How to Transition from a Graphic Designer to a UI/UX Designer?

Graphic design and UI/UX design are the most prominent and arguably the best options in the design industry. These roles are in demand and offer decent to high pay in the IT industry. Both graphic and UI/UX design require a proficient level of creativity combined with technical abilities. Choosing between the two is challenging, and transitioning will likely feel hectic. If you are wondering how to transition from a graphic designer to a UI/UX designer, worry-less, we will discuss how to switch careers in detail, making this work easier for you. Without wasting much time, let’s dive deeper. 

What is Graphic design or UI/UX design?

Before jumping to conclusions, let’s briefly understand what graphic design is, who a graphic designer is, and UI/UX. If you haven’t chosen a career, explore the best programs suited to your skill and nature. To switch from Graphic design to UI UX design or learn UI/UX from scratch, explore the Best UI UX course in Calicut.

• Graphic design is the branch of the design industry that involves creating, editing, and manipulating different forms of Images. A graphic designer can create motion graphics or visually appealing elements that communicate with the user. Graphic design assists both print and digital media.
• UI/UX Design: User interface or User Experience design involves designing and crafting user interfaces and enhancing users’ experiences in mobile or web applications and websites. In simple terms, designers create visually appealing designs that make the user’s navigation, browsing, or scrolling experience smooth and easy. A UI/UX designer can also be a product designer. 

Upgrade your tools

The first step in transitioning from a Graphic Designer to a UI/UX designer is to upgrade or familiarise yourself with new tools and services. You can also use tools used by both graphic designers and UI/UX designers, like Adobe XD. Since you are a graphic designer, you’ll find it easier to learn and navigate. Therefore, learn tools like:

• Figma: a tool for creating, designing, and editing products, mobile applications, and websites. It can also be used for sharing and testing designs or to make it more interactive and functional.
• Adobe XD (For UI/UX design): Adobe XD is a vector design tool for mobile and web applications. Developed by Adobe, the most significant player in the design industry, it is available on Mac and Windows. XD is also available on Android and iOS, helping you view and test designs directly on the respective devices. 
• Sketch: a prototyping and design tool with built-in templates that aid designers. It consists of collaborative design tools and ideas for teams. Sketch is available on all three platforms. 

In addition to these significant tools, explore and use convenient tools or the ones demanded by the job role or industry. Ensure you’re only equipped with the relevant tools.

Understand the basics

Since you are already a graphic designer, you might know the core design principles of shape, typography, and more. You can also apply these principles to UI UX design, but you must learn other theories, such as usability, accessibility, and the user-empathetic approach. Study processes like prototyping, wireframing, and user personas.

Transform your designs into an Interactive format.

If you have ever designed digital elements like Logos, Mobile or web applications, website interfaces, or concepts, turn them into interactive formats using the abovementioned tools combined with your creativity. Understand how users interact with the design and craft it accordingly. Turning your existing designs will give an expanded view of how to design User interfaces or enhance user experience.

Create a UI/UX portfolio.

As a graphic designer, you might know the importance of a portfolio for designers. If not, here is a brief: A portfolio is a digital material to showcase your projects, flex your skills, and communicate with the audience or potential recruiters. With a portfolio, you can highlight your strengths and weaknesses and how you approach a problem or design. Since you might have a portfolio for Graphic design, having a separate UI/UX portfolio is necessary. A dedicated UI/UX design portfolio makes you more organised and showcases your work much better. To do this, create an account in any portfolio app or website and redesign them. One thing you can do is to bring changes or redesign something you wish was better or for which you have solutions. Doing this highlights your problem-solving skills in real-life scenarios as well.

Learn about User Research and Testing

You might not realise the importance of Research and testing as a Graphic designer. Unlike design, which is crafted and edited for a specific purpose and categorised to a particular audience, UI/UX involves research. Research involves thorough study regarding every consumer of an app or website. This helps provide better results and a clear understanding of the users. Testing is another process involved in UI/UX, where the design has to be tested to ensure functionality and interactiveness.

Collaborate on real projects

You can offer your contributions on real-world projects or with an experienced designer to showcase your ability. After completion of the project, you can add them to your portfolio. Every quality and professional designer welcomes your creative ideas or contributions. This also expands your knowledge, lets you learn new things, and removes perplexities.

Maximise your expertise

You don’t always have to switch careers, but you can do both if you can. Multitasking isn’t always as bad as you think, as you can do both roles and choose any based on your choice as a freelancer. You’re also lucky to have multiple roles, just learning UI/UX design or being a general graphic designer. Options like UI/UX development, where you must code and make the design live and work or be a product designer. This only increases your demand and value; therefore, consider opting for it.

Learn to differentiate between both.

Although both are concerned with design and the design industry and share the same theories, it is vital to understand the differences. Ensure you can differentiate between UI/UX and graphic designing and know the purpose of each. UI/UX design focuses on the user journey and experience, while graphic design focuses on creating visual assets such as logos, illustrations, and photographs. 

UI/UX design and Graphic design have their respective roles and values in the design industry. Yet understanding its differences enables you to choose the right career path. Moreover, having expertise in both is important since it gives you an advantage in the job market and gets you recruited quickly. In addition to this, it also makes you capable of delivering better designs and enhancing your problem-solving skills. Overall, you can make informed decisions when choosing a career. Doing this also ensures that you can take multiple roles within one industry. 

Stay updated

Even if you have achieved the goal of becoming a UI/UX designer, your job is not done yet. You must stay motivated and curious by following the latest trends and using new tools and technologies. Remember to follow design standards and principles despite new trends. Finally, be open to new challenges and changes. Your ability to adapt should be among the qualities of a good designer. 

After you finish the steps, start a gig or freelance profile and look for opportunities. You can also explore internships or jobs as a graphic designer, where your roles and responsibilities include small UI/UX design tasks. Don’t forget to polish your graphic design skills. Keep practising, as they are still valuable and relevant to your resume or UI/UX skills. 

If you know the steps and do it right, switching from a Graphic designer to a UI/UX designer is easy. Graphic design is still an essential skill in UI/UX design, as it helps to create the visual elements of a product. Additionally, the graphic design skills you build as a Graphic designer can provide a strong foundation for the more technical skills needed in UI/UX design, such as understanding how to create a practical user experience.

Aviv Digital is one of the leading UI UX design course in Calicut. We offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the design industry. Our programs provide a comprehensive Guide to become a UI/UX Designer, For more details, Contact us at: +91 8156998844