Basic Things A Newbie UI/UX Designer Should Know

coming a UI/UX designer seems like a trend nowadays. With the rapid growth in technology, no wonder the satisfaction of internet citizens has gradually become essential for businesses. Although UI and UX are often combined, these two are actually different from each other. Before diving deeper into this field let’s get to know more about some basic things as UI/UX designer.

KNOW THIS BEFORE PLUNGE INTO THE WORLD OF UI AND UX!

UI and UX: The Differences

The major difference between these two can be seen through the scope of work. Let’s talk about the User Experience (UX) part first. Since UX research is the root of everything before you step further to the User Interface (UI) part.

Basically, what a UX designer does is to understand everything related to the user or audiences. This may include the responsibility to understand the target market, interviewing customers, defining user flows, as far as conducting user testing. To do its job, a UX researcher and designer should be proficient in research and strategy. This includes a skill to create strategic plans and information architecture. Having wireframing and prototyping skills are also essential for this role.

As for the user interface (UI), they will be focusing more on the aesthetic aspect and the display of the product. If we take an example for the use of UI in the IT field, its job is to transform wireframes from UX into eye-pleasing visual design. That’s why, as a UI designer, you will be focusing more on design research, visual design, branding, and graphic development, as well as a design system. As a UI designer, you have to make sure about the responsiveness and the interactivity of your design too.

The Tools

There are so many tools you could use to help make the jobs done. Even in this digital era, there are some web-based tools you could use to support your job without sacrificing your device memory for a new software installment. Here are some recommendations you could explore more for your UI and UX professional journey.

• Adobe XD
  You must be familiar with this software. Launch by Adobe Inc, you can use Adobe XD for free! Another advantage of using this tool, because it is connected to Adobe Creative Cloud, your works will be automatically saved. As long you have an internet connection of course. The features in this software are kinda similar to the other Adobe products. So, if you are familiar with other Adobe software, using Adobe XD would be easy.
• Zeplin
  This prototyping tool is one that has complete features. Using Zeplin, you can provide a super-detailed prototype for your developers team. This may include providing some information for the dimension needed for every component, font uses, and even RGB codes for precise color. To make it even easier for developers, it allows you to put CSS codes and stuff for the assets.
• ClickUp
  This project management tool will help you and your team organize the tasks. With the cloud-based feature, this tool is also able to give real-time updates for the team, so miscommunication would be avoided. Although this tool is habitually used for teams, ClickUp also offers some features that would be helpful when you need it as a solo user. This is what makes this tool exceptionally practical.
• UserTesting
  End-user satisfaction is the main goal for a UI and UX designer. Therefore, the user's opinions are important. Using this tool, allows you to get feedback from users globally. You can even choose your specific target audiences to make the data you get more precise. Not to mention, this tool allows you to get feedback for almost every product. From digital products like mobile apps or websites, up to physical products like cosmetics and body care.

Expertise in UI/UX

Now after you know about the difference and the tools needed for UI/UX designer, the next thing you need to know is about skills! Skills are supporting things to create your masterpiece. Let’s dig deeper into what kind of skills do you need to be a UI/UX designer.

• Proficiency in Various Tools
  Tools held crucial things in realizing your works. Of course, you need to be proficient in UI/UX prototyping tools like Adobe XD or Figma. But having proficiency in other tools is also important. For example, if you have some ability in manipulating images through Photoshop or draw cute illustrations in Adobe Ai, it would be an advantage for you if you need specific visual assets.
• Research
  Users’ satisfaction is the main goal for UI/UX designers. Therefore, having research skills would be a trump card. Through research, you can know what users’ wanted and needed. You can also find out about users’ behavior on various platforms. Knowing this will help you to adjust some features that might be needed.
• Additional Coding Skills
  Although this is not mkamutory, nevertheless it would be great if you have additional coding skills. Coding skills would help you to communicate better with the developer team. Some coding skills that you might need as UI/UX designer are HTML 5 and CSS 3.

All the things we talked about here are just the surface of becoming a great UI/UX designer. As a starter, you could try to build your portfolio first. After making a portfolio what to do next? Of course, land your first job as UI/UX designer. For you, brilliant digital talent and creative mind, Radya Digital is currently looking for a talented UI/UX designer. Are you the one that we are looking for? Head into Radya Digital Career for more information!