How to become a UI designer even without experience

If you can imagine yourself as a UI designer, you have made a good choice. A career in UI design promises creativity, longevity and a good Salary .

There's just one problem: you feel like you can't become a UI designer without relevant experience - but you're not sure how to get the right experience without basic UI design knowledge.

You're stuck in career paralysis mode, and we're here to get you out of it.

In this blog post, we'll show you how to become a UI designer without experience and how to increase your chances of getting hired as a newbie in the field.

1. What is UI Design?

Before diving into the process of becoming a UI designer, let's first understand what UI design entails and how it differs from UX design.

UI design involves designing the graphical layout of a desktop or application taking usability principles into account. Everything users see and interact with - including text, buttons, images, menus, sliders, forms, transitions, animations, and layouts - needs to be designed.

This task falls to UI designers, who design the look, feel, and interactivity of a digital product.

UI designers don't just make websites and applications look pretty. They use design principles (such as Fitts' law ) to ensure that websites are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also user-friendly, accessible and intuitive.

UI designers often work with UX designers to design an end-to-end digital product. While UX designers care more about the usability and functionality of an interface, UI designers are primarily responsible for the look and feel of an interface.

2. Is it possible to get into UI design without any prior knowledge?

In a word: yes.

Like many other technical careers, you don't need any prior design experience or UI design qualifications to have a successful career in UI. What is much more important to employers is whether you have the in-demand skills and mastery of tools required to be a UI designer. Anyone can learn these skills, including you!

All you really need to become a UI designer is a computer that supports the appropriate design software, the time and money to make your career change, and the motivation to make the switch. That brings us to the next section.

3. What steps do you need to take to become a UI designer?

You now know that you don't need a degree or experience to UI-Designer to become. What practical steps can you take to gain a foothold in this field?

Identify your transferable skills

Before you completely dismiss your previous experience, you should realize that a UI designer is capable of more than just designing interfaces. Successful UI designers must be creative, empathetic and motivated. They must also have the ability to accept feedback and communicate their vision and ideas effectively. If you already have some of these qualities, you're on your way to being UI-Designer maybe further than you think.

Expand your technical knowledge

While soft skills are important, you should also learn the basics of UI design and learn some of the basic skills.

Fortunately, there are many ways to expand your technical knowledge and get a taste of the field without necessarily having to make a complete career change.

Start by watching UI design tutorials, reading blog posts, and attending workshops. You can also sign up for a free UI design course where you can dive in and solve practical tasks.

Develop your UI skills

Once you've mastered the basics of UI design, you'll need to continue building your skills and developing your skills.

If you want to ensure that the skills you learn are in demand by today's employers, you may want to invest in a complete UI design bootcamp program. There you will be matched with a dedicated mentor and tutor who can support you along your journey, and you will graduate with a workable portfolio to showcase your newly acquired skills.

4. How can you increase your chances of getting a job?

With any career change, your top priority is to find a job - and UI design is no exception.

As long as you have the verifiable hardware and Soft Skills that employers are looking for, you shouldn't have any major problems getting one Job as a UI designer. However, there are some additional steps you can take to stand out in the job market.

Make contacts

UI design is a thriving field with a growing community of passionate designers.

Instead of firing off your resume, immerse yourself in the industry by attending networking events, webinars, and workshops. Here you have the opportunity to get to know potential employers personally and meet like-minded people who, like you, have entered the industry without any relevant background.
Build a personal brand

Building a personal brand isn’t just for influencers. Finding ways to showcase your superpowers and transferable skills can help you stand out to employers, make connections, and increase your visibility. You'll also show employers that you have an interest in UI design that goes beyond just job hunting.

Don't know how to get started? Read our guide to building a personal brand for your tech career.

Build your portfolio

If you've chosen a bootcamp course, you'll likely have completed it with a professional, job-ready portfolio. But that doesn't mean you have to stop developing it!

The more projects you have in your portfolio, the better your chances of getting hired.

You can take on smaller projects on your own, such as redesigning existing applications or websites, or you can reach out to small businesses and offer your services for free or at a reduced price.

5. What now?

We hope this article helped you overcome your doubts about your lack of experience. If you really want to become a UI designer and have a genuine interest in the discipline, your background should be the last thing stopping you.

Even the most experienced UI designers started somewhere, and many successful UI designers moved into this field from completely unrelated careers.

All you have to do is embark on the journey.