UX design is a complex blend of human psychology, technology, and visual design that bridges the gap between users’ needs and expectations and the product’s goals. Its purpose is to give users a high-quality experience with a product (digital or physical) that is valuable and pleasant. While it’s important that a product looks great, learning UX design also focuses on making sure a product meets user expectations, anticipates user needs, and is user-friendly. Learning UX design skills and concepts will give you the necessary tools to make more intuitive designs that resonate with users, whether you are looking to work in graphic design, software development, product design, web development, or UX/UI design.
Which UX design skills should I learn first?
Digital interfaces have become part of the fabric of everyday living in modern NYC. UX design is a discipline that allows you to take an active role in creating digital environments that improve the ways people interact with digital products at home, at work, or recreationally. While UX design isn’t always glamorous and shiny, it’s an important part of the digital landscape that would be sorely missed if it went away. Learning this critical skill equips you with skills that can be applied to a range of fulfilling career paths, from software development to web design to product design. UX design skills can also be useful in many of New York’s top industries, including finance and healthcare. There are plenty of opportunities to pair your creativity and UX expertise in an industry that excites you here.
If you’re already working in visual design, learning UX design concepts is useful in improving your designs and making them more user-friendly. Understanding these skills and concepts can also help you better communicate with other design professionals on your team. Knowing the parameters other designers are working within can help you tailor your contributions in a way that moves projects forward with less friction. Optimizing workflows and collaboration can help you improve your work-life balance or even position yourself for career and salary growth.
Leveraging your UX design skills will help you get the eye of notable NYC companies like Citigroup, Verizon, Pfizer, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Each of these companies has a use for skilled UX design professionals to maintain their site designs, mobile applications, in-house communications, and other design projects. Implementing UX design concepts allows them to stay relevant with their users while meeting user expectations. The opportunities are endless in this supercharged job market, with competitive salaries that can reach six figures.
What NYC industries are hiring UX design-trained employees?
Just about every NYC industry is hiring tech staff with UX design training. Government, finance, education, media and entertainment, and other key industries want to enhance and maintain the way users interact with their products. Any industry that has an online presence or uses in-house applications or communications can benefit from the work of a UX Designer. Of course, some industries are hiring more designers than others, but if you’re into media and entertainment, you can find employment with one of NYC’s beloved sports teams, such as the Knicks or Yankees. If you’re into finance, you can work for Merrill Lynch or Venmo. Foodies can work in the food and beverage industry for companies like Diageo or General Mills.
These key NYC industries need UX Designers to help them stay relevant with their clients and customers. UX design helps to create brand loyalty and recognition while also interacting with consumers in meaningful ways that solve user problems and meet business goals. UX design is also a part of creating products that a company’s employees use internally to run and manage the business. Due to the widespread use of digital products in New York and its surrounding areas, there is a high demand for UX design-trained professionals in many of the city’s industries.
Will I need to learn to code?
The short answer is, no, you will not need to learn to code for UX design. The main focus of UX design is placed on researching and solving user problems and designing products. UX Designers understand interface design, information architecture, and interaction design, and they create wireframes and prototypes. While coding isn’t needed for these tasks, it’s a great skill to add to your professional tool kit and can make you a more attractive hire to employers. A basic understanding of front-end frameworks, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can push you to the top of the list in companies like CapitalRx Venmo. Oftentimes, more senior positions would like candidates to be familiar with basic front end coding.
It’s true; you don’t need to learn to code to become a UX design professional. But there’s no denying that it’s a great skill to have whether you’re looking to be a Product Designer at Capital One or a UX/UI Designer at Pearson. It’s easier to earn a six-figure salary earlier in your UX career in NYC when coding is part of your skill set. And coding helps you understand the developer’s constraints so you know what design ideas are actually feasible. You’re less likely to waste your time on a design component that will have to be scrapped and reduce the back and forth between designer and developer. When working on digital products, a general understanding of your developer’s language simply helps you communicate better with your developer.
