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What Does A UX Designer Actually Do?
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UX / UI Designer
Ever Tried Using an App That Just Didn’t Make Sense?
You tap a button, but nothing happens. The checkout process feels like an obstacle course. You just want to complete a simple task—but instead, you're frustrated, clicking aimlessly, and eventually giving up. That’s bad UX/UI design, and it’s the reason why so many digital products fail.
On the other hand, the best designs feel effortless. Apple’s iPhone interface is so intuitive that even a child can use it. Instagram’s simple, swipe-based navigation makes sharing moments second nature. Uber’s one-tap booking gets you where you need to go, fast.
None of this happens by accident—it’s the work of UX/UI designers who make sure digital products are not only beautiful but easy, efficient, and even enjoyable to use.
If you’re curious, creative, and love solving problems, UX/UI design is a career where your ideas can shape the way millions of people interact with technology every day.
Summary
UX and UI are often mentioned together, but they play distinct roles in digital product design.
- UX (User Experience) Design focuses on how a product feels—ensuring it’s functional, accessible, and enjoyable.
- UI (User Interface) Design is about how a product looks and interacts—buttons, layouts, colours, and typography.
Great UX/UI design isn’t just about making things look good—it’s about solving problems and making digital experiences seamless. Bad design leads to frustration, lost customers, and business failure. Studies show that nearly 70% of online shopping carts are abandoned, often due to poor UX.
To succeed in UX/UI, you’ll need to be more than just creative. This career requires:
- A problem-solving mindset – UX/UI designers constantly ask, "How can this be improved?"
- An understanding of user psychology – A product isn’t successful unless it meets real user needs.
- An eye for detail and visual design – Even small design choices, like button placement, can impact usability.
- Comfort with research and data – Decisions are based on user testing, analytics, and feedback.
- Strong collaboration skills – UX/UI designers work closely with developers, product managers, and marketing teams.
The best companies in the world prioritise UX/UI because they know great design is a competitive advantage:
- Apple’s sleek, intuitive iPhone interface changed the way we use technology.
- Instagram’s clean, simple design made social media effortless.
- Uber’s streamlined app experience redefined how we travel.
At the heart of these innovations? UX/UI designers—the people who shape how we interact with technology. If you enjoy understanding how people think, spotting flaws in design, and coming up with creative solutions, this could be the perfect career for you.
A Day in the Life
This video from Youtuber Stephanie M shows what it's like to be a UX / UI Designer.
Responsibilities
A UX / UI designer is responsible for understanding users, and using this understanding to make design decisions which will improve products, enhance usability and help companies meet their goals. Generally more specialised than a web designer, a UX / UI designer must research, analyse and understand users before designing solutions.
Research and Analysis A UX / UI Designer must have a deep understanding of user needs and behaviours so that they can make decisions. Research may include conducting surveys and interviews as well as researching competitors or industry trends. Analytical skills are required to translate data from this research into tangible actions to improve products.
Wire-framing & Prototyping A wire-frame or prototype is a framework which maps the main elements of a design with minimal detail, usually only representing elements such as buttons, images or text. UX / UI designers are often responsible for creating these ‘plans’ which will ensure future usability when the full design is created.
Visual Design After understanding user behaviour based on research, data and analysis, a UX / UI designer must create designs and make evidence-based design decisions. The idea of this design is not just to look good, but to improve how the interface functions for users.
Testing & Iteration Whilst data may be gathered via research such as surveys or focus groups, testing is also an important part of a UX / UI designer jobs. This can include A | B testing or MVT testing to compare different designs or design elements and make evidence-based decisions.
Key Skills & Traits
Being a UX / UI designer is not just about creative designs (although this is important!) - it also requires a strong ability to research, analyse, problem solve and collaborate.
Creativity
Once a UX / UI designer understands their users, they must come up with creative designs, ideas and solutions to meet their needs.
Analysis
Having collected data (maybe from user tests, research, interviews, etc), a UX / UI designer must analyse the results so that they can improve products.
Communication & Collaboration
It is likely that a UX / UI designer can be expected to liaise with key stakeholders (such as web designers, front-end developers, project managers and product managers). As well as this, they may interact with users themselves.
Wire-framing & Prototyping
Being able to plan the layout of websites, apps and software interfaces is important - this means understanding what UI elements are needed and how best to arrange them.
Problem-Solving
You can expect to be faced with problems such as how to increase customer conversion, how to reduce user friction and how to enhance specific designs.
User Testing
A | B Tests (where two versions of an interface with one crucial difference are tested against each other) and other tests are important for making informed decisions about design.
Design
Although a UX / UI designer specialises in improving the way users interact with and experience products, they must also be adept at design, possibly using tools such as Figma or Adobe Suite.
Education & Qualifications
Anyone can become a UX/UI Designer—no formal degree required! While some employers may look for qualifications in design, psychology, or tech-related fields, what really matters is your ability to create user-friendly interfaces, solve problems creatively, and deliver experiences that feel intuitive and engaging. Many successful UX/UI Designers started with nothing but curiosity, a laptop, and a drive to improve digital experiences.
Success in this field is built on your portfolio and problem-solving skills—not just your credentials. Whether you’re working freelance, agency-side, or in-house, a well-crafted portfolio showcasing your design thinking, wireframes, prototypes, and real-world impact will go much further than a degree alone.
Lifestyle
A career in UX/UI design offers a balance between independent work and collaboration, making it ideal for those who enjoy creative problem-solving and teamwork. Designers frequently collaborate with developers, product managers, and stakeholders, but much of their work—such as research, wireframing, and prototyping—can be done independently. The field also provides flexibility, with many opportunities for remote work and freelancing.
