How to Learn UX Design, Based on Your Learning Style
How to Learn UX Design, Based on Your Learning Style
We all have different learning styles and approaches that work best for us. Maybe you're a visual learner who absorbs concepts by seeing examples. Or maybe you prefer to dive right in and learn by doing.
UX design focuses on how people interact with and experience products and services. As a UX designer, your job is to advocate for the user and optimize the experience.
We’ll share techniques to learn UX design efficiently based on whether you're a visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic learner. Let’s hop in!
We’re also celebrating our 4th birthday! We have a talent collective, free for job seekers to submit their info to be passed along to hiring managers
What’s Your Learning Style?
Visual Learners
If you're a visual learner, focus on video tutorials, illustrations, diagrams, and interactive prototypes. You'll also want to sketch interfaces, create wireframes, and get feedback on your designs.
Auditory Learners
As an auditory learner, you'll benefit from podcasts, audio books, video lectures, and discussing ideas with others. You might also join a local meetup group to talk through UX issues. When designing interfaces, read through them aloud to identify any issues.
Reading/Writing Learners
If you prefer reading and writing, look for in-depth blog posts, online courses with written materials, and books on UX design. You should also start your own blog or Medium publication to synthesize your learning.
Kinesthetic Learners
Kinesthetic learners learn best by doing. For you, the key is practicing UX techniques, building wireframes and prototypes, and undertaking case studies. Follow step-by-step video tutorials to build your skills. You may also benefit from internships or entry-level UX positions where you can gain on-the-job experience.
Visual Learners
Visual learners thrive when they can see concepts represented visually. As a visual learner, you absorb and retain information best through visual representations like images, graphics, diagrams, and video.
Watch video tutorials
There are many free video tutorial series on UX design fundamentals and tools. Seeing the design process in action through video helps concepts sink in.
Study design examples
Analyze websites, mobile apps and interfaces you enjoy using. Notice elements like layout, navigation, and calls-to-action. Ask yourself what makes the experience engaging or frustrating. Try redesigning the same interface to improve the UX.
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Get 50% off Mobbin Pro with code "DESIGNBUDDIES"
Create diagrams and wireframes
Map out user flows, site maps, wireframes and prototypes for practice. The act of organizing elements visually activates visual processing centers in your brain, reinforcing your learning. Share your designs with others for feedback.
Use UX design tools
Get hands-on with tools like Figma. Following video tutorials to build simple interfaces and prototypes.
Auditory Learners
Listen to UX Design Podcasts
As an auditory learner, podcasts are a great way for you to learn UX design concepts and stay up-to-date with trends. We also recently launched our new podcast with Design Buddies, Down The Rabbit Hole!
Listen to UX Audio Books
For auditory learners who prefer longer-form content, UX audio books are a great option. Some examples are The Design of Everyday Things, Don’t Make Me Think, and About Face.
Kinesthetic Learners
If you’re a kinesthetic learner who absorbs information best through hands-on experiences, workshops and internships are ideal ways for you to learn UX design.
Workshops
Workshops are highly interactive sessions where you can collaborate with peers on UX challenges and get guidance from experienced designers. Look for workshops on topics like user research, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.
We host many workshops in Design Buddies! Follow us in Instagram and hop into our Discord to stay up to date.
Internships
Internships are the ultimate hands-on learning experience. Interning at a tech startup or digital agency is a chance to work on real UX projects and get mentorship from industry pros.
If a full internship isn’t possible, see if any local companies would be open to you shadowing their UX team for a day. You can observe designers in action, ask them questions about their process, and get a feel for the day-to-day realities of the job. Short-term job shadowing is a chance to build your network and gain useful insights without a long-term commitment.
We’re also partnering with UX Design Institute to bring you a UX Design Diploma Program (63% Off)!
Learn to think like a UX designer and gain the concepts, skills, and confidence to build your UX career through a university accredited certificate.
Through this program, you’ll: Build a portfolio, earn a university credit-rated certificate, attend weekly feedback sessions, receive career guidance, connect with others through a student community, and get personalized mentor support
For our Design Buddies community only, we have an early bird price of $2500 until April 23 (normally $3950) for the next cohort starting May 2.
Disclaimer: This program is created by UX Design Institute. We have a special lower price for the Design Buddies community.
Conclusion
The key is figuring out whether you're more of a visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic learner. Then choose resources and approaches aligned to your preference.
Don't forget to mix in some variety too so you continue to grow. UX design is an exciting field with so much to explore. Have fun!!
🎉 Design Buddies Events
Design Buddies first conference: Design The Future (Mon May 20, 2024 - online and San Francisco)
Atlanta/Columbus, GA: Creative South Conference (Apr 11-13)
Atlanta: Creatives/Music/Tech meetup (Mon Apr 15, 6 pm)
Design Buddies Founder Grace Ling be in Atlanta Apr 12-17 if anyone would like to hang out!
San Francisco: AI Rabbit Hole Conference (Fri Apr 19, 8 am - 10 pm) 20% Off for Design Buddies
San Francisco: I quit my job party (Sat Apr 20, 4:20 pm)
New York City: Adobe Creative Cafe + Content Creation for Small Businesses (Apr 24, 10 am - 8 pm)
Tuscany, Italy: Women's Retreat with Design Buddies and Ideate Labs - for founders and creatives (Jul 14-20, 7 spots left)
🐰 About Design Buddies
Design Buddies is a community where you level up your design career. Land jobs, improve your design skills, and make friends. We have resources, events, design challenges, job boards, fun perks, and more. Founded by Grace Ling
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🚀 Join our first conference on Mon May 20, happening in San Francisco and Online, Design The Future