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 bootcamps, degree or self study: what should you choose?

UX Collective

UX bootcamp is not what you think it is

UX Collective

So you want to be a UX designer?

Fuzzy Math

UX design: how to get started (a full guide - 2020)

AJ&Smart

The top online bootcamps for UX design in 2020

UX Planet

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.

UX Designer

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.

UX Researcher

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.

Information Architect

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.

UX Writer

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 Designer

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.

UI Designer

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

The big influx: How entry-level designers are reshaping our industry

UX Collective

Design job websites

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.