5 Reasons Architects make great UX Designers

A little encouragement that you can do it too

After making the switch from Architecture to Tech, I realized many of my previous career skills were the basis for a solid foundation in UX. This article is intended to help those of you who may be mulling over making a career switch into tech but are still making excuses for why you can’t. After hearing about all your friends getting those tech perks, that tech $$$, and the freedom to live their lives, I’m sure you want the same for yourself (who wouldn’t?). I’ll go into some reasons why you not only have exactly what it takes to make it in UX, but why you’re going to thrive in this career (and your life). I’m over the moon about my career transition, and I hope I can help you realize your potential too.

You‘re Tech Savvy Enough

The Adobe Suite, 3D modeling software, AutoCAD, Revit, Trello, whatever you use — all the technical skills you learned in Architecture school and in your full-time jobs will be great foundations for your new UX tools. As Designers, we use some incredibly straightforward software to build wireframes and high-fi mockups for digital products. These programs are often really similar to interfaces we use every day in Architecture to create renderings and floorplans.

Much of the software you’ll end up using is also more soft-skill related. I’m talking about project management software like Jira, writing tools like Google Docs, and presentation software like Keynote/Powerpoint. If learning new software is scaring you out of making the switch, don’t worry—you’re probably more prepared than most.

The Design Process and Iterative Design

Architecture has been around forever, whereas UX is still a new field. We have an entire history of knowledge in the Architectural design process that we can reference when thinking about designing screens. Site analysis, research, sketch models, orthographic drawings, design critique, and drawing at scale are just a few talents you have that will translate incredibly well into UX. You’re still a designer, you’re just doing it on a different medium.

Starting by analyzing the site is similar to how UX designers run discoveries and learn from users. Making sketch models is the same as creating wireframes that give you a basic understanding of how users will engage with your design. Orthographic drawings of sections and plans are similar to how UX designers think about how a design will work on mobile as well as desktop. I continue to find so many parallels between the two careers that it almost doesn’t feel like I switched.

You’re a Natural Communicator

Articulating designs when presenting your work is a hugely transferable skill. I find it’s easier for Architects to transition to any career solely from the fact that we’re trained in the art of communication. In tech, you’ll be talking with tons of people in and out of your team, and you’ll also be presenting your work often.

During interviews, you’ll be asked to speak about your work and yourself. Architects do this on a weekly basis for our projects — that presentation practice is really going to help you communicate to your next potential employer. I find a lot of people I meet in tech lacking this skill, so you’ve got the upper hand if you’ve kept up this skill.

Work Ethic

Long nights in the studio, meticulous model making, rendering down to the T, putting all the right figures in your sections—I’ve never met anyone who works harder than the people I met in Architectural studio. If you were a part of that grind then you know what I’m talking about. Now, I’m not saying that an all-nighter mentality is a good one (and you’ll probably want to reevaluate your approach if that’s your norm), but honestly taking that perspective into your career transition and even future jobs put you in an amazing position compared to a lot of the competition.

That grind is still somewhat a part of how I work today, and I find that it’s often pleasantly surprising to my fellow tech-ers, but it’s not expected. Raw, hard work is less common than I thought in tech, and you’ll be sure to stand out if you can bring that A-game to your new career.

Working with Clients and Teams

Tech is all about teams and collaboration. Whether you’re working as a consultant like I currently am, or in a typical product company, you’ll have clients or stakeholders to work with regularly, along with a team of engineers and Strategists/PMs.

Being a part of an architectural design team, presenting your designs in community meetings and to your client, and working with your developers’ or engineers’ constraints are all super valuable skills to bring to tech. Nothing gets done by yourself here; we work as a team to deliver products.

I find it’s often the case that UX designers have a hard time taking critique from others, but our background in the crit room really gives us a great perspective on getting feedback. If you can keep your ego at the door and be open to feedback on your screens, you’ll learn to be a better designer much quicker than those who can’t.

Next Steps

Okay, so you know why you'd make it in the field, but how do you get there? A lot of articles and other sources will tell you that you need to go to a UX Bootcamp that’ll cost thousands of dollars. Sure, you can do that if you’re loaded and have money pouring out of your pockets.

If you’re like me and a lot of other people though, you might consider reaching out to product companies that you find interesting and volunteering or working for free (my personal opinion.) I know, you have a huge ego and you can hardly imagine working for free at your age, but you might have to suck it up if this is what you want. Looking into various internships is also a great way to get your foot in the door.

Volunteering and internships are a great way to build real experience on your portfolio, and you may even get hired full-time shortly after doing so and proving your value. It can be hard for tech companies to see your value at a scan if you don’t have an HCI (Human Computer Interaction) degree on your resume or something similar, but internships and volunteering are like long-term interviews. You’re giving companies a chance to see what you can really do. I ended up volunteering in addition to getting an internship and it worked for me.

My journey was a scary 8 months, but it was hugely worth it in the end. I know people who switched careers in less time, and some who took around a year to make the switch. I can honestly say though, all the Architects I know who did attempt to make the jump to UX made it, and I hope this article gives you the courage to take the leap if a career transition is calling you too!