Degrees of Separation: Do Self-Taught UX Professionals Get Equal Opportunity?

Thou didst well, for wisdom cries out in the streets and no man regards it

William Shakespeare

In the competitive realm of UX design, Charchit’s journey stands as a testament to resilience and determination. From selling sandwiches on the streets to becoming a respected UX designer, his story encapsulates the plight and potential of self-taught professionals in this field.

During a challenging time for his family, his father encouraged him to revisit the design skills he had learned years ago. Little did they know, this suggestion would ignite a passion that would drive Charchit to overcome significant obstacles. With no formal education or mentorship, Charchit’s curiosity and relentless drive paved the way for a successful career in UX design.

Despite facing financial hardships and the humiliation of working on the streets, Charchit never lost sight of his goals. His experiences taught him invaluable lessons in feedback, resilience, and self-discipline. These qualities, along with his unwavering determination, allowed him to rise above his circumstances and build a thriving career.

Charchit’s story, along with countless others covered by DesignWhine, shed light on the unique challenges faced by self-taught UX professionals and underscores the importance of perseverance, passion, and adaptability in achieving success in the industry.

Nonetheless, recent debates and speculations question whether self-taught professionals receive the same opportunities in the industry as those with formal university degrees in UX design.

Do their careers advance more slowly than their degree-holding counterparts?

In this article, we aim to uncover the answer. DesignWhine conducted a survey with UX professionals across 17 countries earlier this year and consulted with several industry experts to formulate our insights and conclusions.

Survey Methodology

At the beginning of 2024, DesignWhine conducted an extensive online survey targeting approximately 1,000 UX professionals from 17 countries, including India, the USA, Nigeria, Ghana, the UK, Mexico, Austria, and Hungary, among others. Our respondents comprised both full-time employees and freelancers working in UX, with a diverse mix of individuals holding formal degrees and those who are self-taught.

The survey was designed to gather comprehensive insights into various aspects of UX careers, including career progression, education background, and the challenges faced by professionals. It included a mix of multiple-choice questions and open-ended responses to capture both quantitative and qualitative data.

In early 2024, DesignWhine surveyed around 1,000 UX professionals from 17 countries, including both degree holders and self-taught individuals, to explore their career experiences and challenges.

Participants were selected through targeted outreach to ensure a representative sample across different regions and professional backgrounds. The survey was conducted over a two-month period, ensuring anonymity for all participants. However, in the final section of the survey, self-taught respondents were given the option to disclose their identities if they wished to share more detailed insights about their experiences. Twenty-two professionals opted to reveal their identities, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding through follow-up discussions about their unique journeys as self-taught UX designers.

The collected data was analyzed using both statistical methods for quantitative responses and thematic analysis for qualitative responses. While we aimed for a comprehensive approach, we acknowledge potential limitations such as self-selection bias and geographic constraints.

This methodology ensures a detailed and credible exploration of the experiences and challenges faced by self-taught UX professionals compared to their formally educated peers.

Section 1: Rise of the Self-Taught

As technology becomes more and more a part of our everyday lives, from smartphones to smart homes, the need for user experiences that are easy and intuitive has never been higher.

A well-known expert in cognitive science and user experience design, Don Norman, has made a prediction about the future of the UX profession. He believes that by the year 2050, there will be around 100 million professionals working in UX. This shows just how important UX design is becoming in shaping how we interact with digital products and services. It’s not just about technology, but also about driving innovation and staying competitive in the digital economy.

On top of that, we’re seeing a rise in disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and the Internet of Things. These technologies have the potential to completely change how we experience things, whether it’s shopping online or receiving healthcare. In order to stand out in a crowded market and meet the demands of consumers, businesses are realizing that investing in UX design is crucial for success.

The appeal of UX design lies in its unique blend of creativity, empathy, and communication skills, making it an attractive field for many.

Many people are drawn to UX design because they see it as a ‘cool’ job that shapes the future of technology and user interaction. The appeal of UX design lies in its unique blend of creativity, empathy, and communication skills, making it an attractive field for many. Unlike programming or any other competency in Information Technology, transitioning to UX design is perceived to be more accessible due to its emphasis on these soft skills alongside, say, technical abilities. This accessibility allows individuals from diverse and unrelated backgrounds, such as psychology, marketing, or business, to leverage their existing strengths and seamlessly shift into UX design, shaping the future of technology and user interaction.

