This article mainly shares some personal experience guide for UI designers to get started, hoping to bring some help to designers who are new to the industry!
Writing in the front
With the continuous development of the Internet, especially the continuous maturation of the mobile Internet, visual designers have also carried out iterations and subdivisions. The resulting UI design has also increased from a sudden explosion to a flat one. Compared with previous years, the keyword UI has become commonplace. With the continuous saturation and iteration of the market, it also brings new challenges to many designers.
While the barriers to entry for UI design are getting higher and higher, there are still a lot of new designers coming into the industry. Recently, I often meet many zero-based partners to consult whether they can still enter the industry, or how to learn and improve.
Based on the recent problems encountered, in order to sort out the professional ability needs of design partners who are about to enter this industry, I have specially combed the professional knowledge outline of UI design entry threshold, hoping to bring some help to you.
Share the outline
1. Daily work of UI designer;
2. What software do you need to master?
3. What skills do you need?
How do you need to edify yourself;
5. What habits do you need to develop?
6. The importance of deliberate practice;
7. Summary.
1. UI designer’s daily work
To get started with UI design, a UI designer needs to have a clear idea of what he or she is responsible for doing on a daily basis. So as not to find that such a working state is not what they want after entering the line, which consumes time and energy.
The following is an analysis of UI designers’ ability requirements from different types of companies, hoping to help you understand their daily work.
1.1 small and medium-sized teams
In some small teams, there are usually few manpower, sometimes there is only one designer, and the requirements for the professional ability of designers are relatively low, and the breadth is relatively large. Your daily work needs are complicated, and everything related to vision may become your work content: mobile interface design, web design, operational activity design, graphic design, other visual support, etc. Need you are a polyhedron, where you need to be able to top at any time, the requirements of professional ability is comprehensive, not necessarily very in-depth, sometimes even PPT beautification is your job responsibility.
If you have a product that goes live, it’s good to have a product manager, or even a small team owner who is the product, come up with a rough idea, and you do the rest. So to survive in a small or medium-sized team, you need to master a lot of things, in other words, can improve your actual experience in many aspects.
To sum up, it is not recommended for new designers to join too small a team. If you are the only designer, it will be difficult to make progress. You are draining your ability storage and there is no old driver to teach you new skills and experience.
Summary: in small and medium-sized teams you need to have professional breadth, from the most comprehensive needs you may encounter these work: logo design, publicity material design, activity page design and promotion needs design, mobile terminal interface design, web design, basic photography and photoshop, PPT beautification and so on all visual support; Extension skills may require product thinking and interactive output.
1.2. Semi-mature teams
Semi-mature teams usually have three or more designers and a design-specific leader, either a small project team or an independent team. Generally equipped with at least one senior or senior designer, so as to lead the team to complete the requirements independently.
In addition to professional breadth, semi-mature team designers also have their own independent direction. Some UI designers prefer product direction. In addition to fulfilling project requirements, they also need to constantly track product feedback and optimize their performance at the design level. A lot of times it doesn’t work as well as it should, and we try to push the sensory experience a little bit during the iteration.
Summary: In addition to visual design skills, you need to be able to complete projects independently, take the initiative to follow up on products, and find the direction of optimization. In this way, you can have better online works, otherwise, after going out, there is no online works to take hands.
1.3 mature team
Mature teams are usually fully equipped with designers. Generally, most of the designers recruited are senior designers who can independently complete the project requirements. Each designer has his or her own business sector and values the ability of professional depth.
In addition to giving full play to project requirements, it is also necessary to be good at summarizing and sorting out design experience, which can help improve the overall design ability of the team.
Summary: Need to have a good professional depth, there will be an independent design stage for you to play. We should study design methodology, sum up design experience, and help new designers to strengthen their professional skills. Research products, can put forward the direction of design optimization, design planning, etc.
1.4. Team design workflow
The work flow will be different because of the specific situation of the company, the regulation is dead people are alive, change is difficult to control. You need to combine their own team factors, selective adoption.
