{"id":4294,"date":"2024-12-13T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/?p=4294"},"modified":"2024-12-11T04:14:21","modified_gmt":"2024-12-11T11:14:21","slug":"ux-design-major","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/ux-design-major\/","title":{"rendered":"UX Design Major: Studying for Your Dream Career"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Despite the consistently high demand for UX designers, user experience design majors are still few and far between. That said, this scarcity of UX-specific majors doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t still have a successful career in UX.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You have options beyond a UX design major. In today\u2019s guide, we\u2019ll discuss these options in more depth so you can embark on the most rewarding educative journey!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pexels-cottonbro-6344238.jpg\" alt=\"Three students sitting in a university library looking at a stack of books. \n\" class=\"wp-image-4295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pexels-cottonbro-6344238.jpg 640w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pexels-cottonbro-6344238-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Best Majors for UX Design\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/how-to-become-a-ux-designer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UX designers<\/a> have to utilize a wide range of skills every day, including competencies in psychology, technology, and visual design. The best majors will enable you to expand and refine these skill sets, contributing to your career prospects.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To point you in the right direction, we\u2019ve explored the most beneficial, skill-enhancing majors below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Human-Computer Interaction\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>UX design would be incomplete without <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/what-is-human-computer-interaction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">human-computer interaction<\/a> (HCI).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>HCI refers to the study of how people interact with different technologies. Beyond studying these interactions, HCI specialists aim to optimize them by designing user interfaces from which users derive value. Sound familiar?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>HCI majors are perfect for budding UX designers, especially since they combine human perception, <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/ux-design-principles-what-you-dont-already-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UX design principles<\/a>, and computer science. They are research-heavy, and we don\u2019t have to tell you how integral user research is to the UX design process.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of HCI\u2019s dedication to cognitive sciences, HCI majors provide insights into both the technical and behavioral aspects of UX. You\u2019d even acquire invaluable practical experience as you create prototypes during hands-on projects.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unsurprisingly, by acquiring an HCI degree, you\u2019ll also have many career prospects. From UX design and <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/what-is-ui-design-the-ins-and-outs-of-user-interface-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UI design<\/a> to software engineering and product management, HCI can open a lot of doors.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"486\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/milad-fakurian-58Z17lnVS4U-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"A white human brain floats against a pale yellow and blue background. \n\" class=\"wp-image-4296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/milad-fakurian-58Z17lnVS4U-unsplash.jpg 640w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/milad-fakurian-58Z17lnVS4U-unsplash-300x228.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Psychology\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Aptly named, <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/user-experience-design-learn-the-basics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">user experience design<\/a> revolves around the end user. To create successful digital products, you need to understand the many complexities of the human mind. Needless to say, a psychology major is perfect for this endeavor.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being a psychology major will allow you to explore the intricacies of human behavior, emotions, and thought processes. With this knowledge, you\u2019ll acquire a greater understanding of how your future users perceive the world around them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also learn about the crucial social, biological, cognitive, and emotional factors that affect these perceptions. So, when you become a UX designer, you\u2019ll understand what will motivate your users and what will frustrate them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This knowledge will not only help your <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/user-research-everything-you-must-know-about-acquiring-data\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">user research<\/a> but also improve the way you design user interfaces. Just think, with your understanding of cognitive loads, you\u2019ll be able to structure your product\u2019s content without overwhelming your users.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plus, if you find that you love psychology more than <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/what-is-ux-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UX design<\/a>, you can pursue a great number of careers. From becoming a counseling psychologist to securing a role as a social researcher, the world is your oyster.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Graphic Design\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By studying a <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/what-is-graphic-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">graphic design<\/a> major, you\u2019ll learn how to leverage visual communication to create compelling visual designs. You\u2019ll dive deep into the visual elements that make modern digital products engaging, including typography, color, illustration, and animation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/how-to-learn-ux-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">learn UX design<\/a>, you should definitely consider majoring in graphic design. This is because the work of a graphic designer closely resembles that of a UX designer. Specifically, graphic design students have to solve design problems, exercising their design thinking, design mapping, and portfolio development skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Graphic design students will also become proficient in design software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop while collaborating with other designers. Such competencies would help you refine both the technical and soft skills that every UX designer needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, your graphic design degree can lead you to many rewarding careers beyond the UX and graphic design industries. For instance, you could secure a role as a web designer, digital marketer, and illustrator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pexels-trvlust-3221145.jpg\" alt=\"The hood of a lime-green Lamborghini car against a black background.  \n\" class=\"wp-image-4297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pexels-trvlust-3221145.jpg 640w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pexels-trvlust-3221145-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Industrial Design\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Industrial design (ID) focuses on creating and testing various products, such as cars, furniture, and technologies. A major in ID will introduce you to the lucrative blend of art, business, science, and user experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During your studies, you\u2019ll also get the opportunity to delve into inclusive product design, design methodologies, and digital tools. As an added bonus, there is no shortage of hands-on experience, collaborative projects, and chances for in-depth product analysis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Above all, an ID major will put your problem-solving abilities to the test. You\u2019ll have to ideate multiple design solutions, adapting to a variety of contextual factors and design specifications.