In terms of financial stability, salaries range from £25,000 for junior roles to £91,000 for senior positions, offering strong earning potential. Many UX/UI designers benefit from standard paid leave policies, and the prevalence of remote roles allows for a good work-life balance.
80%
Remote SuitedMany UX/UI designers enjoy flexible working arrangements, especially in tech-focused industries. In-person work may be required (i.e. running focus groups).
20%
StressfulThe role can be mentally demanding, with pressure to continually innovate and create. However, generally UX / UI design is not considered a stressful career.
80%
Work Life BlanceBeing a UX / UI designer usually offers good work-life balance, with manageable workload. This varies between companies, and freelancers may struggle more to maintain W/L balance.
Our collection of reviews from industry professionals has scored being a UX / UI designer as 4.2 out of 5.
55/hrs
WeeklyGenerally, employed UX / UI designers have a standard 9-5 schedule. Freelancers have more control over their hours but need to manage varying workloads and tight deadlines.
Salary Data
The average salary for a mid-level UX/UI designer in the UK is £40,000 per year. Entry-level roles may start as low as £25,000, but salaries tend to rise after gaining a year or more of experience. Senior UX/UI designers can earn over £90,000, with top experts in the field earning even more.
For those pursuing freelance or contract work, experienced UX/UI designers in the UK typically charge £40–£70 per hour, with highly skilled professionals commanding £100 per hour or more. Contractors may also earn a daily rate of around £475, translating to an annual income that can exceed traditional salaries, depending on workload and client demand.
The field offers strong earning potential, whether working full-time, freelance, or as a business owner, with income scaling based on experience, specialisation, and reputation.
£25,000
Entry
£45,000
Average
£91,000
Senior
Career Path
The path to becoming a UX/UI designer typically starts with a background in design, psychology, or technology. While a degree in Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field can be beneficial, many designers enter the profession through self-study, bootcamps, or career transitions. Successful UX/UI designers develop strong design skills, gain technical knowledge of prototyping and usability principles, and become proficient in tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch
Junior UX / UI Designer
A Junior UX/UI designer will create user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces under the guidance of senior designers.The role will have an emphasis on learning, collaborating on projects, and applying design principles to improve user experiences. Juniors often conduct user research, create wireframes, and refine designs based on feedback, developing technical and creative skills to grow in the field.
Senior UX / UI Designer
As a Senior UX / UI designer, you'll lead the design process, shaping user experiences and visual interfaces with a strategic approach. As well as overseeing projects and mentoring junior designers, you'll collaborate more closely with with stakeholders to align design solutions with business goals. More senior UX / UI designers need advanced skills in research, prototyping, and design systems to ensure high-quality outcomes.
These represent some possible career paths - but like the career itself, entry into UX / UI design is fluid, and those who are digitally minded may be able to teach themselves and build a portfolio to enter the field.
Good UX / UI designers at any level can transition sideways into other design roles, as well as product or project-based roles. Those who work closely with developers may also transition into more tech-based roles.
In companies with good progression, UX / UI designers may be promoted to lead a team of their own. Similarly, for talented designers it is very possible that you can find freelance work or even start an agency of your own.
Good UX / UI designers at any level can transition sideways into other design roles, as well as product or project-based roles. Those who work closely with developers may also transition into more tech-based roles.
In companies with good progression, UX / UI designers may be promoted to lead a team of their own. Similarly, for talented designers it is very possible that you can find freelance work or even start an agency of your own.
History of the Profession
UX / UI is a relatively new field. Arguably born out of product design in the 20th century, we owe much of the still-rising popularity of UX / UI to two things; the fierce competition of the Dot Com boom, and the innovation of Apple during the 2000’s. Of course, this is only a brief history and there were plenty more players and pioneers along the way!
Reviews
We think that hearing from other industry professionals is one of the best ways to find out whether a career as a UX / UI designer could be a great fit for you.
Junior UX UI Consultant
Oliver
A few years ago I decided to switch careers and get into UX / UI. I did a 3 month boot camp and did not go to school for design. I went straight into consulting which was tough but rewarding - if you have good interpersonal skills and are knowledgeable then you should be okay. I started in a more junior role and was still making decent money.
💰£35,000Annual
salary
salary
💼40Weekly hours
🏝️70%Remote suited
🤷♀️15%Stressful
⚖️70%Work life balance
UX / UI Designer
Amelia
I’m an Electronics and Communication major… I doodled between various jobs since past 4 years, finally landed a job as an UX Designer and I think I haven’t been this content with my job, like EVER!
💰£47,000Annual
salary
salary
💼40Weekly hours
🏝️90%Remote suited
🤷♀️25%Stressful
⚖️85%Work life balance
UX Designer
Desi
If you love design then being a UX / UI Designer is a great way to combine it with more analytical skills.
💰£50,000Annual
salary
salary
💼40Weekly hours
🏝️80%Remote suited
🤷♀️10%Stressful
⚖️80%Work life balance
Want to add a review? You can do so below.
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Resources
If you’re ready to learn more about being a UX / UI Designer, we’ve put together the following resources that may help. Time to prove your research skills!
Book
Don’t Make Me Think
Steve Krug literally wrote the book on intuitive navigation and information design. A web usability expert who has influenced and informed hundreds of designers, his book is a must-read for anyone considering a career in UX / UI.
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Book
The Elements of User Experience
A vital reference for web and interaction designers, The Elements of User Experience emphasises that UX is about more than clean code and smart graphics - it's about fulfilling strategic business objectives and meeting the needs of your users.
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Specialisms
UX UI designers can choose to specialise in certain areas of their field. Below we take a look at a few popular specialisms.