I am a fledgling Web Designer, seeking to make myself into a UX / Interaction Designer. I am working on a degree (at my local University, Utah Valley University) in Digital Media (I don't believe they have a "UX" emphasis) What 5 things should I focus my time on?
Answer
- Create something real rather than theoretical - (akin to speaking a language rather than learning a language at school)
- Seek constructive criticism - learn from it
- Get your stuff tested on real people not just your digital media buddies - learn from it (it will make you humble - it might make you despair - ultimately it will make you better)
- Read and contribute to lists and formus like this one (tick)
- Go to conferences and meetings - volunteer to help out at them if you need help funding them
...and a bonus one or two
i. experiment - don't be afraid to fail (but when you do throw it away)
ii. try new stuff, new applications, new technologies, new trends - keep up to date with the new things - but don't get overly seduced by them
iii. use and practice research - select what you use based on real needs rather than the cool new stuff you want to try out (see previous)
iiii. have fun - its fun stuff we do - spend some of your time designing beautiful fun stuff - sometimes the stupid stuff really informs the serious stade stuff
v. do an internship at a variety of good companies (consultancy, agency and client side) experience other roles in addition to design - see the full lanscape of the industry rather than a one sided or myopically focussed
Good question (once revised!) and best of luck
Jon
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