Consequently, this surge in demand has led to an abundance of resources like online courses, workshops, and bootcamps to support aspiring UX designers, reflecting the dynamics of a competitive capitalist market.

Amidst this trend, a debate persists about the value of formal education versus self-teaching in UX design. While some argue that self-taught designers may lack certain standards, there’s a noticeable absence of concrete data, whether quantitative or qualitative, such as surveys, to provide an in-depth understanding of the trend of self-taught UX professionals.

So, the first question that we asked in our survey was aimed at gathering the number of people who identify themselves as self-taught UX design professionals.

Anyone who hasn’t gone through a formal undergraduate or postgraduate course in UX design or a related field like HCI can be considered self-taught.

But before we get into that, let’s first define what self-taught UX design is and who falls into that category. At DesignWhine, we believe that anyone who hasn’t gone through a formal undergraduate or postgraduate course in UX design or a related field like HCI can be considered self-taught. This includes hardcore autodidacts who’ve learned UX design by reading countless Medium articles, as well as those who’ve completed online certifications from platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and even the famous (or infamous?) Google Design certificate. Additionally, individuals who have graduated from shorter bootcamps like General Assembly are also considered self-taught UX designers.

With this definition in mind, let’s explore the insights gathered from our survey.

The very first question of our survey highlighted that out of the one thousand respondents (992 valid responses, to be precise) nearly 40 percent (401 responses) identified themselves as self-taught UX designers.

While Norman’s hypothesis, as briefly discussed earlier, remains speculative and is based on trends extrapolated from 2017, fast forward to 2024—approximately seven years later—and we can reasonably infer that his projections regarding the global population of UX designers now approximate 4 million. So, according to our survey responses, an astonishing 40% of these professionals, equating to around 1.6 million individuals, are self-taught UX designers.

This also means that, assuming the percentage of growth remains constant, the number of self-taught UX designers in 2050 would lie around 40 million.

That’s a good enough number that we start talking about them, and understand their potential and problems.

Section 2: Entering the Industry

When it comes to breaking into UX design without a formal background or degree, opinions vary widely among both survey participants and industry experts.

While 55.2% of respondents (a mix of both, degree holders and self-taught) expressed doubts about the feasibility of this approach, the viewpoints from our survey reflect a range of perspectives.

Some respondents likened the importance of formal training to a balance beam, emphasizing the need for a blend of education and real-world experience. They argued that with enough experience, practice, and structured learning, a self-taught UX designer could very well be as good, if not more, than a degree holder.

Another respondent, skeptical of the idea of entering the UX field without a degree, raised a thought-provoking question: ‘Would you hire a self-taught plumber?’ This comparison sparks debate on the merits of structured education versus hands-on learning, particularly considering that hiring a skilled, self-taught expert in any field may present no inherent risk. It’s worth noting, however, that this perspective holds true as long as the field in question does not involve matters potentially endangering lives, such as medical science or similarly high-stakes domains. Even with that disclaimer, we say, bring on the self-taught plumbing prodigy! Who knows, they might just surprise us!

Yet, amid the array of opinions, uncertainty lingered for some. They remained unsure about how the absence of educational credentials might impact their reception within the industry. After all, breaking into the industry is one thing, but sustaining growth and forging a successful career within it is quite another.

To better understand the notion in detail, DesignWhine reached out to some of the industry leaders and stalwarts.

Jakob Nielsen, born in 1957, is a pioneering figure in the field of web usability. As a distinguished Danish consultant and co-founder of Nielsen Norman Group, his groundbreaking work has earned him the title of ‘guru of Web page usability’ by The New York Times and the accolade of ‘king of usability’ by Internet Magazine.

When we approached Jakob Nielsen with a burning question about the importance of a degree in UX design versus the potential of self-taught professionals, his response was enlightening. According to Nielsen, “No, you absolutely do not need a university degree to be great at UX. Experience is vastly more important than theory for a UX professional. This has always been true, but it is even more so now that we have AI tools like Perplexity to give us just-in-time customized learning about anything.”

Nielsen acknowledges that while a degree may hold some value, he believes the opportunity cost of the years spent pursuing a degree outweighs its benefits. He elaborated, “The ROI is inverse to the length of the degree program: terrible for a Ph.D., bad for an MS, and still below breakeven for a BS.”

