This article has been updated for 2024.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re an aspiring UX designer or already working in the field, you might be wondering how much you really need to know about programming languages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the role of a UX designer doesn\u2019t involve coding, it does require close collaboration with developers\u2014the true programming experts who can turn your designs into fully functional products and features.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As such, being familiar with different coding languages and how they work can prove incredibly valuable for UX designers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some basic coding knowledge can improve communication and collaboration with the development team, and it can also help you to design with technical possibilities and constraints in mind\u2014ensuring an all-round smoother product design process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But how much coding knowledge do you really need? And which programming languages should you focus on?<\/b><\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a look. <\/span><\/p>\n User experience (UX) design does not require coding. UX designers focus on the design of the product, while developers are responsible for its implementation\u2014that is, taking your design files and coding them into life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, because UX designers work closely with developers, understanding the basics of coding can help you in your role. And, of course, having additional specialist skills doesn\u2019t hurt when it comes to standing out in <\/span>the UX job market<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n There are several reasons you might choose to learn about programming, or even pick up some coding skills yourself:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n To reiterate: <\/span>UX designers do <\/b>not <\/i><\/b>need to be able to code, and you can absolutely excel as a UX designer (and get hired) without coding skills. But, if you are interested in adding some programming know-how to your skill set, you\u2019ll certainly find it useful in your day-to-day work. <\/b><\/p>\n [CERTIFICATE IN WORKING WITH DEVELOPERS]<\/p>\n Increase your Confidence when Working with Developers<\/span>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n There are a few different types of programming languages that you may want to be familiar with as a UX designer: front-end, back-end, and mobile. Mobile programming languages are used to create apps for devices like smartphones and tablets.<\/span><\/p>\n Some languages can be used for both the front-end and the back-end, too. The front-end and back-end are a bit more complicated, so let\u2019s explain those now.<\/span><\/p>\n The front-end is the part of an application or website that users directly interact with.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes, the front-end is also called the client side. The client side refers to anything that is displayed or run on the \u201cclient,\u201d a.k.a. the user\u2019s device. The front-end, or client side, includes everything the user sees\u2014images, text, videos, and the user interface\u2014as well as any actions that the user interface performs within the user\u2019s browser or native operating system.<\/span><\/p>\n The back-end is the part of a website or application that is run on the server. It\u2019s also often called the server side. The back-end includes the rendering of dynamic web pages, database interactions, identity authentication, and push notifications. Users never interact with the back end.<\/span><\/p>\n If you do decide to pick up some coding skills, you\u2019ll learn about the difference between front-end and back-end development<\/a> in more practical terms\u2014and it\u2019ll make much more sense within that context.<\/span><\/p>\n For now, let\u2019s move on to consider some of the most popular and widely-used programming languages.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve rounded up the seven most common programming languages used in the development of websites, apps, and software. As a UX designer, these are the languages worth learning about.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Used for:<\/b> Front-end development.<\/span><\/p>\n Along with CSS and JavaScript, HTML is one of the three fundamental building blocks of the web\u2014and, as a UX designer, you\u2019re bound to come across it in your work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. It\u2019s used to create the overall website structure and content, mapping out a bare-bones framework which is then styled using CSS (which we\u2019ll explore next).<\/span><\/p>\n HTML is, without doubt, the easiest language to learn, and you\u2019ll want to understand how HTML works before you dive into more complex languages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Used for:<\/b> Front-end development.<\/span> CSS, a.k.a. Cascading Style Sheets, is a standard markup language that\u2019s usually used in conjunction with HTML. CSS controls colours, font size, and other visual aspects of a website. Ultimately, CSS tells the browser how HTML should be displayed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Used for:<\/b> Front-end development.<\/span><\/p>\n JavaScript is primarily used to make web pages dynamic. It adds interactivity and functionality to otherwise static pages, essentially bringing your \u2018plain\u2019 HTML or CSS code to life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many front-end frameworks and libraries are built with JavaScript, including React, Angular, and Vue (to name a few). Frameworks and libraries are essentially pre-written blocks of code or ready-to-use components that developers can use as a template, rather than coding from scratch each time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Used for: <\/b>Front-end and back-end development.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Python<\/span><\/a> is an incredibly versatile programming language, used not only for web\/product development but also for data analysis and machine learning. Python is often used to power search engines, content management systems, predictive algorithms, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n Thanks to its relatively simple syntax, Python is popular with beginners. And, similar to JavaScript, there are Python libraries available for virtually every context\u2014be it content management systems, user interfaces, predictive algorithms, or something else entirely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Used for:<\/b> Back-end and mobile development.<\/span> No relation to JavaScript, <\/span>Java<\/span><\/a> is another multifaceted programming language. Java is what\u2019s known as an object-oriented language, and it\u2019s platform-independent\u2014which means that programs written on Java can be run on any operating system.<\/span><\/p>\n Java is used for developing web apps, mobile apps, desktop applications, games, and software, and it\u2019s also used in technologies like Hadoop and Apache Spark for data analysis and processing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Fun fact: Netflix, Google, Amazon, and NASA all use Java extensively to power their back-end systems and applications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Used for:<\/b> Back-end development.