1.5. Technical docking process for UI designers
The following is to show you some of the process of the team designers docking technology, the completion of the design is only a part of the work, the most important is the final output of technology.
Each team has its own docking processes. The number and number of processes, simplicity and complexity are secondary. Ultimately, they all hope to control each checkpoint in a more standardized way so that the products can be successfully launched and meet expectations.
2. What software do you need to master
Software operation ability is the most basic requirement for you to enter the design industry. If you can’t solve the software foundation, no matter how many ideas you have, you can’t restore and present them well, which is equivalent to fantasy. Software is just a tool. Knowing software doesn’t mean you know how to design, but to know how to design, it’s a level you have to beat. Let’s take a look at what you need to know at least.
2.1 Adobe Photoshop (PS for short)
This is a priority to learn the software, the popularity of a very high software, as long as the master, learning some software will be of great help. For UI designers, this software is mainly used for: interface layout design, image processing and synthesis, illustration creation, operation requirements design and so on.
Now there are a lot of PS tutorial books on the market, buy the case of actual combat, the best is the recent number of years. Generally follow the above cases to do, at the beginning of the basic chapter to learn one by one, after mastering the basic operation, the following cases can be skipped, different cases tell the same tool operation, you can skip some repetitive exercises, quickly complete more tool learning.
2.2 Adobe Illustrator (AI for short)
AI software, is a vector graphic design software, in vector illustration, icon design, LOGO graphic design, font design, typesetting and other aspects have very big advantages, with PS software will greatly improve our work efficiency. Learning method and PS, as long as you learn PS software first, then this software will learn twice the result with half the effort.
2.3, the Sketch
This is a lightweight, easy-to-use vector design tool, in the UI design industry is also very hot software in recent years. The recently updated version 54 has realized the original Chinese version, bringing more convenient operation to all designers. Once you have a basic understanding of PHOTOSHOP and AI software, this software should be very easy to get started in a week or two. Designers who haven’t used it may not feel much, but you’ll like it when you touch it.
Because it currently only works on Macs, it is also limited. If you don’t have a Mac computer and want to learn, you can also learn to use a WIN computer with dual system. In this way, you can save the country and lay a solid foundation.
Official: https://www.sketch.com/
2.4, Adobe XD
Adobe XD is a design tool for UX/UI designers who can use it for mobile application and web design and prototyping. As a product of the Adobe family, it works closely with other software, increasing the efficiency of design coordination. It can be installed on both Mac and Windows computers, but you’ll need the minimum version requirements for the major operating systems.
Website: https://www.adobe.com/cn/products/xd.html?promoid=PYPVQ3HN&mv=other
2.5, Axure RP
Axure RP is a professional rapid prototyping tool. Although some corporate interaction designers are using Sketch, Axure RP is still the choice of many interaction designers. Axure RP is used by business analysts, information architects, product managers, IT consultants, user experience designers, interaction designers, UI designers, etc. This is a popular software, the entry is relatively simple, want to go deeper will be more difficult, as a UI designer, the basic operation of this software or need to master.
Although there are many third-party platform tools on the market now, this is software. Perhaps third-party platform tools are more convenient, but we still need to have this foundation for learning software. In case of team constraints in the future, we will not be at a loss to start.
Website: https://www.axure.com
2.6 Dynamic effect design software
In recent years, the requirements for dynamic effect production ability are becoming more and more common, and many recruitment requirements are mandatory for this ability. Especially, with the coming of the next 5G era, micro-effect auxiliary product experience will be more comprehensively popularized, and the dynamic effect requirements for UI designers will be more common at this time.
There are more apps and platforms that implement motion Effects: Adobe After Effects (AE), Principle, Adobe Flash, Pixate, Origami, Hype 3, Flinto, and more. Generally speaking, I prefer AE software, which is not limited by operating system, and there are many learning resources on the market. Principle is also popular, and there are many designers in use now. However, as it only supports Mac computers, there are some limitations.
Dynamic software is relatively difficult to learn, a case may take several hours, many small partners always insist on down. No matter how difficult it is, you have to break it in the future time.
