How did you break into the UX/UI field as a junior? I’m trying to get my first UX job but the most common response to my inquiries and interviews is, “we’re looking for someone more senior."

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First step: stop calling it UX/UI.

Second step: pick one to focus on.

Third step: do side projects to build a compelling portfolio, and take reputable training courses as needed.

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All UI people should understand interaction design. All good UX designers should be able to do customer research, usability testing, information architecture work - at least to some degree. The labels matter less than the concepts, but the term “UX/UI” has been damaged by countless hordes of techies who want to seem like they “get Design”.

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UX is all about how the user experiences it, hence user experience. The focus is on making everything as seamless as possible for the user. UI is about the way the interface looks. It's more design and making it look appealing, pretty, actual usage experience be damned in favor of what the client wants.

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At agencies, especially the larger ones, UX and UI work is done by different people with skill sets focused on each area. Startups are notorious for hiring UX/UI people and expect the UI to be also coded by this person. It may help you to pick a starting point. Sometimes agencies hire juniors to do the “grunt” work. It is one way in, to gain some experience and learn from others while getting paid. It is sometimes more affordable than going to school, if you can learn on your own while working at entry level.

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Deloitte 1 absolutely gets it. ^

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Work somewhere that does digital products & services and get in there to learn from the best and find an environment that will support your growth. Aim to work in those teams, but if you can't, work on other stuff that isn't UI/UX to build an empathy and core skill in visual design (or UX if that's more your bag).

Most juniors will think they can work on product teams from the get-go. The hard truth is that these teams are usually kept lean for a variety of reasons including budgets, so there isn't initially room for you yet (unless you're significantly better than everyone else). Find a job, get your foot in the right doors, and knuckle down. It'll hurt for a little while, but it'll pay off.

This strategy worked for me, and I'm grateful & fortunate to have led design effort for several "big ticket" companies. Best of luck 🙏🏽

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Second the fact that Deloitte 1 is on fire with those responses.

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Eh. Whatever. Someone who can span UX/UI is more valuable. I’d place a team of 60/40 ux/ui splits anywhere with maybe a single heavy UX person on the front. Hybrid is the future, thus XD is what you should be shooting towards. “Go do side projects” is a typical non-specific consultant answer. Many companies are looking for junior UX or hybrids who can grow with their needs since this field is shifting constantly. Yes if you have no projects, otherwise look for a company that has traditional designers in it who are looking to make their experience practice more robust. That’s an actual answer from someone who is responsible for getting the right people into the company and onto projects.

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We start a lot of juniors out at our agency as “digital designers” or “visual designers.” While they may not be doing the coolest work (mostly production type work for emails, banner ads, landing pages), it helps get them experience and then we move them into a UI or UX team. I would agree with the above that you should pick a focus but be knowledgeable in both fields. “Unfortunately, UI/UX” is a bit antiquated as a bundled term and many people that I hear say that are people in the industry who don’t totally understand what either side does (for example - my company’s 60 year old CEO who says “UI/UA/UX/whatever” lol)

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Me too. I wanna know

What’s wrong with UX/UI?

Work for free!

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