How to break into the growing field of UI/UX design

Mario and Luigi. Peanut butter and jelly. Human-computer interaction and design. Some things are just perfect together. And that’s why user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design are two of the hottest skills in the interactive and immersive industries right now.  

If you already have a background in graphic design, transitioning into UI or UX design could be the perfect next step for your creative career. Ready to dive in? Here, we share the tools, courses, and expert insights to help you leap into either design discipline. 

What is UI/UX design? 

Both UI and UX design encompass the art and science of connecting people to digital experiences. While user psychology in UX focuses on the journey – how a user thinks, feels, and behaves while using an interface – user interface theory is about making everything look and work in a way that’s functional, smooth, and memorable. Put simply, UI is how the product looks, and UX is how it works. The two are closely linked but require different skill sets and complementary approaches to deliver an effective end product. 

Why UI/UX design is a growing field 

UI design isn’t just about making things pretty. It’s about creating digital experiences that work seamlessly and leave users saying ‘this feels right, this feels good’. It’s about understanding the psychology behind how people interact with technology – what they need, and what drives their behaviour. Similarly, UX design needs to extend beyond simple functionality to create an experience that’s intuitive, engaging, and truly user-centred. 

This isn’t just the case for digital products, either. UI and UX design are also critical in enhancing real-life interactive and immersive environments. From branded experiences to museums to theme parks, these rely on thoughtful UI and UX design to deliver memorable and engaging journeys for users. They’re what make the technology feel natural and exciting, whether it’s interactive exhibits, augmented reality installations, or something in between.  

This deep dive into user interface psychology and how people experience products is what separates great designers from the rest. And it’s why UI and UX disciplines are no longer a niche. Right now, both are increasingly sought-after skills, powering everything from apps to games, websites, and immersive environments. And with such rapid growth in the digital world, now is the opportune time to jump in and learn how to design experiences people love.  

How to get ahead in UI/UX design 

Whether you're a graphic designer looking to transition into more interactive media or a game designer keen to dream up better user experiences, the best next step is to join one of the UK’s top animation, games, and VFX schools.  

At Escape Studios, we’re leaders in developing the next generation of UI and UX designers with two cutting-edge courses designed to get you industry-ready and advance your career.

MA UI/UX for Games and Interactive Media  

This postgraduate degree in MA UI/UX for Games and Interactive Media dives into the principles that blend technical expertise with artistic vision. We’ll walk you through user experience psychology, showing you how to use it to put user interface design theory into real-world interfaces to build beautiful experiences.  

UI/UX for Games and Interactive Media  

If you’re looking to level up in the essentials of UI/UX for Games and Interactive Media, this short course gives you hands-on experience in both UI and UX, motion graphics, and the development pipeline. You’ll immerse yourself in two to three modules of core principles that shape user experiences, exploring technical and artistic approaches and the psychology of user interface design. 

Take the first step 

The future of UI/UX design? It’s bright. Really bright. And as industries like gaming, VFX, and interactive media continue to evolve, the demand for skilled UI and UX designers who understand user experience and psychology is skyrocketing.  

Whether you’re interested in a postgraduate degree or want a short course to work around your lifestyle, we’re here to help you build a career you love in either design discipline.