Common Industry Terms
These terms below are commonly used in the User Experience Design field and will help you get acquainted with what this career path is all about.
- Design Thinking - Design thinking is an iterative process in which we seek to understand the user, challenge assumptions, and redefine problems to identify alternative strategies and solutions that might not be apparent with our initial level of understanding. It provides a solution-based approach to solving problems and revolves around a deep interest in developing an understanding of the people for whom we’re designing the products or services.
- User Experience (UX) Design - User experience (UX) design is the process design teams use to understand how a user interacts with and experiences a product, system or service. It includes a person’s perceptions of utility, ease of use, and efficiency.
- User Experience (UX) Research - UX research is the systematic study of target users and their requirements, to add realistic contexts and insights to design processes. It includes two main types: quantitative (statistical data) and qualitative (insights that can be observed but not computed), done through observation techniques, task analysis, and other feedback methodologies. The UX research methods used depend on the type of site, system or app being developed.
- Product Design - Product design is the process designers use to blend user needs with business goals to help brands make consistently successful products.
- User Interface (UI) Design - UI design is the process designers use to build interfaces in software or computerized devices, focusing on looks or style. Designers aim to create interfaces that users find easy to use and aesthetically pleasing.
- Front-End Development - Front-end development is the development of the graphical user interface of a website, using HTML, CSS and JavaScript so that users can view and interact with that website. As a front-end developer, you are responsible for the look, feel, and ultimately the design of the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you are learning more about the User Experience Design field, you may have a few questions about how these terms are connected together. Here are some questions we often get from students about this field.
What’s the difference between UX and Product Design?
The difference isn’t WHAT they do, but rather WHEN they do it.
UX Designers spend most of their time developing products prior to launch, whereas Product Designers spend most of their time updating products that have already been launched. Product Designers never stop working on the product, continuing to evolve it over time with each subsequent release.
Why is Design Thinking becoming more popular?
Design thinking teams seek diverse perspectives. Design thinking teams are not only multi-disciplinary in their composition, but also actively seek out diverse perspectives to help them devise better solutions. The cross-functional expertise on the team, though valuable, is not enough. While they leverage internal expertise, design thinking teams deliberately seek out a variety of perspectives outside of their team to validate their assumptions and build a holistic understanding of their customers’ needs and experiences.
Do I need to know how to code to be a designer?
No! Now, there are many tools that allow one to design without any programming knowledge. However, if you do know how to code that might make you a little more competitive in the market and help you understand the developer’s mindset when working in cross-functional teams.
What are some common tools that User Experience Designers need to know?
Here are some common tools and technologies User Experience Designers are familiar with and use often. Try them out and use them in a project to be more competitive!
Do I need a master’s degree or bootcamp to enter the UX/UI field?
Nope! Even if you are about to graduate, it is very possible to get into the field without a master’s degree or bootcamp program. This article can help you weigh the pros and cons of pursuing additional schooling if you are unsure.
Do I need a portfolio to get into UX Design?
Most UX job applications request a link to your UX portfolio, and potential clients want to see your design skills before hiring you for a gig. If you are interested in this field, we recommend starting to work on your portfolio website. Not sure what that means? Don’t worry! We have resources below to help you get started.
Are you excited about UX Design? Now what?
Here are some resources to help you explore the field further and help you prepare for a career in UX design. The resources below will help you get more involved in the field directly at UT as well as virtually.
UT Resources and Programs
- Center for Integrated Design: In collaboration with the Design, Engineering, Information, Business, Computer Science and Architecture programs, CID has created a multidisciplinary curriculum that offers ALL UT students the opportunity to study design methodology and apply it in creative and entrepreneurial scenarios. Many Integrated Design (ITD) courses are available to all majors.
- Master of Information Studies: The iSchool offers a Master of Information Studies degree with a concentration in User Experience (UX) Research & Design. Some courses may be available to take at the undergraduate level
- Informatics Major: New undergraduate major through the iSchool with a focus on User Experience Design.
- Informatics Minor: New undergraduate minor through the iSchool with a focus on User Experience Design.
UT Student Organizations
- Texas Convergent: Enabling innovation at the intersection of technology, business, and design.
- Texas Product Engineering Organization: Build, design and launch software products to solve real-world problems in the community. They teach full-stack engineering, UI/UX design and product management in semester-long courses.
- Texas Design Journal: The University of Texas at Austin’s first scholarly journal dedicated to documenting student design research
Outside Resources
- Design Buddies: An inclusive global online community founded in April 2020. Our mission is to connect and support designers, especially those just entering the field.
- Listicle: Best Free UX Design Courses
- Article: How to build a portfolio if you’ve never worked in UX
- Article: How to create a UX/UI Portfolio without much experience
Check out our Skill Development and Certifications page for more ideas about how to develop your design skills for free!