Despite his stance on formal education, Nielsen stresses the importance of acquiring some theoretical knowledge. “Some theory is certainly needed, and I recommend reading books and articles (like my own at UXTigers.com) and probably also taking a few short courses. Plus definitely signing up for mentorship on ADPList.”

Interestingly, Nielsen signs off his messages with “Ph.D.” in his signature but humbly admits, “I didn’t get enough value out of that degree, though it did help back when I was a research scientist.”

Nielsen’s contributions to the field of UX design have undeniably shaped the digital landscape, revolutionizing how users interact with websites and online platforms. His assertion that the ROI is inversely proportional to the length of a degree program speaks volumes about the value of practical experience in this industry.

We then reached out to Debbie Levitt, a design mentor with extensive experience in the field. Since the mid-1990s, she has been a CX and UX consultant, specializing in strategy, research, training, and Human-Centered Design/User-Centered Design. Currently, she is the CEO of Delta CX, which is a full-service CX and UX consultancy and agency in the U.S.A.

Debbie’s LinkedIn profile paints an interesting picture of her. She describes herself as “The Mary Poppins of CX/UX.” If you’re not familiar with Mary Poppins, it is a 1964 American musical fantasy comedy film. Mary’s an efficient and sensible English nanny with magical powers, known for bringing wonder into the lives of those she cares for while teaching them important lessons.

According to Debbie, a formal education in UX is not necessary to succeed in the field. She herself is self-taught, with a BA in music and an MBA she obtained during the pandemic. Debbie emphasized, “You can certainly be self-taught in UX. I was! My BA is in music and I have an MBA that I got during the pandemic. Companies tend to care more about experience.”

However, breaking into the UX job market in 2024 is proving to be quite challenging. “It’s very hard to get into UX jobs now in 2024. I’ve never seen it be more difficult than it is now, and more education might not make a difference.”

Debbie explained that the past couple of years have seen a significant loss of UX jobs, with approximately 70% being affected by layoffs. “Roughly 70% of UX jobs were lost in the layoffs of the last 1-2 years. Many of those jobs haven’t come back. Some that returned are paying less.” This raises the question of why someone would want to pursue a career in UX. “Why did you want to get into UX? ‘High-paying job?’ Not really. ‘Stable job?’ Definitely not. We’re often the first to be cut. ‘Fun jobs with lots of wacky workshops?’ Not really. We are often in a lot of conflict with co-workers since we often have bad news about the idea they were in love with (that they don’t work well for users). ‘Super creative?’ Less than it used to be. Too often, jobs now tell you what to design, and you are just the person making it happen.”

Roughly 70% of UX jobs were lost in the layoffs of the last 1-2 years. Many of those jobs haven’t come back. Some that returned are paying less.

Debbie also pointed out that a change in American tax law, implemented in 2022 under the Trump administration, played a significant role in these layoffs. “An American tax law change voted in by Trump that took effect in 2022 caused a lot of these layoffs. Part of that law was to make American businesses pay more in taxes for tech workers. Part of that law tries to ‘bring jobs to America’ by making workers outside of America cost even more on business taxes. It’s a bit of an ugly time to be a tech worker.”

In light of these circumstances, Debbie advises against worrying about obtaining a degree. Instead, she suggests focusing on whether UX is truly the right fit. “I wouldn’t worry about a degree when there are other things to worry about, like, is UX really right for you? I’d focus on that right now! Perhaps there is something more stable that would make you decent money and you would like.”

Sarah Doody, another expert we consulted, is the CEO of Career Strategy Lab, a career coaching and education company for UX, Product, and Tech professionals. Although initially hesitant due to our focus on an audience in India, she recognized that the topic of self-taught UX designers is globally relevant. Here’s her perspective:

Having a degree in UX is not essential for entering the industry. As Sarah explained, “A degree in UX is not essential to having a job in the industry. Likewise, as with every career, a degree does not guarantee a job.”

Sarah emphasized that UX professionals, whether self-taught or formally educated, should not overly focus on mastering specific tools, software, or frameworks. “One thing that UX professionals must be mindful of, whether self-taught or not, is not overly emphasizing learning specific tools, software, or frameworks. Skills such as writing, verbal communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and business analysis are also crucial to a career in UX.”

