Insider tips on how to become a UX Designer

Calista Kartadinata is a third-year international student from Indonesia pursuing a Bachelor of UX and Web Design at Billy Blue College of Design.

Her journey into the field has already taken her through a trio of impressive milestones: a three-month internship at the interactive live-streaming platform RoundTable, her current role as an Associate Experience Designer at Bizkit Group, and an internship with none other than Vogue Australia.

These accomplishments are early career highlights for Calista, but they’re also insights into what it takes to become a User Experience (UX) Designer in Australia today. 

Whether you're exploring how to become a UX Designer, curious about what UX Designers do, or wondering whether you can learn UI/UX quickly, Calista's story is a great inspiration.

What is a User Experience Designer?

A UX/UI Designer focuses on creating seamless, intuitive digital experiences. This means designing everything from mobile apps to websites in a way that meets user needs while achieving business goals.

UX design is rooted in user research, usability testing, wireframing and interaction design. It’s about solving problems by putting humans at the centre of design.

But what do User Experience Designers do on a day-to-day basis? According to Calista, it's a blend of creativity and strategic thinking:

“I do what you’d expect from a UX Designer: designing mobile apps and websites, iterating on feedback, and lately, participating in client meetings,” she says.

“The more I go through my journey as a UX Designer, the more I learn how dynamic and exciting this role is. I’m always adapting to new technologies, trends, and user needs. It’s a continuous learning process that keeps my curiosity and passion alive.”

“For me, being a UX Designer is truly fulfilling because it gives me the opportunity to create meaningful impact in people’s lives through what I create.”

At Billy Blue, we’re not interested in cookie-cutter creatives. We’re interested in helping students like Calista to master design.

How to get into UX Design

The big question is, how do I become a UX Designer?

The path isn't one-size-fits-all, but Calista's experience highlights several key ingredients for success: education, practical experience, tool proficiency, and a strong portfolio.

Let’s check out the essential steps that helped her become a UX/UI Designer that could help you too.

Formal education and qualification

To become a UX Designer in Australia, it’s not strictly necessary, but a relevant qualification will help you excel in the job market. While you can take the self-taught route, or try short courses or bootcamps, getting a formal degree can provide structure, depth, and invaluable mentorship opportunities.

Calista weighed her options before enrolling at Billy Blue, but decided it was important to get a degree.

“This is a big question, especially since many people work in UX without a formal Design degree,” she says.

“What I realised is that studying UX is more than career prep. People with different backgrounds think and approach problems in unique ways, and a degree helps develop and navigate different mindsets.”

“Deciding to study UX was part of a bigger journey of figuring out who I am and what I want. Ultimately, studying UX at a university gives you a clear, supported path to launch your career, just like most degrees do.”

When choosing where to study, Calista had some specific needs.

“I wasn’t just looking for a university with a good reputation, I wanted a hands-on learning experience. The lecturers here are always challenging students to push the boundaries while supporting our passions. The assignments feel like real client projects with unique challenges, which build problem-solving skills.”

Billy Blue isn’t your average design school. We champion creative rebels who want to make digital experiences better and bolder.

Importance of practical experience and internships

Practical experience is where theory comes to life. Internships offer a controlled environment to apply your skills, gain confidence, and build your resume, all under the watchful eye of an industry-experienced supervisor.

“Landing an internship felt like a big milestone for me,” says Calista. “It gave me the chance to apply what I had learned in a real-world setting, but still in a learning environment.”

Her first internship at RoundTable was especially impactful.

“The most rewarding part was seeing my designs launched. I also developed important soft skills like communication, responding to feedback, and pushing creative boundaries, skills I started building at uni.”

Real-world briefs. Actual clients. Genuine impact. At Billy Blue, practical experience is more than a buzzword, it’s our baseline, and it really shows for students like Calista.

Design skillset and proficiency in design tools

One of the most common questions we get asked is, "What do you need to be a UX Designer?" The answer includes a toolkit of essential software and an understanding of the user journey.

Calista’s go-to tool? Figma.

“I use Figma for everything: designing interfaces, graphic design, writing, brainstorming, moodboarding, collaborating, presentations, note-taking, even resumes and cover letters. Having everything in one place is just super convenient for me.”

She also leans on Procreate, her iPad and physical notebooks.

“I use Procreate to tweak images, create assets, and digital wireframe sketches. I still love jotting ideas, wireframes, and brainstorming by hand. But when it’s impractical to carry that around, my iPad comes in handy.”

Her go-to platforms for inspiration? Pinterest for general design inspiration, Mobbin for real app and website references, and Awwwards and Framer for creative and animated web design ideas.

Other essentials include ChatGPT for copywriting and brainstorming, and Trello or sticky notes for task management.

And honestly, design tools come and go. It’s curiosity and adaptability that set Billy Blue grads apart.

Showcasing your projects and portfolio

If you're serious about becoming a UX/UI Designer, you need a portfolio, a curated experience that tells your story as a Designer.

Calista chose to showcase her work through a personal website, which she was able to bring to life as part of her third-year subject, ‘Portfolio’.

“It’s the best way to showcase not just the projects, but also your design skills,” she says. “A website allows you to feature images, videos, and case studies all in one place.

“It’s not just about the work itself, it’s also about how you tell the story behind it, how you present your thought process and the outcomes.”

Wondering how to become a UX Designer with no experience? A solid portfolio demonstrates that you've done the work, even if it's academic or self-initiated.

Need inspo? View Calista's portfolio.

Tips for getting into the UX design field

Calista has some powerful advice for UX hopefuls:

• Be active on LinkedIn: “I started connecting with people in my first year, even if I wasn’t super active at first. After launching my portfolio and sharing my work, I was surprised by the positive response.”
• Know your goals and stay passionate: “Landing the first UX role is usually the hardest part. Many graduates and career switchers take months to get there. I worked hard on my goals, and thankfully, I was able to secure a job while still studying. Balancing work, study, and projects is tough, but following your passion helps you make the best choices.”
• Attend conferences and meetups: “Sydney has amazing UX communities. My first industry event was UX Australia 2023, where I volunteered to get free access there. That experience helped me build meaningful connections.” She recommends groups like Friends of Figma, Sydney Design Thinking, and EUX for valuable, low-cost networking opportunities.

A little tip: “Don’t focus on job hunting at these events. See them as opportunities to build genuine, long-term relationships, like making a friend in the industry!”

There is no single answer for how to get into UX design. But Calista’s story shows how a mix of education, experience, and passion can lead to a fulfilling career as a User Experience Designer.

Whether you're starting from scratch or making a career switch, there's never been a better time to explore what it means to design digital experiences that matter.