OVERVIEW
What Is a UX Strategist?
A UX strategist acts as a bridge between UX design and business strategy. UX strategists manage teams of designers that work to enhance a website’s usability. Additionally, UX strategists communicate often with business leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that user-centered design and content strategy line up with business goals. Without the guidance and input of UX strategists, a business is more likely to struggle in their sales and marketing efforts.
Most UX strategists have experience in web design, computer science, or business management. Many work as UX designers before transitioning to a strategic role. While they do not always apply design skills on a regular basis, UX strategists may benefit from experience in digital or graphic design roles. However, all UX strategists should be competent user researchers, team leaders, and interdepartmental collaborators.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a UX Strategist Do?
UX strategists act in a high-level role as the custodians of UX design objectives. This means that they set UX goals, define key performance indicators (KPIs), and standardize UX conventions for consistency. UX strategists analyze trends in online user behavior, and they research ways to meet evolving user needs. Doing so allows UX strategists to create the blueprints for highly functional and intuitive websites that are attractive to users and that help nurture an organization’s brand.
In addition to managing and mentoring UX designers, UX strategists meet with marketing directors, product and service managers, and other executive leaders to educate them on UX objectives and how a user-focused approach to web design can contribute to an organization’s long-term health and success.
Other key duties of UX strategists include the following:
- Corresponding with software developers, including front-end developers, to align on website goals.
- Researching best UX practices.
- Consulting with clients on UX design matters.
- Planning and presiding over user testing sessions to improve UX design processes.
- Preparing and presenting briefs on UX strategy.
- Sharing ideas with content strategists, creative directors, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Developing and iterating on an overall UX vision.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a UX Strategist?
Many—if not all—UX strategists receive some form of higher education to learn the fundamentals of UX design and principles of business strategy. They typically gain work experience in a lower-level role before stepping into a strategic role.
Consider the following steps as you prepare to become a UX strategist:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree. Earning a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, UX design, human-computer interaction, or a similar subject can equip you with the knowledge you’ll need. Obtaining a master’s degree in a relevant field could increase your earning potential or position you for promotion.
- Gain on-the-job experience. For example, you might work as an entry- or mid-level web designer to learn which kinds of skills you’ll need to develop.
- Get certified. Look to industry certifications to attain deeper knowledge of UX design and strategy. Doing so may help set you apart from competition in the job market.
- Seek career-long improvement. Continue to learn beyond the fundamentals. You might participate in UX workshops or attend annual UX summits.
Best Degrees for a UX Strategist
Business
User Experience Design – B.S.
An online UX Design program designed for students who want to become...
An online UX Design program designed for students who want to become business-savvy designers that can generate best-in-class, customer-centric products and services.
- Time: 60% of students finish similar programs in 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Wireframing and Prototyping
- Artificial Intelligence
- Accessible Design
- Figma Design Software
- UI/UX Research
- User Testing
- Adobe Express
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
How Much Does a UX Strategist Make?
$98,540
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary in May 2023 for digital and UX designers was $98,540. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,210, while the highest 10% earned more than $176,490. UX strategists can expect to earn as much or more, depending on their level of seniority.
What Is the Job Outlook?
16%
The BLS states that employment of digital and UX designers is projected to grow by 16% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. UX strategists can expect a similar job outlook.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a UX Strategist Need?
UX strategists foster a balanced set of hard and soft skills to achieve their professional goals. The following skills are useful for UX strategists:
- Understanding of UX design principles. UX strategists must rely on their knowledge of UX design to develop meaningful and accurate UX goals.
- Project management. Sometimes, UX strategists are involved in multiple projects at once and need to learn how to manage priorities accordingly.
- Problem-solving. The tasks of UX strategists may demand a high level of creative and critical thinking.
- Writing and communication. UX strategists should be comfortable drafting written briefs and communicating with coworkers, clients, and stakeholders.
- Leadership. Successful UX strategists know how to lead others and inspire them to improve.
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