She pointed out that many professionals spend excessive time developing UX skills, which can lead to difficulties in collaborating with other departments or gaining stakeholder buy-in. “Many professionals dedicate too much time to developing UX skills and, as a result, struggle when they need to collaborate with other departments or get buy-in from stakeholders. I believe this is, in part, because UX education – whether through a formal degree program or free videos on YouTube – doesn’t adequately teach business skills. As a result, many UX professionals optimize for the user, and the business goals aren’t met. To be treated as a collaborator, and not as a creator of deliverables, UX professionals must show they can balance the needs of both the user and the business.”

Sarah advises UX professionals to delve into areas such as business strategy, marketing, business finance, and data analysis to better understand a business’s needs and create solutions that consider project opportunities and constraints. “By becoming familiar with topics including business strategy, marketing, business finance, and data analysis, UX professionals will be better equipped to understand a business’s needs and create solutions that consider the opportunities and constraints involved in each project.”

Many professionals dedicate too much time to developing UX skills and, as a result, struggle when they need to collaborate with other departments or get buy-in from stakeholders.

Acquiring these skills doesn’t necessarily require formal courses. “Learning these skills doesn’t necessarily require taking a course – be curious in your current role, don’t be afraid to ask questions, and take every opportunity to immerse yourself in projects where you can apply and expand your knowledge.”

Summarizing the insights from Jakob Nielsen, Debbie Levitt, and Sarah Doody, along with our survey findings, it’s clear that having a formal degree is not necessary to break into UX design. The experts unanimously agree that experience and practical skills outweigh the need for academic credentials. Jakob Nielsen emphasized the higher value of hands-on experience over theoretical knowledge. Debbie Levitt highlighted the importance of real-world experience over degrees and noted the current job market challenges. Sarah Doody underscored the significance of balancing technical skills with essential business acumen.

From our survey, 40% of respondents successfully transitioned into UX without a formal education in the field. This substantial figure reflects a broader trend in the industry, supporting the experts’ perspectives.

What is particularly interesting is the diverse backgrounds from which these self-taught UX designers hail. The transition into UX is happening across various industries, showcasing a breadth of skills and experiences uncommon in many other fields.

The Sankey chart from our survey data reveals the fascinating paths individuals have taken. While many enter UX from tech-savvy fields like computing and IT, others come from unexpected sectors such as medicine, accountancy, civil engineering, the legal profession, and even music. This diversity not only enriches the UX field but also demonstrates that valuable skills can be developed outside traditional educational pathways.

Section 3: Perception in the Job Market

While we’ve seen a significant influx of diverse individuals entering the world of UX design, a pressing question arises: how successful are these professionals once they join the UX workforce without a formal degree?

In our survey, we asked self-taught UX designers how they perceived their value compared to those with formal backgrounds. Surprisingly, 53.8%, slightly more than half, felt they were not at a disadvantage.

This number is unexpected given the other survey dynamics and inferences. For instance, when asked if they’d ever been rejected from jobs due to their self-taught status, the response was overwhelmingly affirmative.

It’s intriguing that while many self-taught designers don’t perceive themselves as undervalued compared to formally educated peers, a significant number report facing rejections from companies because of their self-taught status.

When specifically asked where they work as UX professionals, a majority—around 35%—reported being employed by multinational corporations (MNCs). However, only about 0.5% (2 respondents out of 401) indicated that they worked for major tech giants like FAANG companies. While it’s noteworthy that 35.1% of respondents cited working for MNCs, it’s important to remember that any organization with operations in more than one country qualifies as an MNC. Therefore, this figure alone may not necessarily indicate a promising career path for self-taught UX professionals.

These seemingly conflicting viewpoints warrant further examination. To gain deeper insights, we decided to dig deeper by manually reviewing job descriptions on LinkedIn for some of the top tech brands.

_{Some recent job descriptions from companies like Adove, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Google in India and the U.S. for UX design roles}

Our analysis of job descriptions from prominent tech companies in both India and the U.S., including Adobe, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Google, has revealed a troubling trend: a significant emphasis on formal educational credentials when hiring for UX design roles. This means that individuals who are self-taught in UX design are effectively being excluded from consideration.

