Why learn UX design?

User experience (UX) design is a fast‑growing and in‑demand field that focuses on building and maintaining digital interfaces to provide a good experience for all users. UX Designers and other professionals who work in this area spend their time researching and conducting user‑behavior testing, as well as fine‑tuning their products based on the results. Learning UX design is necessary not only for landing a career in the field but also for opening doors to more extensive training in areas like data science. Regardless of your long‑term professional goals, having strong UX skills is valuable when it comes to building a résumé and making network connections.

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Why are UX skills in high demand?

While many fields claim they are in demand, UX design is one that has the data to support those claims. The Bureau of Labor Statistics, one of the most prominent providers of up‑to‑date career data, states the overall demand for professionals in UX and Digital Design is higher than the national average at an impressive 8%, which equates to about 16,500 openings for qualified professionals each year. While exact figures range between locations, a career path with such large anticipated growth gives strong signals toward long‑term potential and overall stability.

Another reason why UX skills remain so crucial across industries is how fast tech and digital platforms continue to evolve. Users expect to interact with platforms and services that are intuitive and simple to navigate, and as tech continues to change over time, their needs will only become more and more specific. People want their digital experiences to feel effortless, but that requires taking feedback from all consumers to find common ground for what's working and what needs to be updated. The professionals who work in this field have an uncanny ability to not only anticipate user behavior but also to take their feedback and translate that into actionable insights.

Industries that hire UX Designers

With nearly every type of business relying on digital tools to connect with their audience or deliver services, UX Designers can find work in a range of areas. It comes down to each designer's personal preference on what type of industry work they want to contribute to and the most prominent companies in their area for those who work in person. However, many UX Designers have the ability to land a remote job thanks to the nature of the work, allowing them to collaborate on projects no matter their location. This unmatched flexibility creates a clear path to a wider range of job opportunities that align with designers' personal interests and career goals.

Some of the most common industries for professionals with UX design skills include:

• Tech & software development: Professionals in these industries work on improving user interfaces for apps and software programs
• Education and virtual learning: Designers help build and test online learning platforms for virtual students
• Health & wellness: UX professionals work on patient portals and medical apps for both patients and medical providers
• Finance and FinTech: UX professionals in finance simplify digital banking platforms and make sure the tools are secure
• Media and entertainment: Media-based UX professionals maintain streaming platforms and gaming apps

These industries are just a snapshot of the vast number of fields in which professionals with UX skills can start their careers. Specific roles and opportunities will vary based on factors like location and experience, among others.

Job outlook and salary range for UX Designers

Along with the demand for UX Designers being anticipated to grow over the next decade, the average salary in related roles is impressive compared to the national average. In fact, UX and Digital Designers in the US earn around $93,000 annually, according to the BLS, while the country’s average is about $48,000. However, in areas like NYC, Los Angeles, and Boston, that average jumps to well over $100,000 per year, according to platforms like Indeed and Glassdoor. These figures will vary in different locations across the country, but it’s clear that this role provides solid wages and a strong outlook when it comes to securing a long‑term career.

Ways to learn UX design skills

If you’re considering a career in UX design, one of the most important steps in landing a new job is arming yourself with a strong set of professional skills. Aspiring designers can learn the fundamentals of design as a whole on their own through self‑training and by taking advantage of free resources on platforms like YouTube or LinkedIn Learning, but making a career change will require a bit of formal training as well. There are schools like Noble Desktop in NYC that offer both in‑person and online UX design courses designed to take complete beginners from novices to career‑ready. Noble Desktop’s UX & UI Design Certificate is a comprehensive training option that comes with added perks like one-on-one mentoring. This school also publishes free seminar videos on its YouTube page to help supplement student learning. You can also learn more in this guide to UX design classes, covering up-to-date offerings and trusted providers.

Another way to gain valuable UX design skills is to join an online community like Friends of Figma, where designers can get together and learn from one another in a supportive environment. This organization hosts both in-person and virtual events and even has an opportunity for participants to start their own local chapter. In addition to official groups, social media platforms like Reddit have groups where designers can post their work, gain feedback, and form network connections. 

Regardless of how you choose to learn UX design, arming yourself with a strong toolkit of skills is one of the most practical ways to enter this field with confidence. Combine this with a certificate from a trusted training school, and you’ll be ready to land a new role or even advance your current one with this proven expertise.