Switching from web design to UX design can be quite easy at times, especially if you have some user research experience in your web design work.

And even if you’ve never done user research in your web design job, don’t panic.

You’ll be able to take the plunge once you’ve spent time studying UX and practicing some UX skills throughout your web design job.

1. Talk to UX Designers to improve your UX design skill

If you work in a technology company, you will almost certainly work with a UX designer. Have you ever sat down with them and asked how they got to where they are?

If you’re not lucky enough to have UX designers in your professional network, try reaching out to some on LinkedIn.

2. Consider Your Transferable Skill

The key to a successful career transition is building on your transferrable skills. That good news?

Many of the skills you develop as a web designer carry over to your work as a UX designer.

This is the greatest benefit of this particular transition.

3. Educate yourself UX design

If you want to study UX design, there’s no shortage of options, from online tutorials to courses and certification programs.

Its boot camps are springing up across the country and promise to give you all the technical and theoretical training you need in just a few months.

While you don’t necessarily need to have a formal education to acquire the skills required, you could impress potential employers.

4. Practice Your UX Design Skills

Now that you’ve mastered the basic theories and tools, it’s time to get down to business with a real project.

After learning the basic theories and tools, the next step is to gain hands-on experience.

If you’re already employed as a web designer, there may be opportunities at your current job to get involved with the UX side of a project. It’s a great way to learn.

5. Polish Your Prototyping Skills

You may have some prototyping skills (like native prototyping), but prototyping in UX design is different from prototyping in web development.

Now you don’t think about creating a final product anymore, but about the constant iteration of prototypes.

6. Networking with UX Designers

Networking is the essential, as in any industry. Try to find local networking events and meetups.

If you’re pursuing formal education in one form or another, keep in touch with your classmates and teachers and let them know you’re in the market.

Once you start building a professional network of UX design contacts, a job will likely soon follow.

7. Build a UX Design Portfolio

When hiring UX designers, employers primarily consider two things: your portfolio and your work experience.

A polished portfolio is crucial to getting a job for UX designer. Your portfolio should provide context for each piece with information such as project goals, target audience, and time estimate.

Your case studies should shed light on how you solve problems.