“UX designer” is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after job titles in tech. Being a UX designer is rewarding, challenging, lucrative and interesting. You get to work with people but also quite a lot with software as you design compelling apps and website experiences. Being a UX designer requires an impressive mix of creative, technical, and social skills. You need to be as comfortable with Adobe and Sketch as you are with interacting with a live group of users and analyzing their interactions with your mockups, prototypes, and wireframes. It’s certainly not an easy job, but if you love the work you won’t care that it’s challenging.
What does a UX designer do?
If you’re considering a career as a UX designer, you’ll want to know how UX designers work on a day-to-day basis.
UX designers tend to work as part of a wider product team, and will often find themselves bridging the gap between the user, the development team, and key business stakeholders. As a UX designer, it’s your job first and foremost to advocate for the end user or customer. Whether you’re designing a brand new product, coming up with a new feature, or making changes to an existing product or service—the UX designer must consider what’s best for the user and the overall user experience. At the same time, you are also responsible for making sure that the product or service meets the needs of the business.
As a UX designer, you’re there to make products and technology usable, enjoyable, and accessible for humans. UX designers tend to work as part of a wider product team, and will often find themselves bridging the gap between the user, the development team, and key business stakeholders. As a UX designer, it’s your job first and foremost to advocate for the end user or customer. Whether you’re designing a brand new product, coming up with a new feature, or making changes to an existing product or service—the UX designer must consider what’s best for the user and the overall user experience. At the same time, you are also responsible for making sure that the product or service meets the needs of the business.
UX designer can be expected to perform, including:
Conducting user research
Creating user personas
Determining the information architecture of a digital product
Designing user flows and wireframes
Creating prototypes
Conducting user testing
What’s the Difference between a UX Designer and UI Designer?
UX and UI are not areas to skimp on. Regardless of the definitions and division of labor, they are both essential parts of product development and delivery. Research shows that customer experience drives revenue growth. UX and UI are an investment in the product or service. The product or service is what customers is spending money on. If spending their money does not reap the reward they are looking for, they will shift their investment to a product that does.
Whether a company is being sourced or an employee being hired, it is essential to keep in mind that both UX and UI theories and practices are dynamic in the marketplace. The question needs to be asked: How do you stay abreast of the current UX and UI theories and practices? The answer should come quickly and easily if they are engaging in any form of continuing education. Keep in mind that these terms are still used interchangeably, and that is not likely to stop anytime soon. Do not assume that the terms are being used correctly by the person using them. Even if the person is an expert in the field, he or she may have a different philosophy regarding the division of labor between a UX and UI designer. Drill down to gain clarity. The real goal is finding out what they want. There is no need to prove people wrong or argue semantics. Language is about understanding each other. If you understand each other, that is all that matters, and both UI and UX rely on the efficiency of understanding.
What are the Traits of a Great UX Designer?
· UX designers are problem solvers
UX designers, by their very nature solve problems and seek solutions that creatively align user needs and business goals.
· UX Designers have an aptitude for learning
This aptitude speaks to the natural desire for learning and need for proficiency in the design discipline. In a field as broad and cross-disciplinary as User Experience, continual learning and upskilling is very necessary3. UX designers are good communicators
Being a good communicator is absolutely critical to success in a UX design role. In user testing, one needs to able to make participants feel comfortable so they are more willing to share their feedback.
· UX designers are great listeners
This skill is not only important for advancing your career but building meaningful relationships. Good listening means being able to read and be aware of both the verbal and no-verbal messages.
· UX designers are analytical
A UX designer who is naturally analytically inclined will be able to justify every design decision based on best practices and data. This not only means an affinity for data driven design and metrics but the ability to also draw conclusions and themes from qualitative user feedback.
· UX designers pay close attention to detail
They say design is in the details but detailed work is not easy. It takes reverts, reviews and concentration. Detail-oriented strengths give you the ability to work better, to be more effective and to minimize the risk of making major mistakes.
Conclusion: -
· In a nutshell, UX design is all about the response, emotions and connections that your users make while experiencing your products.
· It covers a number of areas but aims to enhance your user experience, making sure that your target audience has the shared and desired response to your products.
· It is an important part of your business. Positive UX experiences can bring a number of benefits, including an increase in productivity, sales, and customer satisfaction.
· At Purpose Media, we see the world through your customers’ eyes. We blend creativity and technical expertise with business acumen to connect companies with their ideal customers.
· Our proposition is to help our clients deliver a memorable experience to their customers, and gain a return on their investment in our great range of services.