So I’ve redesigned my portfolio…
How I Got Started…
I started out as a Web Designer/Front-End Developer. Since then, things have changed. Generalists became less in demand, and the most interesting projects (and roles) were going to people who were excellent at either design or development. Not only were designers and developers separate roles, companies looked for different kinds of designers – including the role of UX designer.
I chose design.
I love design, and I’ve spent 8 years learning all I can about the subject – courses, books, conferences, even getting my MA part-time. Over the course of those years I’ve learned a lot, and I want to share what I’ve learned with others. That is what OnePixelOut is all about.
How To Become a UX Designer
While a lot of UX Designers come from traditional design backgrounds, artistic ability is not a prerequisite. User Experience design requires knowledge of human behaviour and psychology, design techniques and principles, and an awareness of industry conventions and standards. Sounds complicated, but it’s really not that bad.
For the psychology bit there are a few books that will get you up to speed. It’s the same for design principles, and if you need to know more about conventions and standards, I’ve put a resource together on that topic.
You will need to grasp the basic understanding of design principles. If you want to know more about design principles, I have written an article about it to get you started.
For someone looking to transition over to UX, I have outlined the major topics to cover.
- Learn the Tools : Prototyping and Design
- Read the Books
- Courses and Qualifications
- Your First Design Projects
- Think About Your Design Process
- Create a Portfolio
- Join the Community
- Get Inspired
Now that I’ve outlined the topics, let’s go into each one in more detail.