What is... UX?

UX, also referred to as ‘user experience’ is the emotional experience a user has with a product with the aim of the experience being positive. To enable a good user experience, it is integral to understand the needs, struggles and goals of your audience. Within the digital space, UX solely deals with the ease and use and focuses on whether the user is able to achieve their desired end goal. In order to facilitate a positive experience, you need to combine the likes of project management, user research, information architecture, visual design and analytics.

Find out more about the process and how to make it as a 'UXer'!

The design process from start to finish involves the unification of the product, design, usability and function.

The UX design structure can be broken down into the following model:

Why?

Motivations, Values and Views

What?

Functionality and Features

How?

Accessibility and Aesthetics

The why defines the values and views within the performance. The what solely looks at the things users gain from using the product, checking its functionality is adequate. Then the how aspect seeks to ensure a product is created that allows its users to have useful interactions with it.

What does a UX designer need to be successful?

Empathy, being able to understand the needs of others
Humbleness, user experience differs from person to person
Keenness to learn, as UX is a market that continually sees expansion, development and growth
Ability to collaborate, being a UXer entails being part of a bigger team and working alongside colleagues of various status, level and title
Problem solving, should be at the heart of everything you do as you should seek to resolve issues instead of masking them with interface techniques
Can do attitude, is essential, as you need to be able to proactively and constructively incorporate stakeholders feedback before finding an appropriate solution
Eagerness, as you should wish to explore new ideas, concepts, processes, methodologies and so on

Top tips for UXers in the employment world:

Update your portfolio, and showcase your experience
Coherently explain your work and tell the story
Be yourself – it really is that simple. Employers like personality!

Written by Kourtney Dunmall, Data & Tech Recruitment Consultant

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