Level Up: Why UX Design Training is the Ultimate Resume Builder

Level Up: Why UX Training is the Ultimate Resume Builder

FEBRUARY, 2018

Written by Katherine Pendrill & Willie Diaz
Photographs by Andrew Pieroni

In just a few short years, UX design has gone from an under-appreciated profession, embedded in technology teams, to one of the most in-demand disciplines in the creative field. Spurred by the work of psychologists and design pioneers at tech giants like Apple, as well as many award-winning agencies, UX is finally being recognized as a key factor in the success of any project.

Of course, with the increasing importance of UX has come a steady increase in the demand for employees with a knowledge of UX tools and methodologies. It has become painfully evident that the future of most industries is UX and it’s likely that if you’re working in any UX-adjacent role, you’ve considered taking your UX skills to the next level.

the next generation of users won’t know a world before fully-digital interactions

So how do you level up your UX skills? And more importantly, what does it mean to build a UX portfolio?

While going back to school for a degree in design in one way to break into the field, becoming a UX master doesn’t have to be quite so complicated. The journey to becoming a UX designer is rarely linear, and people often come to UX from a variety of backgrounds. This means that whether you’re an engineer, project manager, or an art director, an accelerated UX training program can be a valuable resume upgrade and potential career-defining move.

Below are the top five reasons why upgrading your UX skills can be the best professional move you’ll make this year.

Get to Know Your User

At its heart, the user experience is rooted in an understanding of the user’s wants and needs. UX designers become experts on the user they’re building for. This allows them to decode the root of user problems and create experiences that are useful, usable, and effective.

It is this intimate knowledge of the user that can help fuel better ideas and ultimately help you to create more powerful creative work.

Combine Functionality With Style

As a UX designer, you know how to utilize user-centered principles to create products that solve real issues — without sacrificing aesthetics. By combining functionality and style, you are able to develop products that users actually want to interact with — or better yet, products that users can’t live without.

Make Technology More Accessible

In today’s rapidly evolving world, human-machine interactions are increasingly becoming necessary to perform everyday tasks such as setting the thermostat or taking the subway. Indeed, the next generation of users won’t know a world before fully-digital interactions. If digital is a user’s primary language moving forward, UX and design thinking are going to be critical tools for unlocking these interactions.

Build Value For Your Business

While accessibility and functional design are cornerstones of the user experience, one of the major reasons for the increased demand for UX skills is that good UX is good for business. Designs that are frictionless and visually appealing lead to happier users, an increase in user conversion, and ultimately, better profits.

Keep Pace With a Shifting Job Market

With good UX critically tied to profits, the demand for UX designers has never been higher. In fact, an Adobe survey of more than 500 managers and department heads working in UX design found that 87% of managers said hiring more UX designers is a top priority. Indeed, UX is not only a desired position, but it’s also a necessary skill for many other roles.

The future of UX is already here and if you’re wondering who built it, ask a UX designer — or better yet, become one.

To expand your skill set and learn the foundations of UX design, apply for Miami Ad School’s UX Bootcamp. Applications are due March 15th and classes run April 2nd to July 15th.

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