Changing Career Path - Psychology to Design

What does design and psychology have in common? Quite a lot as Rajvi Rangrej realised when she found herself drawn to a career in UX Design. 

“UX design brings out my creativity but also utilises my psychological skills. It helps me use my creativity to make things simpler for users through communication but also - by understanding how individuals live their lives –  psychology helps me design good experiences that solve user problems.”

When someone suggested that Rajvi Rangrej look at UX Design as a potential career, she was surprised but curious. A criminology and psychology student, Rajvi received a lot of positive feedback when she posted a logo she created for the Indian Student Association club on LinkedIn.

psychology and criminology background

Design and art had always been a hobby for Rajvi – however she chose to study criminology and psychology with the aim of a job in Immigration or Customs. She never considered making a career out of her art and design interests.

“When I was looking at tertiary education, I got interested in psychology and criminology because I wanted to learn how people think, and to be honest, I also wanted to find a job with security. I didn’t think about design at all.”

However she was intrigued with the positive interest in her logo (right) and joined some LinkedIn forums where people discussed design. This then led to meeting up with designers for coffee; a major move for shy Rajvi. While exciting and stimulating, she was still surprised when the idea of a career in User Experience (UX) design was suggested by someone, even though she could see the connection with her psychology study.

“I was a bit sceptical at first to be honest, but I did a lot of research using LinkedIn and saw how much potential there was in UX and realised it would be a great career option for me because I would combine my psychology study with my creative skills. The more I thought about it, the more the idea fitted for me.”

first steps to design

Rajvi decided to investigate further. She contacted people through LinkedIn and asked about the tools and software packages used in their workplace and met up with people happy to share their insights into the design industry and what was needed to start a career in UX.

She also researched UX designers on LinkedIn. All these endeavours gave her optimism that she could possibly do it. “People came into UX from many pathways which helped me see it really was possible so I decided to look for an internship, even though I had no formal training. I was very nervous about doing this, but I approached a few creators of websites I liked and asked them if they’d be open to giving me one.”

A couple of designers met up with Rajvi and she ended up with an internship at The Design House that then led onto part time work while she completed her psychology and criminology degree. “My colleagues were very supportive and provided help and feedback. This helped me enhance my skills a lot and confirmed it was the industry I wanted to be in.”

psychology in design

She says people are surprised at this change of career focus but it isn’t as different as it sounds, says Rajvi. A lot of people think psychology is all about counselling, but it is much broader than that and UX Design definitely draws on psychological skills and ways of thinking.

User experience refers to how someone feels and behaves when using a certain product, system or service. Due to this, it is important for the UX designer to understand the person to create a great user experience for them. UX designers apply their understanding of psychology to understand and satisfy their user or customer needs and requirements.”

Rajvi has now completed her criminology and psychology degree and continues to work part time at The Design House where she learned Adobe Suite programmes such as Illustrator, Photoshop, and Indesign. This year she has also started a Master of Design.

follow your curiosity

Rajvi encourages students to research and connect with people in areas they are curious about and find out people’s career paths into their roles. “Go with your feelings about what seems right because that will really sustain you as you find a way to follow that career path.”

Written by AUT career writer Angela McCarthy