For instance, Adobe in India specifically states that they are seeking a Senior Experience Designer with a background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) or related fields. This requirement automatically excludes those who have acquired their skills through self-study or practical experience. Similarly, Microsoft, both in India and the U.S., mandates that Senior UX Designers possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in specific design disciplines. Likewise, Senior Visual Designers at Microsoft are required to have formal academic qualifications. Meta also exhibits a preference for candidates with formal academic credentials for their Qualitative UX Researcher positions.

This prevailing pattern severely limits the opportunities available to self-taught UX professionals, raising concerns about their future prospects in the field. By placing such a heavy emphasis on formal education, these companies are inadvertently disregarding the valuable skills and expertise that self-taught individuals can bring to the table. This exclusionary approach not only hampers the diversity and inclusivity of the UX design industry but also overlooks the potential for innovation and fresh perspectives that self-taught professionals can offer.

While major tech brands often serve as ‘gatekeepers’ for self-taught UX professionals, attempts to glean insight into their perspectives proved challenging. We tried reaching out to organizations such as Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Adobe via email to understand their perspectives but their responses were elusive.

Self-taught candidates may find it challenging to gain experience in reputed organizations without prior experience, perpetuating an endless cycle of exclusion.

However, a revelation from a recruiting executive within Adobe India’s Noida office shed light on the company’s stance, albeit anonymously. According to this insider, even self-taught UX designers who manage to secure job interviews at Adobe are frequently met with rejection in later stages of the hiring process. The executive revealed, ‘While we appreciate the creativity and determination of self-taught candidates, our stringent criteria prioritize candidates with formal education and extensive experience. This ensures that our teams maintain the highest standards of quality and innovation.’

The company’s emphasis on quality candidates underscores the importance of having a formal degree in UX design, HCI, or a related field of computer science to ensure this standard. When questioned about alternative methods for assessing candidate quality, the executive stressed the significance of substantial work experience, especially within reputable organizations. This requirement creates a dilemma, as self-taught candidates may find it challenging to gain experience in such organizations without prior experience, perpetuating an endless cycle of exclusion.

Despite our efforts to solicit their perspectives, the companies’ lack of response suggests a reluctance to address inquiries concerning the hiring practices for self-taught professionals. This silence may be interpreted as tacit approval or reinforcement of existing industry norms, wherein formal education in UX design is prioritized as a prerequisite for employment. The absence of explicit communication or clarification from these companies leaves their stance on the inclusion of self-taught UX designers ambiguous, potentially perpetuating barriers to entry for individuals lacking traditional educational backgrounds in the field.

It is crucial for companies to adopt more inclusive hiring practices that consider alternative pathways to acquiring UX design skills.

Leading tech companies should acknowledge the value of practical experience and self-study in UX design. By expanding their criteria to include individuals who’ve gained skills through alternative means, they can access a broader talent pool and cultivate a more diverse workforce. Additionally, companies could explore alternative evaluation methods, like portfolio reviews or skills assessments, to gauge the abilities of self-taught UX professionals.

The heavy reliance on formal educational credentials in job descriptions for UX design roles at prominent tech companies poses a significant challenge for self-taught professionals. This pattern restricts their opportunities and raises concerns about their future prospects in the field. It is crucial for companies to recognize the value of practical experience and self-study, and to adopt more inclusive hiring practices that consider alternative pathways to acquiring UX design skills.

Section 4: Challenges in Self-learning

The path of a self-taught UX professional is marked by a variety of experiences and obstacles, as evidenced by our earlier discussions and survey results. A recurring challenge is the hurdle of finding employment, a sentiment echoed by many respondents and supported by our own research.

Seeking further insight into the specific challenges encountered by self-taught UX designers, we posed a crucial open-ended question in our survey (restricted to those identifying as self-taught in the survey): “Which aspects of UX design did you find particularly challenging to self-learn?”

One common hurdle cited by respondents is the intricacies of UX research, especially in the absence of real project contexts. Understanding methodologies for gathering and analyzing user feedback, conducting interviews, and interpreting data proved to be a significant challenge for many.

One common hurdle cited by many self-taught UX designers is the intricacies of UX research, especially in the absence of real project contexts.

One of the respondents, Lisa Heiss, freelance UX Designer from Mexico reflected on this challenge, stating, “Yes, I’d say the hardest one was probably UX research since it’s a bit harder to do that without a real project context.”

Additionally, crafting meaningful user personas and journey maps that accurately reflect diverse user perspectives required a deep understanding of empathy and practical application.

