{"id":14786,"date":"2020-07-08T14:58:18","date_gmt":"2020-07-08T21:58:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/?p=14786"},"modified":"2023-08-18T08:36:04","modified_gmt":"2023-08-18T15:36:04","slug":"nyc-new-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/design\/nyc-new-york\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Become a UX\/UI designer in New York"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

New York is one of the top cities for UX\/UI designers. In addition to ranking first in the United States when it comes to the number of UX\/UI design job openings, it offers some of the most competitive salaries and opportunities for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of New York City\u2019s strengths is that it isn\u2019t dominated by a single company or industry\u2014it\u2019s home to more than a dozen major industries, ranging from finance to healthcare, trade, real estate, media, publishing, manufacturing, consumer tech, e-commerce, and fitness. The sheer size and diversity of the city\u2014both in terms of population and business sectors\u2014means that there is no shortage of products and services being made and used. It also means that there\u2019s an enormous need for designers to help build and improve those products and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s New York media giants like Bloomberg or Cond\u00e9 Nast, transportation services like the NYC MTA, financial organizations like Capital One or Plaid, e-commerce platforms such as Etsy or Rent the Runway, or fitness companies such as Peloton or Equinox, companies large and small increasingly understand that UX\/UI design is no longer a \u201cnice to have\u201d\u2014it\u2019s a basic requirement to ensure that their products and services remain competitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why the demand for designers who can build platforms and apps that factor in user experiences and interactions has grown so much over the past ten years and continues to surge in a city like New York. UX\/UI designers<\/a> themselves are being recognized for their valuable contributions\u2014UX designer salaries frequently exceed $100,000; both startups and legacy companies are on UX designer hiring sprees; and those in UX\/UI design roles are finally getting a seat at the upper management table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UX designers and UI designers are in high demand, enjoy generous salaries, and get to solve complex and impactful problems. Read on to learn more about how to get a job as a UX\/UI designer in New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to become a UX\/UI designer in New York<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    Design skills.<\/p>\n

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    Practice, practice, practice.<\/p>\n

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    Show that you think about the user.<\/p>\n

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    Do the hustle.<\/p>\n

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    There\u2019s no set path to becoming a UX\/UI designer in New York, but below are some proven tips to get you closer toward that dream job in UX\/UI design<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Design skills.<\/strong> Regardless of the city or industry in which you choose to work, if you want a career in UX\/UI design, you\u2019ll need to equip yourself with some foundational skills such as creating wireframes, user flows, site maps, and high fidelity prototypes; incorporating user research and feedback into graphic design, visual design, and interaction design; performing user testing and being an advocate for the user; proficiency with design tools such as Figma and Photoshop; and collaborating with stakeholders such as product managers and a larger design team. While many of these skills can be self-taught, introductory design courses<\/a> and in-depth UX design bootcamps<\/a> are a great way to fast-track your learning, get you up to speed on design process best practices, and help you build a job-scoring portfolio.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Practice, practice, practice.<\/strong> Find opportunities to apply user-centric design principles to projects. UX\/UI design is a visual field, so create your own sketches, mockups, and storyboards for how a website, platform, or app can be improved; identify usability problems that can be resolved through UX research and brainstorm possible solutions using design thinking. Even if you have to create your own opportunities through personal projects or unsolicited redesigns, this will give you the chance to practice your skills and show a potential hiring manager your passion and enthusiasm for the craft.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Show that you think about the user.<\/strong> In a city like New York that has so many different types of industries, UX design at a fitness hardware company like Peloton will look different from UX design at a fintech startup like Simon. When applying to a UX design job, consider the specific experiences and needs of the user and the goals of the product or service. Show that you can both understand an organization\u2019s mission and be an advocate for the user.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Do the hustle.<\/strong> If there\u2019s one city that rewards ambitious self-starters, it\u2019s New York. Even though there are many UX\/UI design opportunities, there\u2019s still fierce competition for positions at the top companies in each category. This is why it\u2019s important to build a CV that shows potential hiring managers that you\u2019re self-motivated and unafraid to take risks. Many UX\/UI designers in New York start off as freelancers or contractors before they land a full-time role, and it\u2019s not uncommon for designers to proactively reach out to the companies they want to work for to offer their services. Freelancing is an effective way to get your foot in the door, build experience, and show hiring managers that you\u2019re not one to wait around for an opportunity.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      What kind of UX\/UI design jobs are available in New York?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      In addition to having the most number of UX\/UI design job openings in the country, New York City offers the most diverse range of opportunities. The city is uniquely positioned as a hub for multiple industries, all of which are actively hiring designers with expertise in digital experiences, user experience design, and user interface design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The types of UX\/UI roles available also span the experience gamut. For example, New York companies HelloFresh, Public Goods, and Macy\u2019s all recently posted job listings for junior UX designers (1-3 years of experience), while companies such as Peloton, ZocDoc, and the Meredith Corporation sought UX designers with at least 5+ years of experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Many Silicon Valley technology companies have a significant outpost in New York City, most major advertising, public relations, and branding agencies have their headquarters in the surrounding region, and the city remains fertile ground for startups of all sizes\u2014all of this means that there are opportunities for UX\/UI designers to rise through the ranks, choose from organizations ranging from seed-round startups to publicly traded companies, and find new ways to challenge themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n

      Get To Know Other\tDesign Students<\/h4>
      \"Pete<\/a>

      Pete Bruno<\/p>

      Product UX Designer at Service Management Group<\/p><\/div>

      <\/div>

      Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>

      \"Bibi<\/a>

      Bibi Tanjasiri<\/p>

      Product Designer at Hatch<\/p><\/div>

      Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>

      \"Anna<\/a>

      Anna Peterson<\/p>

      UI\/UX Designer at Thumbstopper<\/p><\/div>

      Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      What companies are hiring UX\/UI designers in New York?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      More than a dozen major industries\u2013from finance and tech to the media and the arts\u2013have a significant presence in New York City. Some New York-based companies (or companies with NY outposts) that are hiring UX\/UI designers include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n