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EXPLORE A CAREER FIELD

UX and UI Design

Make digital experiences clearer, easier and more enjoyable.

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CodinglowTechnical depthlowPeople interactionhighCreative workhighBusiness focusmoderate

What is this field really about?

UX designers research what people need and test how a service works. UI designers shape its visual details, including layout, typography and interaction states.

Why it exists

Make products useful, understandable and accessible.

A typical day might include

  • Interview users and understand needs
  • Sketch flows and build prototypes
  • Test usability and improve accessibility

One field. Different roles.

A field is a broad area of work. These roles are specific occupations within it; their responsibilities and coding needs vary.

UX designer

Shapes how a product works around user needs.

  • Map user journeys
  • Prototype and test interactions

UI designer

Designs the visual details and interface states of a digital product.

  • Choose accessible layouts and typography
  • Maintain consistent interface components

UX researcher

Investigates what users need and how they experience a service.

  • Plan and run research sessions
  • Synthesise findings for a product team

What makes it rewarding

  • Blend creativity with evidence
  • Improve experiences for a wide range of people

The realistic challenges

  • Feedback can require substantial rework
  • A polished visual alone is not enough

Possible ways in

  • Build a portfolio showing your reasoning
  • Explore design fundamentals and usability practice
TRY IT BEFORE YOU COMMIT

Redesign a booking flow

Sketch a simpler way to book a fictional community event.

  1. Write the visitor’s goal and constraints
  2. Sketch three screens on paper
  3. Ask a volunteer to try the flow and record friction

You’ll finish with: A before-and-after flow with evidence behind the changes.

FROM CURIOUS TO CONFIDENT

Your beginner roadmap

01

Understand

  • UX designers research what people need and test how a service works. UI designers shape its visual details, including layout, typography and interaction states.
  • Learn: User research, Visual hierarchy, Prototyping.
  • Read an introductory guide from the resource list below.
02

Practise

  • Redesign a booking flow
  • Write the visitor’s goal and constraints
  • Sketch three screens on paper
  • Ask a volunteer to try the flow and record friction
03

Demonstrate

  • Document your project and how you approached it.
  • Share a portfolio page or GitHub repository where appropriate.
  • Explain one decision, one limitation and one lesson.
04

Prepare

  • Explore entry titles such as UX designer.
  • Compare three job descriptions and note recurring skills.
  • Practise explaining user research to a beginner.
  • Find a professional community and read its beginner discussions.

Start learning: W3C: Introduction to web accessibility ↗

Seven days to explore

A small activity each day. Take longer whenever you need.

  1. Day 1Explore what ux & ui design teams do and note one question.
  2. Day 2Learn the basics of user research.
  3. Day 3Plan your project: redesign a booking flow.
  4. Day 4Write the visitor’s goal and constraints
  5. Day 5Sketch three screens on paper
  6. Day 6Ask a volunteer to try the flow and record friction
  7. Day 7Document what you learned and decide whether to explore further.

Keep exploring

Content reviewed: 2026-09-14. Learning routes are possibilities, not employment guarantees.