How to grow as a UX/UI designer?

Question

User interface

In general, I have been designing for half a year, well, every day I spend 8 hours on it (I am a student, the rest of the time I study), I read books and articles, constant practice. I didn’t take any courses, I listened to free videos and webinars a little on Coursere (I liked them from Mail ru). In general, everything seems to be great for 8 hours every day, and even half a year, but I looked at the work of course graduates and, damn it, they look stronger than mine, and they studied for 3 months. In my self-study, for training, I simply copy other people's work and constantly do my own projects, but damn it, how to develop correctly so that the level of work would correspond at least to the level of course graduates (you should not equal them, but nevertheless), I love literature on UX and I read a lot of books and articles, but the output from this is not enough.

If there are self-taught designers, how have you developed or are developing? https://www.behance.net/sanek152530781

and for example the work of a 3-month course graduate https://www.behance.net/gallery/70784351/Promo-Sit...

Answer 1

Universal Tips:
Work will help a lot, especially if there are 8 hours a day.

Answer 2

There are a lot of "drains" of these same courses, just type in Google for example - "draining web designer courses from ..." and as a rule, on the first 5 links you can find distributions and download. There will be only one difference, you will not have a mentor and your work will not be checked, but all homework assignments, webinars and presentations will be at your disposal. For example, I read a lot of positive reviews about the WDI school, found their paid course on Google and am taking it now, it is designed for 2 months. Here is a link to the course, if necessary - https://cloud.mail.ru/public/Mn76/X3GtJTXUb

Answer 3

My friend, graduates paid money for that, so that in 3 months they could learn how to do things that would have taken them 1.5 years without mentoring and feedback. If you have chosen the path of self-learning, then be patient.
> I love literature on UX and read a lot of books and articles, but the output from this is not enough
Literature is not enough, there should be more practice. 65% practice and 35% theory.
And yet, beginners often make a stupid mistake comparing their work with the work of some graduates or cool designers.. I would advise you to compare yourself "a day, a week, a month ago" with yourself "today". And if you really try, and do not kick hovno, then you will see progress, and this, instead of envy and feeling your own worthlessness, will bring satisfaction to your heart. Everyone has their own learning rate. Just keep going, the results will come. Work with customers on rogue freelance exchanges, so gradually you will go through all the pain that every designer has to go through.

Answer 4

Hey! At first glance, the graduates, unlike your works, have a well-thought-out composition.
It can be seen that the basics of the layout logic of text + pictures, rhythms, etc. they studied. Literature on UX is good, but I advise you to go back in time and look at the classic Soviet literature on the layout of books and magazines.