Table of contents
My journey into the world of UX design is one I would say commenced out of curiosity on how products were built. The positive and negative experiences I had when I navigated different products made me question how these products where built. From my research, I realized that these products had a stage where the entire product was researched, designed, prototyped and tested by potential users before the development process actually began. I love this concept and wanted to be a part of it.
The History of UX Design
In the 1990s, a time when Apple was beginning to shape the future of technology. In the midst of this tech revolution, a cognitive scientist named Dr. Don Norman who understood the importance of crafting products with a laser focus on the goals and needs of users, introduced a term that would become the cornerstone of modern design philosophy: "User Experience" or simply "UX." Dr. Norman's vision extended far beyond the surface. He believed UX encompassed "all aspects of a person’s experience with a system." This included everything from the materials used in its construction to the very interaction itself, whether it unfolded in the physical world or the digital realm. Even elements like the interface, graphics, and orientation were woven into this intricate tapestry of user experience. His philosophy laid the foundation for a paradigm shift in design, one that continues to shape the products and services we interact with every day.
My Educational Journey
My educational journey in UX design with Friends of Figma Africa began with a series of assignments and lessons that gradually sharpened my knowledge of things obtainable in UI/UX design. With their partnership with Careerfoundry, the classes have been impeccable. The classes and tutorials were remarkably well-structured, making the learning process an easy ride. The tutorials provided valuable insights into the rudiments of UX design, and also held me accountable through tests at the end of each section, leaving no room for shortcuts – I had to read, understand, and absorb the material. A simple summary of the lessons on Careerfoundry are given below.
Exploring the Essence of UX
The first lesson, aptly titled "What is UX?" delved into the history of the term, shedding light on its origins and evolution. It went on to explain the pivotal role of UX designers in product development, emphasizing their contribution to digital and other forms of product design. The lesson also explored the processes, collaborators, and core principles that define great UX design, such as usability, usefulness, desirability, credibility, and accessibility.
Navigating the UX Design Process
This lesson took deeper dive into the UX design process, breaking it down into essential steps: research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing. These steps resonated with my experience in advertising, where we follow a similar process of research, brainstorming, creating mock-ups, and executing campaigns.
Further Exploration
Subsequent lessons ventured into more intricate aspects of UX design, dissecting the core processes mentioned earlier. Topics included user research and affinity mapping, user flow and user personas, wireframing and prototyping, and user testing. These lessons unveiled the complexity of UX design and how meticulous planning and execution are integral to its success.
The Multi-Faceted UX Designer
In the fifth class, I learned about how different concepts such as Experience Strategy, User Research, could intersect and complement each other, adding depth and versatility to a UX designer's skill set.
Mastering the Craft
As I progressed through the classes, the importance of both soft and hard skills became apparent. Soft skills like communication, empathy, and organization were highlighted, underscoring the importance of effective collaboration and client interaction. On the technical side, skills such as user research, information architecture, and wireframing were emphasized as critical tools in a UX designer's toolkit.
Designing the Future
The course concluded with a class on designing a UX portfolio and exploring career opportunities in the field, where I learnt that simplicity, clear information hierarchy, and storytelling were key elements in showcasing one's journey from research and ideation to prototyping and the final product.
Conclusion
As I navigate through the terrains of UX design, I hope to continue the contribution towards products where the experience of users are nothing but seamless and beautiful.