Architecture and UI/UX designing careers have many similarities and the transition between these two can be quite easy.
If you’re one of those curious architects looking for a change, here’s a guide on how this journey can be simpler. The reason can be anything, be it the long execution time or less scope of corrections; there’s always scope for you to change your career field.
Here are a few reasons why you as an architect will make a great UI/UX designer.
Identical design process
Architects and UI/UX designers follow a similar work order. Both professionals first understand the goal and limitations, think about ideas for the final design, make prototypes, and then finally test/build it. You as an architect, also have a fair understanding of several design tools like Adobe CC, AutoCAD, and 3D Max.
Similar team dynamics
Both these career professionals have project management skills, be it to deal with contractors or with developers. This is a very important skill as you need to handle the needs of your clients while considering the needs of your team.
People-centric jobs
In both these fields, it is extremely crucial to think with a human-first mindset. The ability to empathize is of utmost importance. Architects are already trained to understand the needs and reactions of people, which makes them almost ready to take on UI/UX projects.
You know the drill
As an architect, you already know the fundamentals of each decision in design. You not only know it, but you exactly know how to own that decision. You can push innovation and take the right decision to try those new things.
Now that you know the similarities, let’s move on to the reasons why you could consider this shift.
Your success as an architect can only be measured by how happy your client is but there are few more tasks when it comes to a UI/UX designer. But as a designer, you can judge by your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) like timely tasks, user error rates, App ratings, and system usability scale. You can access your success timely while working towards the goal.
Your current field means building something that will last for a long period with a lower chance of making architectural changes later; hence you may have the pressure to be perfect. But, with UI/UX designing, you have the option to test, identify failure points, and improve basis that. You need not take the pressure as no one will expect you to be perfect on the first go.
Designing gives you a chance to work faster and get faster results than the time-taking results in architecture. You need to work out specific permits, zoning, etc., and wait for a long time to get the results of your work. But in designing, the work cycle is faster, and you can get the results in just a few days.
It’s a sad reality that this field is quite a male-dominated career field, with very few equal options for females. It might as well be said that there are fewer barriers to the designing career.
If you’ve decided to move on with this transition, here are a few tips for you.
Present your ideas more. Embrace the process and the criticism with it but continue to reach out and showcase your talent. There are several sites like dribble or Behance to help you out.
Take inspiration from others or you may even choose a mentor to guide you throughout. Just make sure that you continue the creation process and try not to stagnate.
Lastly, both these fields involve research, sketching, setting goals, and designing a solution to meet the goal. And the best part of transitioning is that you can now define your own goals and create your benchmark for success. You are already trained to shape the world with your design and the only difference is the medium. So, use that aesthetic sense to win over and conquer this new career path.
At Felix-ITs, we have so many candidates from various backgrounds like architecture, mechanical engineering, information technology and many more. We can guide you on many verticals if you are an architect looking for a change. Visit www.felix-its.com and explore career oriented courses.