<\/span><\/p>\n PHP<\/span><\/a>, or Hypertext Preprocessor, creates dynamic content on web pages. If you ever work with a WordPress-based website, you\u2019ll come across PHP. Wikipedia and Facebook also run on PHP.<\/span><\/p>\n With its clean, simple syntax, PHP is relatively easy to learn compared to some other backend languages.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Used for:<\/b> OS X and iOS application development.<\/span><\/p>\n Objective-C is the primary language used for native software on Apple products. This includes OS X, their desktop operating system, and iOS, their mobile device operating system. <\/span>Swift<\/span><\/a> is a newer programming language that can also be used to create apps for iOS devices. It was created to make developing for iOS easier and more accessible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve explored just some of the most popular programming languages worth learning if you\u2019re working in product design and want to pick up some coding basics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So where to begin?<\/b><\/p>\n Getting to grips with programming can be tricky, so it\u2019s important that you start with the basics and work your way up in a logical order. A professional course provides the structure, learning materials, and expert guidance you need to navigate this complex discipline\u2014and, most importantly, to apply your newfound knowledge and skills in a way that\u2019s beneficial for your work as a UX designer.<\/span><\/p>\n The UX Design Institute\u2019s <\/span>Certificate in Working with Developers<\/span><\/a> is specifically designed for UX professionals who want to learn the basics of coding. Over the course of six weeks, it teaches the key concepts and processes involved in software development, with an emphasis on understanding how developers work and fostering effective collaboration between design and development teams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Karen, a <\/span>former graphic designer<\/span><\/a>, signed up for the course after she completed the Professional Diploma in UX Design and landed her first UX role. She was a few weeks into her role as a Product Designer when she realised that she needed to know more about the development side of things. In her own words:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI had been in my Product Designer role with Salud Dental for a couple of weeks and when I was collaborating with the software developers, I realised that I had very little knowledge about how they worked, the programmes they used and what they used them for. It was all new to me and I did my own online research to find out more.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n And then, as if by magic, the UX Design Institute got in touch with me because they were doing research for a new course on understanding software specifically for UX designers. I jumped at the chance to participate on the first course and it was exactly what I needed.\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Karen feels that, by understanding the fundamentals of coding, she has enhanced not only her design skills, but her confidence, too:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cMy confidence has completely improved. The software course knowledge means that when I\u2019m designing new features and products, I\u2019m confident when having technical conversations with developers and also asking them to give me feedback.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n As a result, I\u2019m confident that what I produce is not just surface level\u2014there\u2019s actually a lot of depth to what I\u2019m doing.\u201d<\/span><\/i>She believes that by understanding the fundamentals of coding, she has enhanced her design skills too:<\/p>\n “My confidence has completely improved. The software course knowledge means that when I\u2019m designing new features and products I\u2019m confident when having technical conversations with developers and also asking them to give me feedback.<\/em><\/p>\n As a result, I\u2019m confident that what I produce is not just surface level – there’s actually a lot of depth to what I’m doing.”<\/em><\/p>\n UX designers are increasingly incorporating <\/span>AI tools for UX<\/span><\/a> into their day-to-day work\u2014and you can even use AI to help you learn coding, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Consider using tools like ChatGPT or <\/span>Perplexity AI<\/span><\/a> to:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n As always, a word of caution when using AI. Tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity can be of great assistance, but they shouldn\u2019t replace expert learning content that\u2019s been curated by humans. Use AI as an aide alongside a professional course, YouTube tutorials, and, where possible, human mentorship\u2014not as your only resource.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Do UX designers need to know how to code?<\/b> No. <\/span>But are coding skills useful for UX designers?<\/b> Yes!<\/span><\/p>\n Employers won\u2019t expect you to be knowledgeable about programming, or to write code yourself in a UX design role.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But, as we\u2019ve explored in this post, it doesn\u2019t hurt to at least have an understanding of how popular programming languages work\u2014especially if you want to improve your collaboration with technical stakeholders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re ready to pick up some programming fundamentals, start by:<\/span><\/p>\nDo UX designers need to know how to code? (Does UX require coding?)<\/h2>\n
So what are the benefits of learning about code as a UX designer?<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n
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What types of programming languages should UX designers know?<\/h2>\n
What is the front-end?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What is the back-end?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7 programming languages worth knowing about in 2024<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1. HTML<\/strong><\/h3>\n
2. CSS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n3. JavaScript<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/span>JavaScript<\/span><\/a> is the most widely-used programming language in the world, not least because of its versatility. JavaScript can be used to build websites, mobile apps, games, and more\u2014and it\u2019s often touted as one of the most beginner-friendly languages to pick up.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n4. Python<\/strong><\/h3>\n
5. Java<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n6. PHP<\/strong><\/h3>\n
7. Objective-C or Swift\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How to learn coding fundamentals for UX design<\/h2>\n
Learn coding fundamentals with a professional course<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n
Leverage AI as an interactive tutor and coding companion<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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\n<\/span><\/li>\nThe takeaway and next steps\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
I want to learn some coding basics for UX design\u2014what should I do now?<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\n
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