Advice for getting started in UX design
Are you looking for help getting into UX as a career? We created this page as a one-stop resource for all of our favorite links from around the web.
UX Education
There are many paths to becoming a UX designer. Understanding the options you have to learn UX will help guide you toward making the choice that best suits you.
Articles
UX bootcamp is not what you think it is
UX Collective
So you want to be a UX designer?
Fuzzy Math
Switching careers to UX design
UX Tools
Online UX Courses
A few courses we've heard good things about. Be sure to vet all your options before committing to a paid program.
- Learn UX Design by Erik Kennedy
- UX Courses by Interaction Design Foundation
- Introduction to User Experience Design by Balsamiq
Types of Jobs
UX encapsulates many different, but equally important jobs and skills. From user researcher to information architect, learn about common roles and what they entail.
This title encapsulates many of the jobs below. As a UX Designer you will be responsible for everything from research reports to wireframes to testing prototypes. This role works in every part of the design process - from conception to delivery.
Researchers primarily focus on speaking with actual users of the experience to gain a better understanding of real issues. They also work to conduct usability tests with users to see if the design works as intended.
Architects focus their work on understanding complex data structures and work to organize them in the most logical and user-friendly way. They can do this through sitemaps, user flows and journey maps.
Sometimes referred to as Content Designers, their primary responsibility is writing the copy for the interface. Everything from navigation labels, to buttons, to modals, work to make sure the words used are clear, concise and easy to follow.
Product designers take on many of the same duties of a UX Designer, but they also help design the interface (UI Designer). They focus most of their work on the entire experience of a single product.
Also known as Visual Designers, these people craft the user interface by creating mockups, design patterns and prototypes. They understand how visual design will guide users through an experience.
Articles
The Ultimate Guide to Understanding UX Roles and Which One You Should Go For
by Teo Yu Siang for the Interaction Design Foundation
The many roles in UX
by Per Magnus Skold
What a UX career looks like today
Nielsen Norman Group
Your UX Career: A Road Trip with Drives and Destinations
by Jessica Ivins
The State of UX Job Descriptions
Nielsen Norman Group
Portfolios
The first thing any potential employer will see of your work is your portfolio. Use the following articles as a guide to creating an eye-catching portfolio to get your foot in the door.
Articles
5 steps to creating a UX-design portfolio
Nielsen Norman Group
Designing a winning UX portfolio
Creative Bloq
A great portfolio isn't a collection of deliverables
by Jared Spool
UX portfolios
Nielsen Norman Group
Templates and Examples
A few articles and software to help kickstart creating your portfolio.
- The Ultimate UX Portfolio Template by UXFolio
- The Only UX Portfolio Template You Need by UX Career Advice
- UX Portfolio Case Study Examples by UX Planet
- Cargo Collective Portfolio Builder
- Semplice Portfolio Builder for WordPress
- Playbook by Dribbble
Your First UX Job
Now that you've landed your first job, there is still much to learn. Continue to seek advice, mentorship and learnings to build a successful career.
Articles
Your UX career a road trip with drives and destinations
by Jessica Ivins
UX design in the real world
by Leon Barnard
Letters to a young UX designer, part 1
by DFP EXD
What I wish I knew, before I became a UX designer
UX Collective
Design Communities
To be successful in design it helps to have peers and mentors to help you along the way.
Find Out What We Think
Office Hours with Balsamiq Mentors
Get advice on your career from senior Balsamiq staff. For free. Pick a mentor below to schedule a call.
Webinar: User Experience as a Career
Watch the recording of our webinar about embarking on a career in UX.