User Experience (UX) Matters: What are the Most Desired Skills in the UX Designer and UX Researcher Job Ads

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Ruoxu Wang

University of Memphis (Correspondence: rwang4@memphis.edu)

Jin Yang

University of Memphis

Louis Asser

Citation: Wang, R., Yang, J., & Asser, L. (2021). User experience (UX) matters: What are the most desired skills in the UX designer and UX research job ads. Journal of Communication Technology, 4(2), 82-105. https://doi.org/10.51548/joctec-2021-011

Abstract: A content analysis study (N = 200) was conducted to examine the most desired skills required in UX designers and UX researchers job ads on the LinkedIn platform. Results showed the visual interface design skill is the most needed design skill for UX designers. For UX researchers, the research skills of usability lab studies, moderated remote usability studies, usability benchmarking, and interviews are most needed. Information Technology & Service and Computer & Network Security are industries that have the highest need in UX designers and UX researchers. The study suggests higher education institutes especially mass communications programs may need to consider adopting the UX concept and skills into its teaching agenda.

Keywords: UX designer, UX researcher, job ads, content analysis, skills