With the internet and technology evolving at a rapid pace, career options for UX design professionals continue to grow as well. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 13% growth in the job market for UX Designers through 2030, which equates to about 17,900 new openings each year. It is estimated that around 18% of UX Designers are self-employed, highlighting how crucial it is for those who freelance to stand out from other professionals in the field.
Whether you are new to working as a UX Design freelancer or have years of experience interacting with potential clients, it can be intimidating to jump out into the workforce independently. This article will cover some helpful tips for UX Design freelancers who are looking to stand out in this creative industry.
Build a Strong Portfolio
One of the most important steps for any UX design professional is building a solid portfolio that showcases your work and unique skill set. This is often one of the first things a potential client will see when looking for a UX Designer, which is why it’s so crucial to have an organized and well-balanced portfolio to help make that lasting impression.
UX Designers and other creative professionals use portfolio hosting sites like Adobe Portfolio and Behance to showcase their skills. Adobe Portfolio is provided with a Creative Cloud subscription and includes hosting along with unlimited pages.
Focus on Networking
Whether you have experience in the UX field or are new to freelance designing, networking is key to staying relevant in the industry. Networking with other UX Designers is an excellent way to gain referrals and learn new techniques. It’s great to engage with other creatives with whom you can collaborate, as this can help designers to build a solid reputation. Communicating with like-minded professionals is also helpful if you ever run into an issue, just as you may be able to help someone with your specific expertise.
Some of the most popular networking sites for UX Designers are Dribbble and LinkedIn. Dribbble is a popular choice among creative designers who want to connect with other professionals across the world while also gaining access to designs, themes, and templates.
Grow Your Social Media Presence
One key area that UX Designers often overlook is social media and building a social media presence. While building a social media presence is helpful for reaching a specific target audience, it is also a great platform for advertising your freelance design services. UX designers can use social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and even TikTok to promote their work and interact with a larger range of people than with some traditional marketing efforts.
Continuing Education Courses
Some UX designers fail to consider taking additional classes after starting their careers and gaining clients, but this can be extremely helpful for staying up to date with important areas in the field. While options like the UX & UI design certificate are designed for those looking for a curriculum that covers several areas of web design, the UX design in a day is a fast way to refresh your software skills and learn any new processes in the industry.
There are also courses that focus on specific software, like Adobe in a Day or Advanced Adobe XD classes. These are great for UX designers who have experience with Adobe XD and want to learn more in-depth tasks like designing complex and realistic prototypes with advanced functionality.
Quality Over Quantity
When it comes to choosing work for a portfolio or social media platform, it’s important to consider the quality of the sample and not the quantity of work you have to display. Even if you are new to the field and are limited with your prior work experience, take the time to work on projects you feel passionate about. You don’t have to choose a prior project for your portfolio if you’re not satisfied with the work or it doesn’t showcase your unique skill set.
Build Contracts and Set Expectations
Before you start working with a client, it’s important for UX Designers to build a contract and set clear expectations for the project. This can help if there are any disputes and will ensure the client understands your working boundaries. Some clients may have their own set of contracts as well, so it’s important that freelancers take the time to read through any contract documents. While there are freelance contract templates available online, it may be helpful to reach out for legal advice if you are unsure about a contract or specific legality.
Remain Confident
Last, it’s important for UX Design freelancers to stay confident and patient through the process of gaining clients or finishing projects. The workload for freelancers often ebbs and flows, meaning each week can look different with projects or deadlines. This can be stressful for those who are new to working independently, but remaining confident and positive in your abilities can make this easier overall.
Stay Current With Your Skills
Technology and design software is constantly progressing, meaning some of the industry standards or practices may also change. The easiest way to stay up to date with all of the important areas of the field is to sign up for UX design classes. There are a variety of courses available from providers like Noble Desktop that offer comprehensive course options. You can choose classes that focus on software like Adobe XD or Sketch, as well live online UX design courses.
Live online UX design classes provide the same training as in-person options but eliminate the need to commute to a physical location. You can take these courses from the comfort of your own home, which is helpful for those who currently work as design freelancers and have additional obligations.
If you are new to UX design and want to learn all of the skills needed to make a career change, consider a UX design bootcamp. These courses are in-depth and designed to help those looking to start a career in UX or UI design. To see all of the options available to you, try searching for UX design bootcamps in your area.