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UX Design vs. Graphic Design: Choosing the Right Career Path
What's the difference between a UX designer and a graphic designer? Learn what sets these roles apart and how you can transition between them.
May 7, 2021
Article
As an entry-level UX designer, you鈥檒l apply technical skills in prototyping and wireframing to develop user-friendly products and services. Start your UX career today with the help of our free resources.
Learn the basics of UX design
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Storyboarding, Wireframing, User Experience Design, UI/UX Research, Usability Testing, Information Architecture, Presentations, User Research, Figma (Design Software), Design Reviews, Persona (User Experience), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Mobile Development, User Story, Data Ethics, Usability, User Centered Design, Interviewing Skills, Professional Development
Build toward a degree
Beginner 路 Professional Certificate 路 3 - 6 Months
Skills you'll gain: User Research, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, User Centered Design, Usability, Persona (User Experience), User Interface (UI), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Wireframing, Prototyping, Sprint Retrospectives, Sprint Planning
Beginner 路 Course 路 1 - 4 Weeks
Skills you'll gain: Information Architecture, UI/UX Research, Design Research, Experience Design, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, UI/UX Strategy, Persona Development, Usability, Qualitative Research, Usability Testing, Surveys, Human Centered Design, Technical Communication, Prototyping, Tree Maps, Product Strategy, Interviewing Skills
Intermediate 路 Course 路 1 - 4 Weeks
As an entry-level UX designer, you鈥檒l be expected to know the basics of the design process and apply your skills toward mapping user flows, designing wireframes and prototypes, conducting usability studies, and managing and meeting with stakeholders.聽Explore the free resources below as you take the first steps in your UX career:
Learn the lingo: Glossary of UX Terms and Definitions
Take the quiz: UX Career Quiz: Is It Right for You? Find Your Role
Watch on YouTube:
Ready to start learning? Explore our catalog of UX design courses for beginners or accelerate your career growth with a 糖心vlog官网观看 Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you鈥檒l get access to over 10,000 courses.
Entry-level UX designers can expect to make a median total pay of $82,000 with 0-1 years of experience, according to Glassdoor*. That number goes up to $93,000 per year with 1-3 years of experience.
*Glassdoor. , . Accessed September 19, 2025.鈥
To become a UX designer, you鈥檒l want to gain skills in developing prototypes, wireframes, and user flows (usually with Figma or Adobe), basic UX research, problem solving, and communication with stakeholders. Many entry-level jobs seek a bachelor鈥檚 degree as a requirement, so it might be helpful to earn a degree in a related field or a professional certificate. Then, take on UX design projects, create a portfolio, and apply for entry-level jobs and internships.鈥
In short, yes, you do need a portfolio to land your first job in UX design. While it doesn鈥檛 need to be fancy, you鈥檒l want to be able to demonstrate that you鈥檝e sought out and contributed to projects with meaningful impact. In your portfolio, make sure to explain that you are an expert in the design thinking process and can improve a product鈥檚 usability and aesthetic.鈥