How to Become a UX Consultant [+Tools and Resources]

Embarking on a career as a UX consultant involves a combination of education, skills development, and practical experience.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to transition into this role, understanding the key steps and requirements is essential.

This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the path to becoming a successful UX consultant.

Let’s dive in!

TL;DR

• A UX consultant improves the usability and user experience of digital products by analyzing user behavior, conducting tests, and providing recommendations. In the SaaS industry, they optimize user flows, increase engagement, and ensure seamless feature integration, working closely with product managers and developers.
• The typical career path for a UX consultant includes:
  • Junior UX designer (assisting senior designers with tasks such as research and wireframing)
  • UX designer (leading smaller projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams)
  • Senior UX designer (leading major projects, mentoring junior designers, developing design strategies)
  • UX consultant (offering specialized consulting services to various clients, providing strategic advice)
  • Principal UX consultant (leading multiple consulting projects and overseeing UX strategy for large organizations)
• To become a UX consultant, start with a relevant degree, gain practical experience, enhance your skills with boot camps or certifications, and continuously update your knowledge. Networking and joining UX communities will also help advance your career.
• UX consultants utilize a variety of tools to enhance their work. Some essential tools include Userpilot for user onboarding and feedback, Monday.com for project management, and Figma for UI/UX design.
• Looking into tools for UX consultants? Userpilot is an all-in-one product platform with engagement features and powerful analytics capabilities. Book a demo to see it in action!

UX/UI Design and Research Teams Can Use Userpilot to:

• Recruit Users for Usability Tests with Usage Analytics and Segmentation
• Collect User Feedback with In-App Surveys
• Understand Product Usage with Product Analytics

Get a Demo

• 14 Day Trial
• No Credit Card Required

What is a UX consultant?

A UX consultant improves the usability and user experience of digital products by analyzing user behavior, conducting tests, and providing recommendations.

In the SaaS industry, they optimize user flows, increase engagement, and ensure seamless feature integration – working closely with product managers and developers to align design with business goals.

UX consultant’s main responsibilities

A UX consultant plays a crucial role in enhancing the usability and overall user experience of digital products, particularly in the SaaS industry. They focus on user-centered design principles to ensure products are intuitive, efficient, and aligned with business goals.

The main responsibilities of a UX consultant are:

• Conduct user research: Gather insights through user interviews, surveys, and usability tests to understand user behaviors, needs, and pain points.
• Analyze user data: Evaluate user feedback and analytics to identify trends and areas for improvement in the user experience.
• Develop user personas and scenarios: Create detailed personas and scenarios to represent different user types and guide design decisions.
• Design recommendations: Provide actionable design recommendations based on research findings to improve user interfaces and interactions.
• Create wireframes and prototypes: Develop wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to visualize design concepts and test solutions.
• Optimize user flows: Design and refine user flows to enhance user engagement, onboarding, and feature adoption.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams: Work closely with product managers, designers, and developers to ensure design solutions align with business goals and user needs.
• Conduct usability testing: Plan, execute and analyze usability tests to validate design changes and ensure a seamless user experience.
• Document design processes: Maintain comprehensive documentation of research findings, design decisions, and recommendations for future reference.

These responsibilities ensure that SaaS products are not only functional but also provide an exceptional user experience, driving user satisfaction and retention.

UX consultant career path

The career path of a UX consultant involves progressing through various roles that build on experience, skills, and leadership capabilities.

List of typical UX Consultant roles.

Junior UX designer

As a junior UX designer, you begin by assisting senior designers with tasks such as conducting user research, creating wireframes, and supporting the development of design projects.

This role is critical for gaining practical experience, learning design tools, and building a strong portfolio. It provides a foundation for understanding user needs, interaction principles, and the collaborative nature of design work.

UX designer

Progressing to a UX designer, you take on more responsibility by leading smaller projects and collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including developers and product managers.

Your duties expand to include conducting usability testing, refining user interfaces based on feedback, and ensuring that design solutions are user-friendly and aligned with business goals.

Senior UX designer

With several years of experience, you advance to a senior UX designer. In this position, you lead major design projects, mentor junior designers, and play a key role in developing design strategies.

Your responsibilities include overseeing the creation of detailed design specifications, ensuring consistency across all user interfaces, and driving the overall user experience vision. This role demands a deep understanding of user behavior, advanced problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage and inspire a design team.

UX consultant

As a UX consultant, you offer specialized consulting services to various clients, providing strategic advice and design solutions to improve their digital products. You conduct in-depth user research, analyze usability data, and make informed recommendations to enhance user experience.

