A unique combination of educational background and prior work experience is likely required to become a user interface designer. Learning to design user interfaces actually entails a variety of concepts and knowledge areas, ranging from human cognitive processes and behavior to scripting languages and graphic design programs. You can improve your knowledge in these areas attending classes and conferences, as well as reading a variety of books on the subject. After that, you should try to get some practical experience to supplement your education and training, as this will help you become a professional user interface designer.
A user interface designer creates user interfaces, usually graphical user interfaces (GUIs), for various businesses and applications. The graphical user interface (GUI) is what most users of a program or website will interact with during basic product usage. Everything from operating systems to websites uses a graphical user interface (GUI) to make it easier for customers or users of the software or website to navigate the various options and controls available. The interface designer conceptualizes a GUI’s overall concept and collaborates with others to develop the user interface that others will interact with.
A person interested in becoming a user interface designer should concentrate on two major areas: education and experience. You can get an education from a professional institution, such as a college or technical school, and you can also learn more through other means. Many designers have a background in computer science or engineering, but many people who work in user interface design have a psychology or sociology degree. Look for classes in human-computer interaction (HCI) and usability, as well as books that will help you understand how to design user interfaces.
Most companies looking to hire a user interface designer look for prior experience to show that a candidate knows what they’re doing. You could look for work with small businesses that don’t pay well but will allow you to build and expand your professional portfolio. Documentation, demonstrating how you developed ideas from one stage to the next, and providing examples of effective problem solving on a project are all examples of things to include in your portfolio that potential employers will want to see. Experience may be more important for a designer than a philosophical understanding of design, but you should strive to have both in order to stand out from the crowd.