Are you considering a career in UX design but unsure about the future of user experience? You’re not by yourself! Let’s look at the current situation. I remember reading about Clay Christensen, who once attempted to boost milkshake sales. Christensen did all he could to increase his sales; he sought to make them sweeter, provided them in a different flavour, and significantly increased the volume of the cups. Hardly anything worked until he began to study the people who bought milkshakes.
Christensen discovered that customers had purchased the milkshake to make their daily trip to work more exciting. A milkshake is a thick drink that lasts longer and fills the stomach. However, the customers were utterly unaware of this. Finally, he came up with a way to make the milkshake even thicker, eventually increasing sales. The principle of milkshake marketing is that a customer analyses what “job” the product performs for them.
Product designers endeavour to improve the user experience – UX design of the solutions they create for their clients by ensuring that their products are long-term business solutions. When we think of user experience – UX, we frequently envision a product with a simple, elegant, and intuitive feature set that makes the user’s life much easier.
Features are a minor and delicate component of the product, and they’re a few of the several potential solutions to a user’s problem that
the product is attempting to tackle.
The primary user experience is the function for which customers use the product, not a collection of features. The most important aspects of
the Zoom user experience are having productive meetings and communicating with other guests without experiencing any platform issues. The host has authority over the meeting since he decides who gets in, and no one can attend the meeting unless the host has started it. The link between feature and product is such that without the product, features are irrelevant.
Identify the Product’s Intended Purpose.
The primary user experience of a product is why it exists in the first place. It meets a need or solves a problem. As a result, it gains meaning and value. If the problem does not exist or the solution does not fit the situation, the product is rendered useless, and people will not utilise it, leading to its extinction. Correcting wrong answers is possible, but changing quasi-problems is not. So, how can we be assured that problems will be solved? Unfortunately, we can not be 100% certain, but we can considerably lessen the risk by researching and talking with people.
Examine the Problems and Design Features for the Appropriate Users.
Building successful features begin with product thinking. It addresses the question, “why should we develop this product?” by outlining the challenges it solves. Defining the target audience (“who has these problems?”) and the solution (“how are we accomplishing this?”) will provide sufficient direction for developing a new feature. Goal setting will assist in determining the feature’s success.
The Problem-Solution-Fit
We don’t want to provide a solution in the absence of a problem, and there is far too much waste in the world to introduce a product that no one wants. Aside from that, your time, the most valuable resource you possess, needs to be put to good use!
When the supplied solution fits the identified problem, products become relevant. This answer specifies how an issue will be resolved. Interaction and visual design can make a product look nice, be easy to use, be enjoyable, or stand out from the crowd, but they can’t make it relevant.
At this stage, you’ve established the presence of an issue and created a value offer that solves your customers’ problems, pains, and gains at this point.
The Power of Product Thinking
UX designers can develop the right features by thinking about products for the right individuals. It aids in comprehending the overall user experience of a product rather than just the interaction and visual design of elements. It ensures that UX designers address real consumer needs, lowering the danger of creating something no one wants. It gives you the ability to make informed judgments about building features.
UX designers may use Product Thinking to ask the appropriate questions, implement the correct features, and interact with stakeholders more effectively. It allows designers to say “no” and be cautious about introducing new features.
Designers can ask the right questions before sketching wireframes or crafting elaborate layouts if a new feature is needed or someone has a concept for a new product: “Does it fit inside the product?” —”Does it solve a real-world problem for the user?” —”Let’s see if people want or need it first!” This keeps the product light and efficient.
Are UX Designer Roles Going Extinct?
The need for UX designers is not disappearing. The nature and texture of work do what nearly every tech sector does, it evolves to fit the need of consumers as new technology emerges. Many people believe that the UX career path is becoming increasingly stagnant, and however, this is not the case.
UX designers are still in high demand. Because the sector adapts and evolves in response to technological innovations, so do the expectations for UX designers.
It’s no longer enough to have a firm grasp of concepts related to user experience. It’s wise to take an all-encompassing approach to the user’s experience if you want to be a well-rounded and competitive UX designer. This usually consists of knowing what technologies will be used, how things will be produced and distributed, and the business strategies and goals that will get items into people’s hands.
Some argue that this has complicated the term “UX designer”. Having such a broad skill set may eventually lead to the profession’s demise, with more designers being obliged to specialise or claim a new title. But it’s crucial to note that these “evolved” designers aren’t simply picking up new abilities; they’re learning new talents to complement their UX design knowledge, and how they apply those skills is heavily affected by their UX design perspective.
Thinking about products makes sure UX designers build the right features for the right people and tackle people’s real problems. It enables us to make the right decision and is the foundation of building successful products users want. Product thinking establishes a fruitful relationship between Product Management and UX Design, leading to more vital products. Therefore, Product Thinking will be the next big thing in UX Design.
As the level of expertise of UX designers increases, it will become increasingly necessary for designers to advance their talents. Most current job listings for UX positions already reflect this. Combining UX/UI specialists, product specialists, interface designers, UX researchers, content and product designers, and even voice-guided UI specialists are becoming increasingly popular.
Start Your Product Design Journey Today.
Consider joining online communities of UX designers in addition to networking and becoming acquainted with the various UX design tools and programmes. You can also attend product design masterclasses, conferences, and trainings.
Increase your skill set.
Hiring managers may be more interested in your skill set than other parts of your resume because this is where you can explain more about the tools, programmes, and software with which you are familiar. Join an academy that can help you with the learning process and the use of various industry tools so you can build your portfolio.
Gain Experience
Knowledge and experience are super important in landing toy a product design job. You can also gain experience by volunteering your design services or considering working as a freelancer. Not only will this help you build your portfolio, but it will also help you expand your network.
Create a portfolio.
A portfolio is an important part of beginning a career in design, so consider starting with projects you complete in your academy or those you create on your own to test your skills. Make sure you can explain your design process to someone else. Because the product design field is so vast, concentrates on design types.
Authors Note
Now is an excellent time to broaden your knowledge and expertise. Brush up on design strategy and team leadership, or dive further into analytics to excellently prepare for the future of UX design. I come bearing good news…and that is, Garden Academy is the best product design school for budding UX designers.
If you’ve already worked as a UX designer, you might be wondering if UX is a good subject to study or if it’s time to change careers. The requirements and skillsets of UX designers are evolving to meet the demands of our high-tech lives as new technologies, new user demands, and expanding areas of speciality impact the UX industry. By joining Garden Academy, you will be exposed to the opportunity of being a member of the UX industry and witness tremendous progress in the coming years.
If you are interested in becoming a UX designer and want to know more about product design, check out the following resources:
UX DESIGN: What A UX Designer Should Know