2.7 mind mapping software
Mind mapping, also called mind mapping, is an effective graphical thinking tool to express divergent thinking. It is simple but effective, and it is a practical thinking tool. No matter what you do, you need to get your mind out first so that you don’t get confused, you can execute more clearly, and you can better get through the process before and after the project.
Mind mapping software is available, but there are also online tools such as: Mindnode, MindManager, XMind, Popplet, FreeMind, MindMeister, Baidu Brain Map, MindLine, etc., are not listed here. You can find many of them by searching the key words mind mapping software. Personally, I often use Mindnode. You can choose according to your own habits, as long as you can achieve the result you want.
2.8 document editing tools
Writing ability is a skill that senior/senior designers need to develop constantly, regardless of the size of the team, design summary is always inevitable, it is best to develop the habit of professional experience output. There are many tools for writing articles, such as Pages, Microsoft Word, WPS OFFICE and other software, as well as online tools such as Graphite Document, Evernote and Youdao Cloud Note.
Personally, I usually use Pages to write on my computer. If IT is mobile, I use graphite document to write, and then sync to the local end of my computer. Sometimes when I have inspiration or spare time, I can use my mobile phone to write and record my fragmented thoughts. Many of my articles are written on my mobile phone and then sorted out for illustration.
We should be good at using their fragmented time to organize thoughts, but also to constantly output their own some insights and experience. Reading for the sake of writing is a way of active absorption, which is better than reading passively.
2.9. Proposal Presentation tools
In the company, we often need to make design proposals to leaders or demanders. If you still make a few pictures at random and send them to them, it tells you that such a professional attitude is not the attitude of a professional designer. No matter how big or small a project is, a simple design proposal presentation should be made. At the very least, you should make a three-page powerpoint presentation.
Make PPT tools according to the operating system and people’s habits will be different, mainly: Keynote, PowerPoint, WPS Office and so on. Personal commonly used is Keynote, can also be combined with some design software, for example, design some small ICONS can be directly copied into keynote for typesetting, some images can be quickly placed, magic movement in animation effect is also good.
The above are just some common software tools, according to the different industry we may also encounter other tools, I hope you usually operate more, the basic content must be skilled, so as to achieve their own creative.
3.0 efficiency tool – Copy iDoc
Design work involves a lot of work and a huge workload. Under the same level of design power, whoever is more efficient is more likely to succeed. It is always necessary to improve efficiency. When it comes to one of the most exhausting tasks for designers, design delivery is one that involves preparing notes and cutting diagrams, which can be used with tools to get rid of manual repetitive mechanical work. Mieke iDoc is a more efficient collaborative design platform, supporting automatic labeling and one-key cutting, which can well free hands. On this basis, mieke iDoc’s manual labeling can freely supplement the parts that automatic labeling cannot convey, which can be delivered to the development and design needs more accurately. This is a more considerate place. IDoc’s flexible workflow allows product managers, designers and development engineers to overcome communication barriers and flexibly adapt to different team management styles, making collaboration more efficient and free.
Liverpoolfc.tv: idoc. Mockplus. Cn
3. What skills do you need
In addition to basic software skills, you need more soft skills. Software skills don’t necessarily mean design skills. Let’s take a look at what skills you need.
3.1. Product Direction
If we think in the direction of products, we need to have basic product thinking in addition to satisfying visual design. Usually, the main functional direction of these UI designers is product design. Our design is to solve user needs and guide users to achieve their goals through design. It’s not just about producing beautiful designs, it’s about meeting user experience and business needs, you need to play with the product, and you need to strengthen your interaction design skills.
Recommended reading: “Broken cocoon into a butterfly”, “the method of user experience”, “simplicity is the highest”, “tencent UED experience design journey,” U point “, “the heart has the”, “user experience factor”, “the design psychology”, etc., many books on the list, you can look at some of the latest dynamic (some) platform, the book is not much, It’s whether or not you absorb the transformation.