Another respondent, Pooja Chawla from India echoed the sentiment, sharing her journey, saying, “Certain aspects of UX design presented unique challenges during my self-learning journey. One area that initially proved challenging was mastering the intricacies of user research methodologies.”

Another area that posed difficulties for self-learners was the visual design aspect of UX. While acknowledging the distinction between UX and UI design, respondents emphasized the importance of acquiring visual design skills in the industry. However, mastering elements like color theory, layout, and typography proved challenging without formal education or mentorship.

Reflecting on this struggle, Jennifer Patterson, designer at BNY Mellon in the U.S.A., stated, “One area of UX Design that I found challenging to learn on my own and still do to this day to be completely honest is the visual design side of UX design.”

Soft skills such as confidence, communication, and collaboration presented notable challenges for self-taught UX professionals.

Obtaining feedback and mentorship as a self-taught designer was identified as a significant barrier to learning, highlighting the need for supportive environments and resources within the UX community.

She further highlighted this issue, stating, “Trying to learn it on your own comes more with practice then just absorbing information. Getting feedback on your work is an important part of developing your work and improving your craft so not having that at times or struggling to find that mentorship as a self-taught designer can make learning more challenging.”

Furthermore, soft skills such as confidence, communication, and collaboration presented notable challenges for self-taught UX professionals. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone to engage with users, pitch ideas confidently, and collaborate effectively with team members required dedicated effort and perseverance. Overcoming these challenges often involved gradual growth and development, with respondents expressing gratitude for the journey despite its inherent difficulties.

Section 5: Community Support

When asked on how should the UX community support aspiring self-taught UX designers and professionals, respondents emphasized the importance of recognizing and acknowledging their achievements.

“Exactly as you (DesignWhine) are doing it, just shining some light on their achievements,” says Lisa Heiss, highlighting the significance of platforms like DesignWhine in validating their expertise within the industry.

Pooja Chawla advocates for alternative pathways to be recognized, emphasizing the need for skills-based hiring practices that prioritize practical experience. “Encourage Recognition of Alternative Pathways: Highlight the value of practical experience and self-directed learning in UX design,” she suggests, stressing the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the industry.

The industry can better support and acknowledge self-taught UX professionals by recognizing diverse pathways to expertise

Some highlight the role of mentorship and accessible resources in supporting self-taught UX professionals. “I think that the industry can better support self-taught UX professionals by providing mentorship,” Jennifer remarks, acknowledging the importance of networking and learning from others. Chidimma, a designer from Nigeria, emphasizes the need for accessible resources and learning opportunities, advocating for a culture of inclusivity and openness to diverse backgrounds. “The industry can better support and acknowledge self-taught UX professionals by recognizing diverse pathways to expertise,” she suggests, underscoring the importance of practical skills and portfolios.

Anmol, designer at Zomato, India, stresses the importance of openness to diverse perspectives and approaches within the industry. “I believe being more open to listening to new ideas and perspectives is crucial,” says Anmol, highlighting the need for relevant resources and structured learning courses to support self-taught individuals. Together, these responses underscore the significance of mentorship, accessible resources, and a culture of inclusivity in supporting and acknowledging self-taught UX professionals within the industry.

Section 6: Advice from the Self-taught

Finally, on being asked what advice they’d pass on to aspiring self-taught UX designers, this is what many of them had to say.

For aspiring self-taught UX designers, the key is curiosity and storytelling, alongside seeking advice from others. Persistence and belief in your skills are crucial; build a robust portfolio, engage with the UX community, and embrace continuous learning.

Don’t underestimate the value of your existing skills and experiences; they can provide valuable insights into the field. Follow experienced professionals, try different approaches, and leverage your strengths from previous experiences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although self-taught UX designers face challenges, especially in getting hired by big tech companies and learning certain aspects of UX design on their own, success is achievable. It requires staying curious, resilient, and open to continually improving skills.

Despite obstacles, the dedication and passion of self-taught professionals can lead to rewarding careers in UX design.

Acknowledgements

Our gratitude goes out to all the survey participants allowing us to gain profound insights and perspectives on self-taught UX design. 🙏

Special thanks to the following self-taught UX professionals and survey participants who went beyond the survey’s limitations of anonymity and shared their perspectives in detail with DesignWhine. ❤️