Phase 1: Foundation – Understanding Design Basics
Goal: Build a solid foundation in design thinking, user psychology, and visual design.
1️⃣Understand What UI/UX Design Is
- UI (User Interface): Visual elements of digital products (buttons, icons, colors, typography).
- UX (User Experience): How the user interacts, navigates, and feels using the product.
2️⃣ Learn Core Design Principles
- Color theory
- Typography
- Spacing and layout
- Visual hierarchy
- Balance & contrast
3️⃣ Learn Design Thinking Process
- Empathize → Understand the user
- Define → Identify their problems
- Ideate → Generate creative solutions
- Prototype → Build a mockup
- Test → Collect feedback & improve
Recommended free resources:
- Google UX Design Course (Coursera)
- “The Design of Everyday Things” by Don Norman
- YouTube channels: DesignCourse, AJ&Smart, Mizko, and UX Now (India-based)
Phase 2: Tools Mastery (Practical Skills)
Goal: Become skilled in the main design tools used by professionals.
Essential Tools to Learn
| Category | Tools |
| UI Design | Figma, Adobe XD |
| Graphic Design | Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop |
| Prototyping | Figma, Marvel, InVision |
| Collaboration | Notion, FigJam, Miro |
Focus on mastering Figma first – it’s the industry standard in India.
Phase 3: UX Research & Strategy
Goal: Learn to make user-centered decisions through data and research.
Learn UX Research Techniques
- User interviews
- Personas & user journey maps
- Usability testing
- Competitive analysis
- Information architecture
Recommended reads:
- “Lean UX” by Jeff Gothelf
- “Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug
Phase 4: UI Design Excellence
Goal: Create beautiful, functional interfaces.
Learn:
- Layout design (grids, spacing)
- Design systems & components
- Responsive & adaptive design
- Accessibility (WCAG)
- Micro-interactions & animations
Practice: Recreate app designs from Dribbble or Behance to improve your sense of style and precision.
Phase 5: UX Writing & Interaction Design
Goal: Enhance clarity and user flow through words and movement.
Learn:
- Writing for buttons, menus, and alerts
- Creating onboarding flows
- Interaction states (hover, click, loading)
- Using motion to guide users
Bonus: Study good UX from Indian apps — Zomato, Swiggy, Paytm, and CRED.
Phase 6: Portfolio & Case Studies
Goal: Build a portfolio that gets you hired.
Steps:
- Pick 3–4 projects (real or mock).
- Document the full UX process:
- Problem → Research → Wireframes → Design → Prototype → Test → Result.
- Problem → Research → Wireframes → Design → Prototype → Test → Result.
- Host your designs on:
- Behance
- Dribbble
- Personal website (WordPress, Framer, or Webflow)
Pro tip: Recruiters in India love case studies that show design reasoning, not just visuals.
Phase 7: Frontend Basics (Optional but Powerful)
Goal: Understand how designs are implemented.
Learn Basics Of:
- HTML & CSS
- JavaScript fundamentals
- Design handoff tools (Zeplin, Figma Inspect)
💡 Knowing front-end helps you collaborate better with developers.
Phase 8: Internships & Freelancing
Goal: Get real-world experience and build credibility.
How to Start:
- Apply on: Internshala, LinkedIn, AngelList India, and Indeed.
- Freelance on: Fiverr, Upwork, Toptal.
- Volunteer with NGOs or startups for real UX problems.
Portfolio Tip: Even 2 strong case studies can land you a paid internship.
Phase 9: Advanced Growth
Goal: Become a well-rounded product designer.
Learn Advanced Topics:
- UX analytics (Hotjar, Google Analytics)
- A/B testing
- Design systems (Material UI, Human Interface Guidelines)
- AI-assisted design (Figma AI, Uizard, Galileo AI)
Optional Advanced Courses:
- Interaction Design Foundation
- Nielsen Norman Group UX Certification
Phase 10: Career Path & Salary in India
| Role | Experience | Average Salary (INR/year) |
| Junior UI/UX Designer | 0–1 yr | ₹3–6 LPA |
| Mid-level Designer | 2–4 yrs | ₹6–10 LPA |
| Senior UI/UX Designer | 5+ yrs | ₹10–20 LPA |
| Product Designer / Design Lead | 7+ yrs | ₹20–40 LPA |
Top Companies in India Hiring Designers:
- Swiggy, Zomato, Paytm, Flipkart, Razorpay, Infosys, Zoho, TCS, and startups like Lenskart & Meesho.
Final Goal
By following this roadmap for 6–12 months, you can confidently:
- Design real-world web & mobile apps
- Build a portfolio that attracts clients
- Apply for UI/UX jobs or freelance projects