3.2. Visual UI presentation level
With the concept of product thinking and interactive experience, the design should also be aesthetic and enhance the user’s sensory experience. As the saying goes, the truth is obvious and the work is done in a mess, which is not suitable for design execution. If you lead a team in the future, you can prefer management and concept transmission, as long as you have the aesthetic ability of acceptance and the ability to control the project. Now, you need to get the design right.
Keep an eye out for new design trends and keep track of iterations on big platforms to keep your designs up to date. Daily practice should also be strengthened to improve design efficiency, and new design expressions can be used in the practice draft at any time, so that future projects can immediately follow up.
3.3. Improved operation design ability
While many UI designers don’t want to design operations, the reality is harsh. A feature page design, a banner design, a promotional image and so on are inevitable, you need to have basic operational design ability.
3.4 Illustration design ability
Although I know you are not trained, can not draw is your reason. But, in the eyes of the demand side, I want results, and the rest is your business.
Illustrations are all practiced. I believe we have all heard of the story of Da Vinci’s drawing of eggs. Techniques need a little persistence and repeated reinforcement. Emotional illustration can improve the affinity between products and users, which is also the basic ability of UI designers.
3.5. Brand thinking and foundation
No matter what product design is to convey the service value of a brand, in the homogenization of the present, many products are from the same plastic surgery institution, we would be silly to tell apart the name.
In the future, UI designers not only need the ability of product interaction, but also need to constantly reflect on how to design alienated products, and we need to explore the expression of brand characteristics.
How do you need to nurture yourself
Before, there was a popular TV drama Called “The Story of Yanxi Palace”, in which there was a brief episode about a feeling in the process of practicing flower arrangement. The protagonist from the folk was practicing flower arrangement, but no matter how hard she tried, it was difficult to reach the first queen born in a big family, because she had been nurtured in such an environment since childhood.
Therefore, the appeal of techniques can be improved in a short time through hard work, but the feeling, perception, aesthetic and vision of design need a certain period of time.
4.1. Good works need to be absorbed and transformed
Many designers ignore the absorption and transformation brought by “seeing”. As the saying goes, seeing more excellent works can certainly improve your aesthetic appreciation and vision.
However, not to let you see enough a day, many designers know this truth on three points of heat, today stay up to collect, and even want to collect thousands of works of others to move to their hard disk, thinking that owning represents absorption. Look, you need to step by step, don’t care how much you see today, but to remember how much, how much analysis into the transformation, adhere to the absorption of every day to gradually form memory and transformation.
4.2. Experience changes in your life
Creativity comes from life, there is a certain truth. Without the experience of life you cannot experience the description of perception imposed upon you by others. You cannot experience it until you have experienced it.
If you don’t go to a luxury store, how will you know the original design is worth the price? If you don’t go to the top of the mountain to shout, how can you know that the city you live in from this Angle will have a different experience? If you don’t shop in a big box store, how do you know the atmosphere is different depending on the environment…
4.3. Use weekends to edify art cells
Do you play games at home on weekends, go shopping in groups, sleep at home and so on? At ordinary times, you are busy with work. Even if you watch things and study, it is also in the form of the Internet. Saturdays and Sundays are opportunities for you to get in touch with the outside world, so it’s important to make the most of them.
Art galleries: You can take advantage of weekends to visit art galleries and pay attention to the developments of art galleries. You must seize the opportunity when there are exhibitions. Art cells need to be cultivated, not just by looking at works on the Internet. Only by close contact with paintings and feeling the life and stories of artists can you continuously improve your art perception ability.
Museums/Urban planning galleries/galleries, etc. : Different cities have various art galleries, as well as art exhibitions and so on. This is where you get exposure. Galleries can view some of the artists’ work and get an estimate of the value of the artwork, so it’s well worth the occasional stroll.
Exposition: Some large exhibition halls in the city will often hold various kinds of exposition, not necessarily design, art related only to see, other types can also feel the change of technology, industry and so on.
