6 Tips for Choosing a Major If You Want to Be a UI/UX Designer

The demand for UX and UI designers has skyrocketed in the last decade. With the digital devices taking a front seat, the job opportunities for UX and UI designers are at an all-time high. In fact, studies show that for every dollar invested in the UX, companies get an ROI of 100. Meaning that companies are likely to invest more in UX and UI in the upcoming years.

According to academic experts who offer essay help at EssayHub, with this intense competition in markets, aspiring designers have to be extra careful in choosing the right course. Here are some tips that will help you narrow down your majors to excel in UI/UX design.

• Understand UI and UX

The first and foremost step is to understand that UI and UX are entirely different elements of design. The job of a UI and a UX designer requires you to put the customer experience at the forefront. UX or User Experience focuses on what a user experiences while using a product.

UI or User Interface, on the other hand, is all about creating the interface, the look, and the layout, such as creating the elements of web pages, a blog, or an app. Both these approaches require you to take into account the technology, the product, and users. Your choice of major will entirely depend on which design specialization you want to pursue.

• Look for Project-Based Learning

UX and UI are highly hands-on-fields. Today, there are several programs that prepare you for a design career right from the start. Unless you get the opportunity and training to combine both theory and practical work, you will not be able to benefit from the program. Look for majors that cover the fundamental principles and techniques, as well as encourage you to apply the skills you have learned.

You also need to focus on building a portfolio, as it is one of the most important things for a designer. Choose a major that will help you create your portfolio, give exposure to different ideas, and polish your creations for the job market.

• Pursue Psychology

If you are leaning more towards UX, then psychology is a major that will be extremely useful for your career. The subject will help you understand human behavior and how to create an interface that will help you provide the best user experience. Knowing how to approach a project with this knowledge could be what sets you apart from the rest of graphic designers. Use your college major to learn about the underlying theories, as well as to gain exposure to social psychology and behavior programs.

• Consider Computer Science

Majoring in computer science will help familiarize yourself with programming, algorithms, structures, and more. While parts of what you learn might not be relevant to user experience, designers with coding knowledge are highly coveted in any industry.

A computer science degree will help you land jobs quickly. Furthermore, your expertise in programming languages can help you communicate better with other developers. If not UX or UI, you can also divert your career choices in any front-end or back-end development role.

• Study Human-Computer Interaction

As the name suggests, HCI is a field of study that emphasizes the design of computer technology, and specifically, on the interaction between humans and computers. Though the subject used to be initially concerned with computers, today, it has evolved to accommodate different devices and interfaces.

HCI will help you get a grasp on some of the most important elements of UX. It will cover aspects of communication, psychology, programming, and design, combining almost all individual courses you could choose. Not surprisingly, a major in HCI is not offered in every college. But if you have the option, it is one of the ideal major choices of UI and UX students.

• Go for Certifications

In keeping with choosing majors, today, students also have the option to directly join a UI and UX course, both online and offline. These programs will have a tailored curriculum. The classes are created to prepare you for the job market right after college. Moreover, there are also online certification programs that you can choose while pursuing other majors in college.

While choosing online courses, make sure that you check their credibility, transparency, and proof of success in the industry. The course should also be able to engage you in projects and provide you with opportunities to discuss your works with experienced mentors.

Most importantly, choose a major that you are interested in. It would be a shame to waste years in order to learn a subject that you do not enjoy. If you like visual design and research, Ui or UX could be one of the most agreeable fields for you. So look into what aligns with your interests and career goals to pick the right majors that you will benefit from.