UX Design - Mentor & Author.
9 Jul, 2022
Introduction
Are you wondering how to start your career as a UX/UI designer?
This post gives you an idea of how to approach UX/UI jobs based on your learning methods.
Before reading this post, read my other post on “How to Learn UX UI Design in 2022”. It helps in understanding this post more easily.
Internship Vs Full-time role
In earlier days, internships were not common, but now fashion is rising again. UX/UI internships give you a comprehensive idea of how the job works.
Example: You learn how to deliver designs on time.
Full-time roles in designing have a holistic approach. You learn to fly solo and also be a part of a cross-functional team. It gives you the freedom to explore and make the right choices. But it comes with a lot of responsibilities too. You will decide on the designs, and user interactions and try to enhance the user experience.
Who should take UX/UI internships?
Self-paced learners—start with an internship
If you have been self-learning UX/UI designing, chances are there you have a solid grasp of the concepts at the theory level. Hands-on expertise may not be as polished. So, do an internship for 3-6 months. It is also good if you can try working as a design intern in 2-3 companies before applying for a full-time role.
Internships will help you understand how the operations work in a design team. You will also learn the different collaterals in UX/UI designing. It amplifies your skill sets.
Therefore, you gain real-time exposure to the projects and gain confidence before owning a project in a full-time role.
Bootcamp or Kickstarter—short internships can do good.
It is like the self-paced approach. I recommend you do a 3-6 months internship in 3 companies to understand the UX/UI designing dynamics. It narrows the learning gap between theory and practical abilities.
Who can start full-time UX/UI designing?
Mentor Guided—set for the full-time role
When you learn UX/UI with a mentor’s support, you have hands-on experience in working on a project from scratch. That gives enough practical knowledge for you to apply for a full-time role. It eliminates the need for an internship. Your mentors have already shaped your practical (operational) skills during your case study project. You have the skillset to be a full-timer.
However, in case of low self-esteem, start with a 3-month internship and jump to full-time. A 3-month internship will give you enough confidence and understanding of real-time UX/UI designing.
Conclusion
This blog post is a guide to starting your career as a UX/UI designer. If you have enough confidence to perform as a full-time, you can apply without worrying about your prior learning methods.
I am only recommending some of the best practices.
Let me know in the comment section what your opinion is about internship and full-time roles as UX/UI designer.
