The future of UX: a skills-driven landscape
The landscape of UX design is undergoing a seismic shift.
We are witnessing a transition from user-centred design to what we call human-centred design. The latter has a stronger emphasis on empathy, inclusivity, and understanding users' emotional needs versus the purely practical user-first considerations of intuitiveness and efficiency. Overall, this means prioritising how the design affects users holistically, considering things like their well-being, privacy, and interaction with their community.
This surge is driven by factors like rising customer expectations, the integration of AI, and the growing importance of ethical design practices.
What does this look like in practice?
Understanding
For example, global apps and platforms that conduct extensive research into different cultures and needs will be able to create a personalised customer experience and be seen as more trustworthy, for greater customer loyalty and satisfaction.
Inclusivity
Product design which takes into account users with disabilities for instance, not only follow principles of equity and inclusivity, but boost their brand and expand their customer base by doing so.
Empathy
Empathetic design centers how the user experience makes the customer feel. Take the Headspace app, which has cultivated a soothing interface using sound and visual elements, to support a sense of emotional wellbeing associated with the app’s content.
A 2023 McKinsey report highlights how human-centred design can be a key differentiator, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Current talent/workforce needs
This shift necessitates a new breed of UX professionals. In addition to core UX skills like prototyping and user research, a well-rounded skillset now includes areas like emotional intelligence, user behaviour analysis, and an understanding of AI and machine learning principles.
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023 predicted that by 2027, there will be a sharp increase in jobs requiring creativity, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving skills, placing talent in high demand.
The rise of the UX generalist
Traditional UX roles will increasingly favour generalists with a broader skillset. Specialisation will not disappear, but the ability to collaborate across disciplines (such as psychology and data science) will be crucial.
Data fluency is key
Understanding user data and applying it to design decisions is paramount. This includes skills like user behaviour analysis, A/B testing, and data visualisation.
The ethics imperative
As AI plays a bigger role in UX, designers will need to champion ethical practices. This includes ensuring inclusivity in algorithms, mitigating bias, and creating transparent user experiences.
The rise of UX demand
The good news is that the UX field is booming! According to the State of UX Hiring Report 2024 by the UX Design Institute (UXDI), a staggering 68% of those responsible for hiring expect demand for UX skills in their company to increase over the next 1-2 years.
This translates to a significant increase in recruitment, with 66% of hiring managers planning to bring on UX professionals this year. The most sought-after roles include UX Designers (51%), UX or User Researchers (50%), and Product Designers (47%).
The evolving UX skillset
The UXDI report also sheds light on the evolving skillset employers are looking for. Over two thirds (77%) of hiring managers prefer candidates with some form of UX qualification, with the majority (52%) favouring a certificate or diploma. This highlights the growing importance of solid theory and validation of skills, alongside practical experience.
UX beyond tech
Traditionally, UX has been heavily associated with the tech industry. However, the UXDI report reveals a fascinating trend: 68% of UX professionals now work in non-tech industries.
These include:
Healthcare, where intuitive interface design for medical equipment can both boost healthcare provider efficiency, and reduce human error, for more successful patient outcomes.
Finance, where customers have come to expect seamless, user friendly mobile baking. This greater sense of control boosts customer satisfaction as well as reducing service costs (via lessened in-person contact) and enhancing financial literacy on a wide scale.
The public sector, where streamlined online citizen services, such as public record access or permit applications, fosters greater trust and connection with citizens, and promotes transparency and accessibility.
This range of applications demonstrates the versatility of UX skills and the growing recognition of their value across various sectors. UX skills ultimately deliver greater efficiency and user satisfaction, as well as other benefits like savings and easing regulatory compliance processes, all of which help organisations to get ahead of their competition.
Embracing AI
The rise of AI presents both challenges and opportunities for UX professionals. The obstacles AI is creating include complex integration requiring new skills, concerns around ethics and user trust, as well as potential job displacement.
However, the advantage may outweigh these, with personalisation, efficiency, insights, and accessibility getting a major upgrade, alongside the addition of speedier tools for the design process.
UX professionals are embracing this shift, with the UXDI report indicating that 73% use AI tools on a monthly basis or more often. A continued willingness to adapt and leverage innovative technologies will be crucial for future success.
The future of UX is bright for those who embrace the human-centred approach and equip themselves with the necessary skills.
Organisations must invest in upskilling their UX teams and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous learning. By prioritising these aspects, companies can create truly compelling and ethical user experiences that stand out in an ever-evolving market.
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