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Writer's pictureMadhura Pujari

"UI-UX Design" a popular career path among students? How to select or change your path?



It has become very common for students to choose a career in UI/UX design simply because it's a popular and in-demand field. However, it's important for students to understand the nature of the field and what it entails before making a decision to pursue it as a career.

UI/UX design involves creating user interfaces and experiences for digital products, such as websites, apps, and software. This involves a deep understanding of user needs, behaviour, and psychology, as well as design principles and software tools.

If a student is interested in pursuing a career in UI/UX design, they should take the time to research the field, understand its core principles and methodologies, and consider whether their skills and interests align with the requirements of the field. They should also be prepared to invest time and effort in building their skills, pursuing relevant courses or internships, and building a strong portfolio of work to showcase their abilities and experience.

Ultimately, it's important for students to choose a career path that aligns with their interests and passions, rather than simply following the market trend. By taking the time to research and understand the field of UI/UX design, students can make informed decisions about their career paths and set themselves up for success in the field.

UI/UX design is an increasingly popular career choice for students, and it's expected to continue to be in high demand in the next five years. As more companies and organisations shift towards digital products and services, the need for UI/UX designers to create user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces will only increase.

However, as with any field, there are also challenges and potential changes to be aware of. Some potential challenges for UI/UX designers in the next five years include:

Increased competition: As more students enter the UI/UX design field, the competition for jobs may increase. It's important for designers to stay up-to-date with the latest design trends and technologies, and continue to develop their skills and knowledge to remain competitive.

Evolving technologies: The field of UI/UX design is constantly evolving, and designers will need to stay abreast of the latest technologies and design methodologies to create innovative and effective digital experiences.

User expectations: As users become more accustomed to sophisticated digital experiences, they may have higher expectations for the interfaces and interactions they encounter. Designers will need to create experiences that not only meet these expectations but also exceed them.

Globalization: As more companies expand their operations globally, designers will need to create interfaces and experiences that are culturally sensitive and adaptable to different regions and languages.

Despite these challenges, the future of UI/UX design looks bright, with continued growth and demand for skilled designers. To succeed in this field, designers should focus on developing a deep understanding of user needs, staying up-to-date with the latest design trends and technologies, and building a strong portfolio of work that showcases their skills and experience.

When it comes to transitioning into a UI/UX career, engineers and design students can have different advantages and challenges.

Engineers who shift into UI/UX design may have a strong understanding of the technical aspects of creating digital products. They may be able to code and have experience with software development, which can be an asset when it comes to designing interfaces and experiences that are functional and technically feasible. Because of these strong technical and analytical skills, they may get preference in the product companies as product companies need multitasking people for their product design team.


However, engineers may need to develop their design skills, such as visual aesthetics, typography, and color theory, to create engaging and visually appealing interfaces. But for these skills you may get trained resources in the market as there are many institutes teaching and training about tools and visual design skills.

On the other hand, design students who shift into UI/UX design may have a strong foundation in design principles, visual aesthetics, and creativity, which are all essential skills for UI/UX designers. They may also have experience with design software, such as Adobe Creative Suite, which can be an asset when creating high-fidelity mockups and prototypes. However, design students may need to develop their technical and analytical skills, such as understanding user research methodologies, prototyping tools, and software development practices.

Overall, both engineers and design students can be successful in transitioning into UI/UX design. It's important to identify your strengths and weaknesses and work to develop the skills you need to be successful in this field. This may involve taking courses or workshops, seeking mentorship or guidance from more experienced designers, and building a strong portfolio that showcases your design skills and experience.

When choosing a design specialization, it's important to consider your interests, skills, and career goals. Both graphic design and industrial product design are rewarding design fields, but they require different skill sets and offer different career paths.

Graphic design focuses on creating visual communication through typography, layout, and other graphic elements. Graphic designers work on projects such as branding, advertising, packaging, and digital media. They may use software such as Adobe Creative Suite to create designs that are visually appealing and communicate a message effectively. Graphic designers can work in a variety of industries, including advertising, publishing, and marketing.

Industrial product design, on the other hand, focuses on the design and development of physical products. Industrial designers work on projects such as consumer products, furniture, appliances, and medical devices. They may use software such as CAD (computer-aided design) to create 3D models and prototypes of their designs. Industrial designers can work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, consumer goods, and technology

Both graphic design and industrial product design require a strong foundation in design principles, creativity, and problem-solving. However, industrial product design may require more technical skills and knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes.

Ultimately, the decision to specialise in graphic design or industrial product design should be based on your interests and career goals. If you enjoy creating visual communication and working on projects such as branding and advertising, graphic design may be a good fit for you. If you're interested in creating physical products and enjoy the challenge of designing for function and usability, industrial product design may be a better fit. It's important to research both fields, talk to professionals in the industry, and seek out educational opportunities to make an informed decision about your design specialization.


When it comes to pursuing a design career, whether to choose science or arts in 11th and 12th standard can depend on the specific area of design you're interested in.

If you're interested in pursuing a design field that involves technology or engineering, such as industrial design or product design, science stream in 11th and 12th standard can be helpful. This stream will give you better understanding of analytical and technical aspects of design.


On the other hand, if you're interested in pursuing a design field that involves more artistic and creative skills, such as graphic design, fashion design, or interior design, arts stream in 11th and 12th standard can be more suitable. This stream will give you a strong foundation in subjects such as art, drawing, and design. Also if you pursue 11th in arts stream then you can opt for psychology as one of the subjects so that it may help you in your design career to understand your product users better For example, UX/UI design, digital design, and web design are fields that may not necessarily require a specific stream, but rather a strong foundation in design principles, software tools, and user experience.


Ultimately, the stream you choose in 11th and 12th standard should align with your interests and goals in the field of design. Regardless of the stream you choose, focus on building your skills, pursuing relevant courses or internships, and building a strong portfolio of work to showcase your abilities and experience.


If you're interested in pursuing a career in design after completing 10th standard, there are several paths you can consider. Here are some general steps you can take to start exploring a design career:

Identify your interests: Design is a broad field that encompasses many specializations, such as graphic design, industrial design, fashion design, interior design, and more. Start by identifying the areas of design that interest you the most.

Research educational options: Once you have identified your areas of interest, research educational options that can help you pursue a career in those fields. You can start by researching design schools or programs in your area, or by looking at online courses or tutorials that can help you build foundational design skills.

Build your skills: Design is a practical field, so it's important to start building your skills early. Consider taking courses, attending workshops, or practicing your design skills in your free time.

Create a portfolio: A portfolio is a collection of your best design work, and it's an essential tool for showcasing your skills and experience to potential employers or schools. Start building a portfolio early by documenting your design projects and organising them in a way that showcases your strengths.

Seek out opportunities to gain experience: Consider seeking out internships, volunteer work, or other opportunities to gain real-world experience in your chosen field of design. This can help you build your skills, make professional connections, and gain valuable experience that can help you stand out in a competitive job market.

Stay up to date with industry trends: The design industry is constantly evolving, so it's important to stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies. Read design blogs, attend industry events, and network with other designers to stay abreast of the latest developments in your field.


Overall, pursuing a career in design or changing your path from other allied fields to design can be a challenging but rewarding path. By identifying your interests, building your skills, creating a portfolio, seeking out experience, and staying up-to-date with industry trends, you can position yourself for success in this exciting field.








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