UI/UX Designer is a cool new title for an in-demand Web design role.
Design Career Guide
UI/UX Designer
For better or worse, the terms UI and UX are increasingly converging in one new Web marketing role: UI/UX Designer. Many traditional technology managers insist the roles should be separate, with UI Designers designing and programming interfaces to accomplish specific tasks, and UX Designers focusing on evaluating and improving a user experience.
Employers are throwing away the pocket protectors and looking for Web designer/developers who can design and program with the user’s emotions in mind. The result is the UI/UX Designer, able to design intelligible Web or screen interfaces, ensure they work, and make them an exciting, and memorable part of the customer experience.
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UI/UX Designers: Turning the user interface into an experience
Q: WHAT DOES A UI/UX DESIGNER DO?
UI/UX Designers generally design Web-based interfaces such as sites, applications, and games. In order to do this effectively, they must consider all aspects of the user experience. Who are the site’s target customers, and what is the goal of the interface? What is the “user workflow” expected for the interface? How can text and images be used to communicate clearly and create a specific experience? How can audio and animation be used to support to message and enhance the experience?
At a nuts and bolts level, a UI/UX Designer may be designing interface elements like buttons and dropdown lists, or navigation components like search fields and tags, or informational items like user response messages and progress bars. At a more abstract level, he or she may in charge of evaluating: “What was the user experience like? Was the system easy to navigate? What percentage of users returned to use the system again?”
UI/UX Designers should have strong coding skills and be well-versed in current Web standards, including best practices for usability and accessibility. Both areas require a good eye for design and close attention to detail. UI/UX designers should be comfortable working across the Adobe Creative suite: from Photoshop and InDesign to Flash and Dreamweaver. One recent job ad for a UI/UX Designer says it all: “To succeed, you must understand how to make something beautiful and insanely functional.”
Q: WHERE TO FIND UI/UX DESIGNER JOBS?
UI/UX Designer jobs can be found at both major career search sites and the niche sites listed on our Jobs Search page. Also, did you know? There is a job board specifically for UI/UX Designers, at justuxjobs.com.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME UI/UX DESIGNER SALARY EXPECTATIONS?
UI/UX DESIGNER SALARY – According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2023 median salary for Web and Digital Interface Designers was $98,540 per year.
Most UI/UX Designer positions currently listed are for agencies with major clients or for a medium-to-large sized company with a significant Web presence. UI/UX designers tend to work in full-time, salaried positions for Web or software companies, or large companies that can accommodate teams of in-house designers.
Overall employment for Web Developers is predicted to grow by 8% from 2023 to 2033. Mobile devices and Ecommerce have become a major factor in this growth.
Q: HOW TO BECOME A UI/UX DESIGNER?
Most UI/UX Designer jobs require at least 1-5 years of work experience in UI/UX design for the Web. A general Web design position working for a range of clients would be a good training for the role. Fundamental design skills and Web coding skills (as well as some programming) are a must, so anyone considering this kind of position must develop “outside of the box” skills. Being a skilled programmer alone is not sufficient, though a degree in computer science, software development, or Web design may be useful for landing a job.
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Sample Job Description
Do you have what it takes? Here is a typical job description for a UI/UX Designer:
Brass Tacks, Atlanta
Job Description: Brass Tacks is an interactive agency in Atlanta, Georgia. All we do is create websites and web applications for top clients. We are looking for a talented UI/UX designer to join our team. You will turn interfaces into rich user experiences, working with our team as you model user behavior, create wireframes, and design interface concepts and graphic layouts.
Learn more
- Experience in designing and iterating on web apps
- Quantitative and user behavior analysis skills
- Excellent written and verbal communicator
- Outstanding Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign skills
- Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, Javascript, and Bootstrap or equivalent framework
- Passion for creating experiences in online environments
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
UI/UX TRAINING: For basic training for UI/UX position, check out our Graphic Design Certificate programs.
RELATED JOBS: Web Designer, Interface Designer, Interactive Designer, Web Developer, User Experience Designer