This role requires staying updated with industry trends, continuously improving your skills through advanced training and certifications, and leveraging your extensive experience to influence design practices.

Principal UX consultant

At the pinnacle of your career, you become a principal UX consultant where you lead multiple consulting projects and oversee the UX strategy for large organizations. Your role involves mentoring other consultants and design professionals.

This position demands extensive experience, leadership prowess, and a comprehensive understanding of both design and business dynamics.

How to become a UX consultant?

To become a UX consultant, start with a bachelor’s degree in UX design, human-computer interaction, or a related field. Gain practical experience through internships or entry-level positions to build a strong portfolio.

Enhance your skills with UX bootcamps or certifications, and continuously update your knowledge through workshops and online courses. Networking with professionals and joining UX communities will also help advance your career.

What skills should a UX consultant have?

A UX consultant needs a diverse set of skills to effectively analyze, design, and improve user experiences in digital products. These skills are essential for conducting thorough research, making informed design decisions, and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

• User research: Proficiency in conducting user interviews, surveys, and usability tests to gather insights on user behaviors and needs.
• Data analysis: Ability to analyze user data and feedback to identify patterns, trends, and areas for improvement in the user experience.
• Wireframing and prototyping: Expertise in creating wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes to visualize and test design concepts.
• Usability testing: Skills in planning, executing, and analyzing usability tests to validate design changes and ensure they meet user needs.
• Information architecture: Knowledge of structuring and organizing information effectively to create intuitive and user-friendly navigation.
• Interaction design: Understanding of designing interactive elements and user interfaces that enhance the overall user experience.
• Collaboration: Excellent collaboration skills to work effectively with product managers, designers, developers, and other stakeholders.
• Communication: Strong communication skills to clearly articulate design concepts, research findings, and recommendations to various audiences.
• Problem-solving: Creative problem-solving abilities to address complex design challenges and find user-centered solutions.
• Attention to detail: High level of attention to detail to ensure design accuracy, consistency, and quality in all deliverables.

Best certifications for UX consultants

Earning a certification in UX design can validate your skills and enhance your credibility as a UX consultant. Here are some of the best certifications available:

• NN/g UX Certification by Nielsen Norman Group – A highly respected certification program offering comprehensive courses in various UX disciplines, including usability, interaction design, and UX management.
• Certified Usability Analyst (CUA) by HFI – This certification from Human Factors International covers usability principles, user-centered analysis, and interface design, providing a solid foundation in UX practices.
• UX Design Certification by Interaction Design Foundation – An online certification program that covers essential UX design principles, user research, and design thinking, recognized globally for its comprehensive curriculum.
• Google UX Design Professional Certificate – Offered through Coursera, this certification provides hands-on experience in UX design, covering user research, wireframing, and prototyping, ideal for beginners and professionals alike.
• Professional Diploma in UX Design by UX Design Institute – An accredited program that offers a deep dive into UX design principles, user research methods, and practical design skills, culminating in a professional diploma.

Best resources for UX consultants

To excel as a UX consultant, it’s essential to stay updated with the latest trends, techniques, and best practices. Here are some valuable resources, including books, webinars, podcasts, and blogs, that can help you enhance your skills and knowledge.

Best books for UX consultants

These books provide foundational knowledge and advanced insights into user experience design and strategy.

• Don’t Make Me Think by Steve Krug – A practical guide to web usability and user-centered design, providing clear, actionable insights.
• The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman – A classic book on human-centered design, exploring the principles of creating functional and user-friendly products.
• About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design by Alan Cooper – Comprehensive guide on interaction design principles and techniques for creating engaging user interfaces.
• Lean UX by Jeff Gothelf and Josh Seiden – Integrates UX with Agile methodologies, offering practical advice on collaborative and iterative design processes.
• Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal – Insights into the psychology behind user engagement and how to create products that encourage repeat use.

Best webinars for UX consultants

Webinars are an excellent way to stay current with the latest UX practices and industry trends.

• Userpilot Webinars – Regular webinars on user onboarding, product adoption, and UX design – providing actionable insights and strategies.
• NN/g Webinars – Nielsen Norman Group offers webinars on various UX and interaction design topics with research-based insights.
• UXPA Webinars – Webinars on UX best practices and emerging trends, helping designers stay current with the latest advancements.
• Interaction Design Foundation Webinars – In-depth knowledge of a wide range of interaction design topics presented by experts.
• Adobe XD Webinars – Webinars on designing with Adobe XD and other Adobe tools, showcasing practical techniques and tips.

Best blogs for UX consultants

Blogs are a valuable resource for staying updated with the latest trends, tools, and best practices in UX design.