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After acquiring your ID degree, you could become a product designer, architect, interior designer, and, of course, a UX designer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Interaction Design\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An interaction design major is another major that explores the relationship between people and technology. By studying this major, you\u2019ll explore the components of HCI in great depth, scrutinizing <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/task-flow-vs-user-flow-explained-for-ux-designers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">task flows<\/a>, user interactions, and contexts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also focus heavily on using design practices to make your own designs more inclusive, accessible, and human-centered. Not only will this significantly improve your approach to problem-solving, but it will also help you enhance your design\u2019s usability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like the other majors we\u2019ve discussed, you\u2019ll also have ample opportunities to showcase your new competencies within your prototypes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you were to earn an interaction design degree, you could become a UX, UI, and interaction designer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pexels-pixabay-159740.jpg\" alt=\"A large group of college students studying inside a huge, well-lit university library. \n\" class=\"wp-image-4298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pexels-pixabay-159740.jpg 640w, https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/pexels-pixabay-159740-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Best Colleges With UX Design Majors\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To help you even further, we\u2019ve listed some of the colleges that are worthy of your contemplation below.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Carnegie Mellon University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University of Washington<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Georgia Institute of Technology<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stanford University<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University of Maryland\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University of California &#8211; Berkeley\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Parsons School of Design<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Massachusetts Institute of Technology\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>UX Design Major: Improve Your Skills With Page Flows<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Each major we\u2019ve discussed can catalyze your emergence into the UX industry. Choose wisely, and think of the skills you need to work on the most.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to your major, there are other ways you can enhance your skills, like working alongside Page Flows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Page Flows is a comprehensive <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/user-flow-your-guide-to-how-users-use-your-product\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">user flow<\/a> hub where you can find top-tier, annotated recordings and screenshots. Through our flows, you\u2019ll learn how to master intuitive in-product navigation at every stage of the user\u2019s journey.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our resources are as detailed as they are versatile, capturing exceptional desktop and mobile app UX across dozens of industries. With such variety, you\u2019ll never struggle to find the inspiration that perfectly accommodates your specific needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pair the trove of knowledge of a UX design major with the abundance of inspiration you\u2019ll receive from Page Flows. You\u2019ll find that achieving your goals is easier than you first thought. <a href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get started today<\/a> to learn the fundamental user flow design skills that every proficient UX designer has!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1733915372466\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What should I major in for UX design?\u00a0<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>If you want to become a proficient user experience designer, consider studying the following UX design majors:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Graphic Design\u00a0<br \/>&#8211; Interaction Design\u00a0<br \/>&#8211; Psychology\u00a0<br \/>&#8211; Human-Computer Interaction\u00a0<br \/>&#8211; Computer Science\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1733915428651\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What do UX designers major in?\u00a0<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>A lot of UX designers major in industrial design, graphic design, psychology, information technology, and even anthropology.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1733915437274\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is UX design a STEM major?\u00a0<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, UX design is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) major. UX designers use scientific research methods to understand their target users and their decisions are data-driven.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite the consistently high demand for UX designers, user experience design majors are still few and far between. That said, this scarcity of UX-specific majors doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t still have a successful career in &#8230; <a title=\"UX Design Major: Studying for Your Dream Career\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/ux-design-major\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about UX Design Major: Studying for Your Dream Career\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":4296,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[10],"class_list":["post-4294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"authors":[{"term_id":10,"user_id":7,"is_guest":0,"slug":"page-flows-team","display_name":"Page Flows Team","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cropped-logo@2x.png","url2x":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/cropped-logo@2x.png"},"author_category":"","first_name":"Page Flows","last_name":"Team","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":"The Page Flows Team is a collective of passionate UX design professionals dedicated to delivering insightful content on user experience and design principles. With diverse backgrounds and expertise, our contributing writers bring you the latest trends, tips, and research in the UX field. Each article is crafted with a focus on empathy, innovation, and a commitment to enhancing user interactions.\r\nOutside of writing, our team members draw inspiration from various pursuits such as outdoor activities, art, and continuous learning, fueling their creativity and drive to push the boundaries of UX design. The Page Flows Team is committed to providing valuable resources and engaging content to help you stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of user experience."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4294"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4294\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4299,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4294\/revisions\/4299"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4294"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pageflows.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=4294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}