Why Graphic Designers should learn UX

Graphic designers should learn UX because it benefits their career, provides professional growth opportunities, and expands their versatility while using the foundation they have built in graphic design. Whether wanting to expand beyond visual design or making a complete transition to user experience work, an experienced graphic designer has many skills that provide a solid foundation for working in user experience.

Differences between UX Design and Graphic Design

Graphic design is generally focused on presentation of information, typography, color choices, and overall aesthetics. User experience design includes many of these areas and also addresses what a user wants to accomplish, the type of device they may be using, and the environment where they will be interacting with an app or website, and the needs of the business or organization. In short, the visual design is only one aspect of an entire UX process, as the visual appeal of a website does not speak to its effectiveness for either the user or the business that created it.

UX growing field within graphic design

One reason graphic designers may consider learning UX design is because of the growing need for user experience design professionals. The number of available UX jobs continue to grow rapidly and at a rate that outpaces general graphic design roles. Another reason graphic designers may consider learning UX is that their designs can impact a large number of indivual in a tangible way, as UX is a practical application of design.

Can a graphic designer become a UX designer

Graphic designers can become UX designers with additional training and experience. Whether through a UX certificate program, or individual UX courses, most professionally trained graphic designers are well equipped to make the transition to UX design.

UX classes for graphic designers

When migrating from graphic designer to UX design, UX training can helps with this transition. Graphic design and UX design have a great deal in common, and the right UX courses can help take the communications and visual design skills and help apply these to the user experience process. While visual design is different from UX design, there is overlap in certain areas. While UX requires many items that are often not involved with graphic design, such as research, planning, and testing, both UX design and visual design emphasize the clear presentation of information. Understanding the need for visual clarity and typography can help with building an app or website.

How UX training helps graphic designers transition to UX

UX classes help to take the lessons learned in studying graphic design and apply them within the user experience framework helps to solve challenges and accomplish goals. Without learning about UX, nice looking websites and apps may be ineffective or difficult to use. Proper UX training helps designers to understand the planning, architecture, and needs of a site or app before starting the visual design phase. This can take the form of individual UX workshops, or a longer-term UX certificate program or UX bootamp which provide a more comprehensive approach to learning user experience skills.