Opportunities for Architects in UX/UI Design

In the domain of designs, both Architecture and UX/UI plays a pivotal role. The architecture is most relevant in physical spaces but UX/UI design is relevant in digital spaces and products. 

Here are some key points from various blogs about the opportunities for architects in UX/UI design:

Similar Design Process: 

The basis of any design is to conduct a thorough research of the user problems. The designer perspective is to provide a solution to the users existing problems

For an Architect to create world class design, the groundwork starts from understanding the user’s perspective and creating a structure that will help the user in the long term.

Same goes to the UX design. Even Though it is not reflected in the physical spaces but for a designer the physical space is converted into digital space. The UX/UI designer through spaces, layout and visual hierarchy converts the digital spaces into a healthy user interface.

Some of the similar ways 

• Affinity: Understand the audience perspective and pains to make the design a solution for their problems.
• Define:Define the problem of users by identifying the needs and pain areas.
• Idea: Design the ideas with the view of users
• Prototype: Create a prototype with design 
• Test: After creating the prototype, test the design by getting feedback from others.

Team Dynamics: 

As an architect, you’re used to working with a team and managing projects. These skills are transferable to UX/UI design where you’ll work with developers and product managers².

How do UX/UI designers work together?

• Create and uphold a style guide to guarantee uniformity in the overall branding and visual language. 
• Set up and fine-tune procedures for the design team’s collaboration and interaction with other business sectors. 
• Carry out research and competitive analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the target users and the market in which the product will compete. 
• Showcase concepts and designs to business stakeholders to secure their approval and support.
• Keep design documentation updated to ensure there’s a consistent, trustworthy record of all the efforts put into a specific design project. 
• Coordinate and facilitate workshops like brainstorming sessions and retrospectives.

Flow:

The flow of design is crucial for the model to be successful. This can be explained better with airport case studies. Suppose you’re in the airport, the spatial flow would be foyer, security check, waiting room, check-in and boarding area. The experience of this is different for users and airport staffs.Take this same example in digital space. This is experienced in virtual 2d space interfaces and features through 3D models and different perspectives renderings to simulate people’s experience of space in architecture design.

What is the biggest benefit of Architecture experience for UX/UI design?

Steady relationship between Aesthetics and Functionality:

The Architecture job is not just related to aesthetics but functionality too.This can be better explained with a martial arts studio.The studio would be aesthetically marvellous but functionality is reduced due to presence of columns and less space. This is why architects have to keep a balance between aesthetics and functionality to make the model serviceable.

This same applies for the digital space. Suppose you have a shopping ecommerce site that has excellent visual design that gains the user trust to explore more. But the user is unable to figure out how to interact with it. This eventually leads to user drop out.

So as an Architect, you can inculcate your experience into the digital space to create a balanced world.

Steady User needs with Business needs:

You will have to understand the key performance indicators(KPI) to understand the user needs and business needs. 

As an architect you already know the user needs but to blend the business and user needs is the crux of the situation. So you need to have some innovative designs that is feasible and functional within bound of business needs

What are the job opportunities for Architects in UX/UI design?

Below are some of the statics regarding the job placements in EDIT institute:

100% of the Architects who complete this course get placed with good packages.

• More than 85% of graphic designers get placed after completing the course. 
• 75% of these graphic designers get a higher package than their previous one. 

Let us for simplification divide the job opportunities into entry-level and senior level

Entry level:

UI/UX Designer: The role requires to create user interface and assist with user research testing

UX Researcher: The role requires understanding user preferences and behaviour.

Information Architect: The role requires organisational and analytical skills

Intermediate Level:

UI/UX Manager:
The UX manager has to collaborate with stakeholders, manage resources, and provide mentorship to junior team members.Other skills are strong communication skills and leadership.

UX Researcher:
UX researcher conducts user interviews, usability tests, and surveys to gather insights to make informed design decisions. Additionally, they need to collaborate closely with designers and product marketing teams to guarantee a focus on the user experience.

UX Designer:
UX designers conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring designs to life.They require a solid grasp of user-centred design principles and meticulous attention to detail.

UI Designer:
UI designer focuses on producing visually appealing interfaces that align with user needs, user behaviour, and brand guidelines.They collaborate with UX designers to actualize the design vision by incorporating layout, typography, and colour schemes.

UI/UX Developer:
As a UI/UX Developer in this role, you’ll leverage your coding skills and user insight to craft digital experiences that are seamless and captivating. Your responsibilities include collaborating with designers and fellow developers to translate designs into reality and ensure a seamless user journey.

UX Strategist:
The UX Strategist conducts user research, analyses market trends, and collaborates with stakeholders to shape the overall UX vision. This position demands a deep understanding of business goals and user needs.
Freelance UI/UX Designer:

As a freelancer, you’ll enjoy the liberty to select your projects and clients. However, to effectively juggle multiple projects and meet client expectations simultaneously, you’ll need exceptional communication, organisation, and time management skills.

UX Consultant:
The UX Consultant engages in user research, analyses data, and provides recommendations for design enhancements. This role relies heavily on strong communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

Interaction Designer:
Interaction Designer creates intuitive and engaging interactions that enhance the overall user experience.This role requires a deep understanding of user needs and behaviour, as well as strong design and prototyping skills.

Service Designer:
Service Designers collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to pinpoint pain points and devise innovative solutions. This role demands a holistic design approach and robust collaboration skills.

UX Writer:
UX Writers collaborate closely with designers and researchers to guarantee that the language employed is clear, concise, relatable, and user-friendly. This role hinges on strong writing and communication skills.

Product Designer

Product Designers work alongside cross-functional teams to establish product objectives, conduct user research, and craft designs that are both intuitive and visually appealing. This role necessitates a blend of UX and UI skills, coupled with a thorough comprehension of business objectives.

In conclusion, architects looking to transition into UX/UI design can find ample opportunities in various industries. Their skills in spatial design, problem-solving, and attention to detail can be leveraged to create intuitive and visually appealing digital experiences. By acquiring knowledge in user research, interaction design, and prototyping, architects can effectively contribute to cross-functional teams and play a vital role in defining product goals and user-centric solutions. With a solid understanding of business objectives and strong communication skills, architects can thrive in the dynamic field of UX/UI design, shaping the future of digital products and services.

Placement of the week