Building Your UX Skills Over the Holidays

Written By Bre Gentile

The holiday season offers a unique opportunity to invest in your professional development without the usual distractions of work.

Here are some concrete activities you can engage in to enhance your UX skills and prepare for the next stage of your career come the new year.

1. Online Courses and Certifications

  • Choose a Relevant Course: Look for online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning that offer UX courses or certifications. Focus on areas where you want to improve, such as user research, interaction design, or prototyping.

  • Set a Schedule: Dedicate specific times during the holiday break to complete these courses. Treat it like a class to help maintain consistency.

2. Attend Workshops and Webinars

  • Find Free or Low-Cost Events: Many organizations offer free or low-cost workshops and webinars during the holidays. These can provide valuable insights and new skills. Websites like Eventbrite and Meetup can help you discover upcoming events.

  • Network and Engage: Use these events to connect with other UX professionals. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and share your experiences during discussions.

3. Build or Revise Your Portfolio

  • Revamp Existing Projects: Take this time to revisit older projects in your portfolio. Update them with recent learnings, improved visuals, and more detailed case studies that outline your process and impact.

  • Add New Projects: Consider working on personal projects or redesigns during the holiday break. This could include redesigning a website or app you use frequently or tackling a hypothetical project that interests you. Document your process and results for your portfolio.

4. Engage in Self-Directed Learning

  • Read UX Books and Blogs: Create a reading list of influential UX books and blogs. Titles like "Don’t Make Me Think" by Steve Krug or "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman are great starts. Summarize key takeaways from each reading and how you can apply them in practice.

  • Follow Industry Trends: Subscribe to UX newsletters or follow industry leaders on social media to stay updated on the latest trends and tools in the UX field.

5. Practice Your Skills

  • Conduct User Research: Use the holidays as an opportunity to practice your user research skills. Identify a product you love and conduct usability testing or user interviews with friends or family. This practical experience will help you refine your techniques and gain valuable insights.

  • Create Design Challenges: Participate in design challenges on platforms like Dribbble or Behance. These challenges often have specific prompts that encourage you to think creatively and apply your design skills in different contexts.

Preparing for the Next Stage in Your UX Career

As you build your skills over the holidays, it’s also essential to prepare for the upcoming year and the next stage in your UX career. Here are some actionable steps:

1. Set Clear Career Goals

  • Define Your Aspirations: Spend some time reflecting on your long-term career goals. Do you want to specialize in a specific area of UX, such as user research or interaction design? Write down your goals and the steps you need to achieve them.

  • Identify Key Skills: Based on your career goals, identify the skills you need to develop further. Create a plan that outlines how you will gain these skills in the upcoming year.

2. Create a Networking Plan

  • Connect with Industry Professionals: Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with other UX designers, recruiters, and industry leaders. Consider reaching out to request informational interviews to learn about their career paths and insights.

  • Join UX Communities: Engage in online UX communities, such as Slack groups or forums, where you can discuss topics, ask for advice, and share resources with fellow UXers.

3. Refine Your Personal Brand

  • Update Your Online Presence: Review your LinkedIn profile and personal website. Ensure they accurately reflect your skills, experience, and projects. A strong online presence can help you stand out to potential employers.

  • Craft Your Elevator Pitch: Prepare a concise and engaging elevator pitch that communicates who you are as a UX designer, your strengths, and your career aspirations. This will come in handy during networking opportunities.

4. Prepare for Job Applications

  • Research Target Companies: Identify companies you’re interested in working for and research their values, culture, and design approaches. Tailor your application materials to align with their ethos.

  • Practice Interview Skills: Conduct mock interviews with friends or use platforms like Pramp to practice your interview skills. Prepare answers for common UX interview questions and be ready to discuss your portfolio.

5. Set Up a Feedback Loop

  • Seek Constructive Feedback: As you build your portfolio or take on new projects, seek feedback from peers or mentors. Constructive criticism can help you grow and refine your work.

  • Reflect Regularly: Make it a habit to reflect on your progress monthly. Consider what worked, what didn’t, and how you can improve. This will keep you accountable and focused on your goals throughout the year.

By using the holiday season to develop your skills and preparing for the next stage of your UX career, you’ll be well-equipped to make an impactful start to the new year. Embrace this opportunity for growth, and let your passion for UX shine through!

Bre Gentile
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