9 Essential Skills for UX Designers in 2025

It’s an exciting time to get started in user experience (UX) design. Popular job site Glassdoor listed “UX designer” as the eleventh job in their 50 Best Jobs in the UK for 20224 based on job satisfaction, earning potential, and job openings [1]. 

Additionally, you have more than one path toward becoming a UX designer. Showing that you have the proper set of skills is often crucial to getting hired. Delve further into the capabilities you might want to begin cultivating with this list of essential skills a UX designer needs in 2024. 

What skills does a UX designer need?

UX designers use a combination of technical skills and workplace skills in their design work. Some of these skills are specific to the world of user interface (UI) and UX design, whilst others are more general. Chances are you already have skills that will transfer into a new career in UX design. 

You can learn many of these skills with the Google UX Design Professional Certificate on Coursera:

UX designer technical skills

1. Prototyping, wireframing, user flows, mockups

A significant part of the product development process is envisioning what a product will look like. Depending on the stage of development, you might do this by creating wireframes, low or high-fidelity prototypes, mockups, or user flows. Explore the definition of these terms below.

• Wireframe: A web page layout stripped of visual design used to prioritise page elements based on user needs

• Prototype: A sample or simulation of a final product used to test and gather feedback. You can sketch low-fidelity prototypes on paper, which doesn’t allow user interaction. High-fidelity prototypes are typically computer-based and allow for mouse and keyboard interaction.

• Mockup: A realistic visual model of what a final webpage or application will look like

• User flow: A diagram that maps out each step a user takes when using a product or service

These elements of interaction design are hands-on skills that require practice. Luckily, you can get started with a pen and paper. Practice sketching out wireframes and user flows for an app or site you already use frequently to get familiar with the components. 

Prototypes and mockups often require special UX software. If you’re just starting, consider working with a free option like Origami Studio. Popular paid prototyping tools, like InVision, Sketch, or Adobe XD, typically come with a free trial that allows you to design some prototypes without subscribing.

2. Visual design and design software

Both UX designers and UI designers use visual design software, like Figma, Sketch, Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, to create the visual elements of a product. Besides proficiency in the tools, you should build your knowledge of best visual design practices for typography, colour theory, layout, icons, and general design theory.

3. User research and usability testing

To design a product that solves a user problem meets a user need, or generally delights a user, you first need to understand who that user is. That’s where user research comes into play. 

Conducting the correct type of user research for the product or feature you’re designing can empower you to make a product even better. As you develop prototypes, you’ll conduct user testing to validate your design choices. Knowing how to iterate through these two user-centric phases can help make you a more effective designer. 

This skill is so critical that some companies have a specialised role on their UX team known as the UX researcher. 

4. Agile

Agile, a set of project management practises prevalent in the software development world, is based on an iterative approach to building a product. Since many software development teams use the Agile methodology, it would make sense that UX designers could also benefit from an understanding of this popular product management approach. 

UX and Agile have begun to overlap to the point that there’s a term for it—Agile UX design. Whilst you don’t need to know every detail of project management to be a UX designer, you can enhance your resume by learning the basics. 

5. Information architecture 

Information architecture (IA) involves effectively organising and structuring content. When designed well, IA helps users find the information they’re looking for or complete their tasks. UX designers can facilitate this by making it easy for users to understand where they are, where they need to go, and what’s next.

If you’re new to information architecture, start by studying some common website IA patterns. Much like you did with wireframing, you can also practise by creating a sitemap of a website or app you enjoy. Do this a few times, and try to identify the elements that lead to good IA.

6. Application development

Whilst UX designers don’t generally write code—that’s a task for developers—it can help to have a basic understanding of application development, including languages like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.

Understanding what goes into developing applications can help you as a UX designer in a few ways:

• You’ll have more realistic expectations of what’s possible in your design.

• You’ll be able to better communicate and collaborate with the development team.

• You might be more marketable in small start-up companies that hire for a broader range of skills.

• You’ll have basic coding skills should you choose to move into UX engineering or UI development. 

UX designer workplace skills

7. Collaboration

As a UX designer, you’ll be collaborating with other teams regularly. Depending on the project and phase of development, you might work with leadership to define business goals, user interface (UI) designers to add visual elements to a mockup or high-fidelity prototype, or developers to translate your designs into code.

Working as part of a team also means knowing how to give and receive feedback and incorporate new ideas to create the best possible product.

8. Communication and presentation

Communication and collaboration go hand in hand. And it’s not just your team you’ll need to communicate with. Strong communication skills help you get more valuable customer data when conducting user research and build enthusiasm amongst stakeholders when presenting your designs. Good UX often relies on effective visual and written communication.   

9. Creative and flexible

Working as a UX designer involves creativity and innovation whilst also being flexible in approach to account for changes in the process and advances in technology. 

How to improve UX skills

You probably already have some of these skills. Others might be new to you. Either way, you have several options for developing your UX design skill set. Your efforts could end up giving you a competitive advantage when it comes time to apply for jobs.

Take UX courses.

Enrol in a UX design course for a more structured approach to skill development. General UX courses might touch on several of the skills mentioned above. You’ll also find niche courses targeting individual skills. Look for courses that include group projects to develop collaboration and communication skills. 

To start building job-ready UX skills, consider enrolling in the University of Michigan's User Experience Research and Design Specialisation on Coursera. You don’t need a degree or any prior experience, and you’ll cover skills like wireframing, prototyping, user research, usability testing, and design software.

Stay up to date on the latest UI/UX trends.

As you build foundational and more advanced UX skills, subscribe to a few top UX blogs and podcasts to keep yourself informed on the latest trends. You can learn a lot from the wealth of free UX resources available.

Put your UX skills into practice.

Sometimes, you learn better by doing. If you want to start practising some of the UX design skills mentioned above, find projects you can work on, either as part of formal studies, such as Guided Projects on Coursera, or entirely on your own. 

Getting the job: How to present your UX skills in your CV and interviews

Getting a job as a UX designer is often about showing recruiters and hiring managers what you’re capable of. As you add new skills to your UX tool belt, remember to add them to your CV as well. 

As you prepare for job interviews, practise specific stories about when you’ve used these skills in a previous job, course, or even a personal project. 

Get started in UX

As a UX designer, you will need a broad skill set, including visual design, user research, prototyping, and collaboration. These skills are essential for creating products that are both useful and enjoyable for users. Build your skills and take the next step toward a career as a UX designer by enrolling for free in the Google UX Design Professional Certificate on Coursera. Experience what UX design is all about with a seven-day free trial.

Give your team access to a catalogue of 8,000+ engaging courses and hands-on Guided Projects to help them develop impactful skills. Learn more about Coursera for Business.