Free Learning Roadmap

How to Become a UX Designer

Research, wireframing, prototyping, design systems, accessibility. Turns user problems into product decisions that engineering can build.

Topics
10
Resources
32
Cost
Free
Most resources are free or freemium
Format
Self-paced

1. UX Foundations

core
First Principles

Norman's Design of Everyday Things is the foundational text. Affordances, mappings, feedback, constraints — read once, reference always.

Nielsen's 10 Heuristics

The evaluative framework every UX designer should have memorised. Visibility of system status, match with real world, user control...

2. User Research

core
Qualitative Research

User interviews, contextual inquiry, diary studies. The Mom Test applies to designers too.

Usability Testing

Moderated vs unmoderated, remote vs in-person, task-based scenarios. 5 users find 85% of issues (Nielsen).

3. Information Architecture

core
IA Fundamentals

Card sorting, tree testing, navigation systems, taxonomies. Structure precedes visuals.

4. Wireframing & Prototyping

core
Figma Mastery

Auto-layout, components, variants, prototypes, dev handoff. Figma is the industry-default tool.

Prototyping — Fidelity Ladders

Paper → low-fi → hi-fi → interactive. Match fidelity to the question you're trying to answer.

5. Visual & Interaction Design

core
Typography, Colour, Layout

Rhythm, hierarchy, contrast. Refactoring UI is the fastest practical read.

Motion & Micro-interactions

When motion clarifies, when it distracts. Framer Motion, Rive, Lottie for high-fidelity motion.

6. Design Systems

core
Design System Fundamentals

Tokens, primitives, components, patterns, docs. How to build a system, not just a library.

7. Accessibility

core
WCAG & Inclusive Design

WCAG 2.2 AA is the ethical floor, not the ceiling. Colour contrast, keyboard navigation, screen reader support, cognitive load.

8. Working with Engineering & Product

core
Design-Dev Handoff

Dev-mode annotations, redlines, spec expectations. Reduce back-and-forth by writing specs the way an engineer would want to read them.

Design Critique

Structured feedback, objective language, separating taste from craft. Facilitates trust with cross-functional partners.

9. Portfolio

core
Case Study Craft

Problem, approach, decisions, outcomes. Show the thinking, not just the pixels.

10. Career & Voices

optional
Voices to Follow

Where working designers actually learn.

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Curated by WhatTNext Ai · methodology · all roadmaps · last updated 2026-07-29