• Userpilot Blog – Articles on user onboarding, product adoption, and UX design, providing practical advice and insights to help designers create more engaging user experiences.
• Nielsen Norman Group Blog – Research-based articles on UX and interaction design, offering valuable insights and best practices from one of the leading authorities in the field.
• Smashing Magazine – Comprehensive resource on web design and development, including UX topics, practical tutorials, and industry trends, making it an essential reading for designers.
• UX Design.cc – Curated content on UX design, research, and strategy, this blog offers a wide range of articles that cover the latest trends, tools, and best practices in the UX field.
• A List Apart – Focused on web design, development, and user experience, A List Apart publishes in-depth articles that explore the intricacies of designing for the web, offering practical advice and innovative ideas.

Best podcasts for UX consultants

Podcasts offer insights and discussions from leading experts and practitioners in the UX field.

• Userpilot Product Heroes – Discussions on product adoption strategies and UX design with industry experts.
• The UX Podcast – Covers a wide range of UX and interaction design topics with insights from leading designers and thought leaders.
• Design Matters – Conversations with designers about their craft, career paths, and personal stories, providing inspiration and practical advice.
• UI Breakfast Podcast – Interviews with industry experts on UI/UX design and product strategy, offering actionable insights and tips.
• The NN/g UX Podcast – Insights and interviews on user experience and design, produced by Nielsen Norman Group.

Best tools for UX consultants

To excel as a UX consultant, leveraging the right tools is crucial for efficient project management, effective design, and insightful data analysis. Here are 10 top tools that every UX consultant should consider:

• Best tool for user onboarding and feedback – Userpilot: Userpilot helps design and optimize user onboarding experiences and collects in-app user feedback to improve product engagement.
• Best tool for project management – Monday: Monday offers a highly visual and customizable platform for managing projects, tracking progress, and collaborating with team members efficiently.
• Best tool for agile workflows – Jira: Jira is a powerful tool for tracking tasks, managing agile workflows, and ensuring seamless collaboration among design and development teams.
• Best tool for documentation and knowledge sharing – Confluence: Confluence provides a centralized space for creating, organizing, and sharing project documentation, design guidelines, and collaborative notes.
• Best tool for customer support – Zendesk: Zendesk is a comprehensive customer service tool that enables UX consultants to understand user issues, gather feedback, and improve the user experience based on support data.
• Best tool for customer success management – ChurnZero: ChurnZero helps monitor customer health, engagement, and satisfaction, providing valuable insights for designing better user experiences.
• Best tool for UI/UX design – Figma: Figma offers real-time collaboration, vector editing, and prototyping capabilities, making it a versatile tool for creating and refining interactive designs.
• Best tool for vector graphics and interface design – Sketch: Sketch is a widely-used design tool known for its powerful vector graphics editing and prototyping features, ideal for creating detailed UI designs.
• Best tool for prototyping and animations – InVision Studio: InVision Studio provides robust prototyping and animation tools, allowing designers to create high-fidelity interactive prototypes and user interfaces.
• Best tool for data visualization and analytics – Tableau: Tableau is a leading data analytics tool that enables designers to visualize user data, derive insights, and make data-driven design decisions.

UX/UI Design and Research Teams Can Use Userpilot to:

• Recruit Users for Usability Tests with Usage Analytics and Segmentation
• Collect User Feedback with In-App Surveys
• Understand Product Usage with Product Analytics

Get a Demo

• 14 Day Trial
• No Credit Card Required

UX consultant FAQs

Here are concise answers to some common questions about UX consultants:

• What is the role of a UX consultant? A UX consultant improves the usability and overall user experience of digital products by conducting user research and usability tests and providing design recommendations.
• What is the UX consultant process? The UX consultant process involves user research, data analysis, prototyping, usability testing, and iterating design solutions based on feedback.
• What is the salary of a UI/UX consultant? The estimated total pay for a UX consultant is $176,320 per year in the United States, with base pay averaging $123,110 and additional pay around $53,210 annually.
• What is a UX job description? A UX job description typically includes responsibilities like conducting user research, creating wireframes and prototypes, testing usability, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user experience.

Conclusion

Becoming a successful UX consultant requires dedication, continuous learning, and a proactive approach to developing relevant skills.

By following the outlined steps and leveraging the resources available, you can effectively navigate your career path and achieve your professional goals.

We hope this guide has provided you with valuable insights and practical advice to help you on your journey to becoming a proficient and impactful UX consultant!

Looking into tools for UX consultants? Userpilot is an all-in-one product platform with engagement features and powerful analytics capabilities. Book a demo to see it in action!