Why learning UI/UX design still matters in 2026

A new year has started, and for many of us, it might be the right time to think about learning some new skills. For example, one might learn programming, graphic design, content writing, or website making, which are useful. However, some might say these are no longer relevant in the age of AI.

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Photo: Freepik

Even taking into account the advances in AI, there is nothing wrong with learning these skills, but if we use our time to learn something new, it should be more interesting and impactful.

UI/UX design is one such skill. Some might have heard about it, but we seldom find any marketing machine behind it to encourage learning.

The basics of UI/UX design

Firstly, UI and UX are two different things, and they serve two different purposes. So, what is UI?

We all use bKash, Foodpanda, and Pathao, but we only think they work because of programming, and there is no doubt about that. But the buttons and the interior design we see when we open an app are done through UI (User Interface), and the easy step-by-step way we transact money, order food, or call a ride happens because of UX (User Experience).

When you try to learn something new, the timing depends on the learner, because with time, effort, and practice, one can easily grasp anything. The first step to learn this skill is wireframing.

When we sit to do some maths, we all need rough paper, so that solving the sum becomes easy. Likewise, wireframing is like rough paper, where you draw how the buttons will look, their names, and the features. Overall, you decide the look of an app and which things will be placed in the right way.

There are some tools which help you build projects like a professional. For example, Figma. On Figma, you will be able to make app designs and do your own projects. To use this tool, you might need some skills in Canva, Adobe Photoshop, or Illustrator. Pick one project, practise, and do this for a long time. Day by day, your skill will automatically improve.

Where to learn UI/UX

If you struggle to do it on your own, there are many free courses available on YouTube. There are whole playlists on UI/UX, and they also show real projects.

There will be eventual moments of doubt. When you try to learn something, you invest your time, money, and effort. So, after investing all these things, if you end up having no results, frustration begins. The question is: is it worth learning this skill in 2026?

Here’s what professionals say about UI/UX design:

Aar Raiedul Ahsan, a graphic designer at DocTime, thinks UI/UX is more interesting than ever right now. His advice to students is to learn from the basics, and he also encourages using AI to speed up the work.

Akhlak Hossain Jim, a front-end-focused full-stack developer, works as a product designer with over six years of professional experience. He started his journey with website making, but he was able to learn design fundamentals like layout, colour, and usability. His design philosophy involves, as with most great designers, a template that can save users’ time and reduce users’ frustration. He also believes the demand for UI/UX designers is high. His advice to learners is, “Do not chase tools first, learn how a user thinks, practise, and solve problems.”

Regret is not something they have displayed in our interview while discussing UI/UX. Learning UI/UX provided a new dimension for them to solve problems from a unique perspective.

Opportunities for UI/UX designers

UI/UX design adds a demandable skill to your profile. With one skill, you can find your place anywhere, including freelancing. We all know making a place in freelancing is difficult, but not impossible.

If we plan to start freelancing, UI/UX design can be a valuable skill for you. Many students are earning significantly more than graphic designers. The steps are simple: open any freelancing site, and you will see hirers looking for UI/UX designers.

At first, it will probably take time, and you may go slow, but as the quote says, “something is better than nothing.” It is not easy to make a place because freelancing has huge competition, but if your designs are good enough, you can make it.

The target was to get to know about UI/UX design. The world is still not too “AI-dependent” to diminish the value of learning this skill. Remember, all you have to do is practise. A good designer is not someone who just depends on inherent talent; a good designer is someone who has the guts to speak through their designs.