UX design is a complex process that requires a wide palette of skills and an understanding of many different areas. Here are a few things that contribute to the fact that the subject has its own pool of expertise.
Multidisciplinary competence : UX design combines several different fields, such as psychology, user interface design, behavioral sciences, technical competence and aesthetic design. This requires multidisciplinary expertise, which not everyone necessarily has or which requires a lot of learning.
User-oriented thinking : UX design focuses on user needs and experiences. This requires empathy and the ability to deeply understand different user groups. Not everyone has the innate ability to put themselves in the user’s shoes or see problems from their perspective.
Lack of research and analysis skills : The UX process often begins with user research, which requires systematic data collection, analysis and understanding of research methods. Without strong research expertise, it can be difficult to make informed decisions that improve the user experience.
Holistic Experience Design : UX design is not limited to just visual design, but covers the entire user path. This means designing many different parts, such as navigation, usability, user interface, and user interaction. Understanding the whole of the system and coordinating all these elements is challenging.
Technical understanding and limitations : UX designers also need to understand technical limitations and opportunities, such as features of coding or programming platforms. This understanding of the technical side can be a challenge if the designer only focuses on visual or behavioral science perspectives.
Iterative and feedback-oriented working : UX design is a continuous process where changes are made based on user testing and feedback. This iterative way of working requires patience and the ability to adapt to feedback, which can be difficult for those used to a more straightforward design process.
Balancing aesthetics and usability : Good UX design requires balancing aesthetics and usability. Not all designers know how to find a balance between visual elements and functionality, which is an important skill in creating a good user experience.
Anticipating user needs : All people’s needs and expectations are different, and a UX designer must be able to anticipate these different user needs and modify the design to serve as many as possible. This requires the ability to analyze and understand the behavior of different user profiles.
UX design requires a combination of technical, creative and user-oriented thinking, not everyone can master all these skills or find a balance between them. Therefore, UX design requires special skills.