While learning to code is an extremely valuable and versatile skill in UX design, not learning it won’t keep you from becoming a great UX design professional. There are many jobs offered by some of New York’s top companies (like Walmart, JPMorgan Chase, Google, etc.) that do not require hiring candidates to be proficient coders. Should you decide to learn to code, learning more than just a designer’s trio, incorporating Python or Java will further increase your value as a UX Designer. Companies attempting to be leaner prefer that their employees have skills that can be applied in multiple ways. A UX Designer that can do some of the work of a developer tends to command better wages. Learning to code also puts you at an advantage if you want to get into freelance UX design. You’ll find that there’s a healthy freelance job market for UX designers in NYC. Clients will definitely ask if you have the ability to build your designs.
How much do UX design classes cost?
There’s no one answer to this question. How much UX design classes cost will depend on the duration of the course, the training facility, and the depth and scope of the instruction. Online classes are sometimes less expensive than in-person classes, while self-paced courses tend to be the most budget-friendly. Some classes can cost nothing at all, but these courses aren’t usually very in-depth and can be outdated. Some continuing education courses, like those offered through CUNY, can cost thousands of dollars. There is no standardized rate for UX design classes in NYC. While these courses can cost a lot of money upfront, the long-term investments you receive will pay off over the long-term, especially in a field like user experience design where there is significant demand for new talent.
If you are worried about the cost of a course, you can check to see if the training provider offers any installment or financing plans. Many schools aim to help professionals get the training they need by offering to defer payments or split up the cost of tuition over several months over even years. While all of the programs will have different requirements and structures for their financing options, it pays to check and see what options are available. There are also financial support options available to veterans looking to learn UX design skills.
The best way to find a class is to set your budget before you begin your class search. Once your budget is set, define your goals for learning UX design. If you’re not sure how to set your budget, ask yourself a few key questions. What do you want to learn? Do you only need a UX design overview or an in-depth career-focused curriculum? What do you want to do after the class? Are you looking to join the workforce, or do you want to learn more skills? The answers to these questions will help you figure out what you need to learn, which UX design class is best for you, and how much money you can expect to spend based on what you need to learn.
How hard are UX design classes?
Keep in mind that how difficult or how easy a thing is will vary from person to person. However, most learners find that learning UX design is one of the easier tech skills to learn. If you don’t have a design background, the learning curve can be steep. Leveraging the right resources and support is key to easing the process. UX design classes challenge your ability to understand users/human psychology, develop design sense, think creatively, and problem-solve. Learning any new skill always comes with challenges, but with dedication and patience, you can succeed at learning UX design and reach your learning goals.
Some ways to create a more supportive learning environment include mentoring and using supplemental materials like videos, seminars, blogs, and books. If you thrive in social learning settings, it may be best for you to enroll in an in-person course. If you need time to digest the material and have the space to repeat lessons as many times as it takes to gain clarity, a self-paced course may be a good fit. Do you want 1-on-1 time with a tutor or your instructor? Be sure to choose a UX design course that offers these supports. The key to combating any difficulty you may encounter is knowing what works for you and what doesn’t.
How long does it take to learn UX design?
The time it takes to learn UX design depends on the learning path you take. If you enroll in a college or university degree program, it can take between two and four years to complete. Enrolling in a career certificate program can take from a few weeks to several months to complete. While many UX design positions do not require a degree, degree programs offer a more in-depth and broader education that can give you a more diverse skill set. The advantage of taking a career-focused certificate program in NYC is that you’ll learn the most in-demand skills and be ready to enter the workforce in an entry-level position. Many programs offer job placement services, professional networking opportunities, and resume/portfolio help.
Once you’ve learned the basics of UX design and are putting it to use in your career, you’ll need to continue your education. It may not be in a formal sense, but attending conferences, webinars, and short training can help you stay on the cutting edge of UX design trends and best practices. You can learn from more experienced UX designers in your workplace by reading magazines or books, taking continuing education courses at Queensborough Community College, and joining professional organizations like the New York City User Experience Professionals Association. This is a career field that is still evolving and will require you to regularly invest in your education to stay relevant.
