Do you enjoy checking out the layout and style of application interfaces? A career in User Interface/User Experience design (UI/UX) may be right for you if you enjoy visual design, the psychology of human-computer interaction, and want to learn more about the technical aspects of how a mobile or website design functions. Whether you’re a newbie seeking the proper course or a professional looking to switch careers, we’ll try to address some of the fundamental questions you could have about UI/UX to give you a head start in this unusual and fascinating job.
The Development Of UI/UX Design
One of the first references that may be directly linked to User Experience dates back to 4000 BC and is found in Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese concept that translates as “wind” and “water” and relates to the spatial arrangement of objects relating energy, or “chi” in Chinese. Feng Shui is all about setting up your surroundings (often your furniture) in the most advantageous way, or, to put it another way, the most convenient way to set it up for both beauty and practicality.
UX was also adopted by the ancient Greeks in 500 BC when they designed their instruments and workspaces using ergonomic principles. The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics, also known as human factors, as “the profession that applies both theory and practical methods to design and maximize human well-being and overall system performance.” Ergonomics is the study of how humans interact with other system components. This idea falls under the umbrella of UX.
Toyota developed its renowned human-centered production system in the 1940s so that its employees could work in the best possible conditions and where a machine’s value is determined by its usability, much like UX.
Fast-forward to the 1990s, and “User Experience Architect” was the first job title for cognitive scientist Donald Norman, who had joined Apple. When he intended the phrase “User Experience Design” to encompass a person’s interaction with a system, including visuals, interface, physical interaction, and industrial design, he created it.
The Psychology of Everyday Things, which Norman released in 1988 and then retitled The Design of Everyday Things, is regarded as the holy book of user experience and user interface design.
UI/UX Design: What is it?
Although the terms “UI design” and “UX design” are often used interchangeably, “UI design” primarily refers to how a product looks. Design, colour, positioning, and organization of various elements on a website or application are taken into consideration during UI design, which deals with the aesthetic attractiveness of a product. Utilizing numerous design and prototyping tools on the market, UI designers create the product’s user interface.
UX, on the other hand, has more to do with the psychology of design and seeks to comprehend the product is created from a usability point of view. Based on the user’s viewpoint, they aim to improve the functioning and experience. UX designers are in charge of conducting research and identifying ways to make an interface more user-friendly by discovering answers to the problems users encounter when engaging with it.
Career Opportunities in UI/UX Design
With India’s startup market expanding and a demand for better user experiences and designs in the digital sphere, UI/UX design has a lot of potential in India. Over the past ten years, the demand for UX has reached astounding heights. The number of UX Designer employees will increase by 22% over the following ten years, according to CNN. Any brand you encounter nowadays has a digital presence, and before a customer makes a purchase, they first visit the brand’s website or mobile application, making it the face of the brand and the source of their initial perception of it. Building an experience that will result in enduring relationships with clients has therefore become essential. In the Indian market, many applications and companies have not yet prioritized user experience design, which again presents a pool of potential for newcomers.
The Work Of UI/UX Designers
A profession in UX and UI design requires a lot of creativity, expertise, and experience in interaction design, graphics, usability, web design, and other areas. UX designers research their target users to understand their needs and what they desire from the product. To determine what adjustments are necessary to improve the interface, usability tests are also conducted to see how users engage with the actual product. By creating a path that logically flows from one activity to the next, a UX designer ensures that a product makes sense to the user. They are creating the wireframe, which serves as the foundation for the final design. To create a real product in real-time, UI designers apply the wireframe to the graphic data. This entails defining the colour scheme, the button and icon styles, the box and alert shapes, the fonts, etc. This specification is adjusted and amended until the final product satisfies the organization’s requirements and has the greatest impact. A UI designer ensures that each page graphically conveys that path.
Who Can Pursue UI/UX Design?
Two types of replies exist.
The first is that graduates in fields like the arts, humanities, psychology, business administration, and B.Tech in computer science, IT, or electrical are ideal candidates for this field. Additionally, skilled communicators from IT companies like Graphic Design and other fields like Web Marketers, Content Authors, Marketing Administrators, etc. It won’t take long for website or mobile app developers, video editors, product managers, etc. to enter this industry. The second is a person’s passion and enthusiasm, which inspires them to try something new. Regardless of your subject of study or industry of employment, you can be the greatest candidate to start or switch a career in this market if you enjoy in-depth knowledge, enjoy analysis and critical thinking, and are enthusiastic about contemporary evolving technologies.
Before making a call, understand the fundamentals of UI/UX. Read a few books (such as Don’t make me think of Steve Krug and The Design of Everyday Things by Donald Norman) and UI/UX blog entries from sites like UXplanet, UxGorilla, UsabilityGeek, etc. Before making a choice, make sure to participate in some of the free online courses available on YouTube, Interact, and LinkedIn experts.
How Can You Become A UI/UX Designer In India?
As of today, there is no clear path to becoming a UI/UX designer. A Bachelor of Design (B.Des) degree, particularly one with a concentration in UI/UX or Interaction Design, would provide you with a thorough understanding of the design principles and UI/UX essentials needed to enter this field. As an alternative, you may major in psychology with minors or electives in graphic arts, architecture, or marketing, media science with a focus on digital media, or computer science with a specialization in human-computer interaction. You would also need to get expertise in design software like Figma, Sketch, Invision, etc. in addition to your degree. Years of experience and job comprehension will let you shine in the spotlight and advance your career. It would also be beneficial to have additional knowledge of web programming languages including HTML, XML, CSS, and Java.
Where Can You Study UI/UX Design?
Offline UI/UX practice is required. A full curriculum is available at several universities for their undergraduate and graduate programs. They are perfect for high schoolers who are currently enrolled or recently graduated. Some private academic institutions provide UI/UX courses, internships, and job support. These courses’ lengths vary depending on the institute or university. Working individuals who want to consult their technical and UG/PG students might use these services. Arena Animation Park Street in Kolkata offers a thorough education for both novices and experienced designers searching for a change, making it a wonderful place to start your career in UX/UI design.