Art theme park: some make the art of the park is also worth the visit, such as the 798 art district, the palace, M50 creative park, iron ring international art district, west lake valley of creative, original art communities songzhuang, 22 yuan street art zone, 800 art district, etc., every city has a lot of such a place, not list one by one here. These are full of art and life of the combination of the scene, I believe that can certainly bring you a different experience.
There are many different types of outdoor venues, and if you change your habits of sleeping in and staying indoors, you can find more interesting life experiences.
4.4. Be active in absorption rather than passive acceptance
If you want to cultivate yourself, make it a habit and a part of your life. This is active absorption, if passive acceptance is doomed to be forgotten.
What habits do you need to develop
There are many ways to improve your life style and career skills, but the way is that rigid people are alive, forming habits is the most important.
5.1. You need to get into the habit of getting up early
While you may feel like the middle of the night is your inspiration moment, don’t overstretch your body. Being healthy will keep you doing what you love for a long time. I have a friend who always gets up at 5:30 every day to read and write, and calls everyone in the group at regular intervals. Such a good habit also helps her gain the working environment she wants. Hopefully from tomorrow you can stick to a few habits and we can all have a good professional and healthy body.
5.2. You need to get into the habit of exercising
Although I seldom exercise ~ haha ~, but in order to keep us always “young” body, let’s work together! I also try my best to climb mountains with my family every weekend for exercise, go out to sweat, and form a habit of finding that I miss the quiet air in the mountains every time.
5.3. You need to get into the reading/information habit
We can’t have output without absorption, as there will always be an end. Keep reading and study regularly. Give yourself a reading plan. For example, one book a month should be the minimum. Also, keep an eye on what’s going on in the industry, so you’re a young person who keeps up with The Times.
5.4. You need to develop the habit of writing
A lot of designers look at writing and say that they are not professional enough. Writing is not only the output of professional articles, some experience, reading notes, life perception and experience sharing can also be summarized and output. I know a friend often output some feelings and reading notes, a year output more than one hundred thousand words of summary, she has developed such a habit. In fact, writing is not difficult, the difficult part is that you always think you can not, so you never try, I hope to see your first post after today.
Of course, there are more habits to develop, but I’m not going to list them here, but I hope you can use these habits to organize your minutes and make them count.
6. The importance of deliberate practice
No matter how well a reason may be said, practice is the main thing. Otherwise, we will be the head of reason and the work will be a mess.
6.1 deliberate practice begins with time planning
Break these goals down and complete two interfaces per day. Two weeks is enough time to complete a set of works in your spare time. The first week to sort out the outline of the article, two weeks to fill in the content, the third week to map and review, output an article a month is no problem.
6.2 break out of your comfort zone
The goal of deliberate practice is to constantly produce works that break through your own bottlenecks, not always stay in your comfort zone. Through deliberate practice, force yourself to get out of the discomfort, so every work you produce should be different from the last one, make up for its shortcomings, and continue to mature and stable.
6.3. Strengthen interaction and communication
Never do it in isolation. You need to interact with more designers. Many designers like to work on their own. Although you may be introverted and don’t like to communicate, the purpose of deliberate practice is not only to improve your professional skills, but also to change your workplace habits.
7, summary
As designers’ abilities continue to evolve and the industry matures, the requirements for UI designers to get started are getting higher and higher. Now the market is saturated with junior and intermediate designers, so we need to improve our ability at more levels.
At the level of product interaction thinking: at present, many large platforms are training and looking for experience designers with interaction design ability and UI visual design ability. As UI designers, we have a better foundation, at least we have aesthetic ability and design perception ability, which others cannot obtain in a short time.
Visual expression level: We can not only focus on the theoretical level, so that the reason will be well understood and the work will be done in a mess. You need to spend more time sharpening up, producing more packages, and strengthening design execution.
Hopefully, incoming UI designers will use the first three years to take their design execution to the next level, and not find themselves with nothing to show for it after three years. As we get to 5 + years of experience, the more experience you have, the more trials and challenges you will face.
I hope this article can bring you more inspiration and ideas, let us work together, just for the persistence of design.