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What Does A UX Designer Actually Do?
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UX / UI Designer
UX / UI designers are responsible for optimising the usability of digital products - specifically the user experience and user interface. They will work to ensure that websites, mobile apps and software interfaces not only look aesthetically pleasing, but also function efficiently and meet user needs.
Being a UX / UI designer blends creative, social and analytical skills to help companies create a great experience for their customers or clients. It is a diverse job, which can vary from doing web-design one day to running focus groups and analysing data the next.
Being a UX / UI designer blends creative, social and analytical skills to help companies create a great experience for their customers or clients. It is a diverse job, which can vary from doing web-design one day to running focus groups and analysing data the next.
Summary
UX and UI are often mentioned together, and as a UX / UI designer you’ll need to be aware of their definitions and differences - so that’s where we’ll start! There are plenty of great resources on this, but here is a brief overview:
UX (User Experience) refers to the functionality and accessibly of a product, as well as how enjoyable it is to user. It’s not just about usability but also how a user feels whilst interacting with a product. UX design aims to improve these things.
On the other hand, UI (User Interaction) specifically refers to how you interact with a product. UI is actually a specialised part of UX - it considers specific elements of a product. On a website for example, this might be the colours, fonts, page layout, text, sliders and interactive menus.
So in short, a UX / UI designer will spend their time working on these things. Generally, UX / UI designers will work on digital products (such as websites and mobile apps) - so this page is focused on UX / UI design of digital products.
It’s important to understand that this is more than just a career as a web designer. How something is designed has a huge effect on how it is used; the colours of buttons on a screen, or the time it takes for a page to load are decisions that could cost or make some companies hundreds of thousands of pounds.
So a good UX / UI designer must understand people - users - from a psychological perspective, and also analyse their behaviour, whether it is in interviews, surveys, focus groups, or from data analytics. They must then make decisions to ensure that their products meet the needs of people. Finally, they must implement creative solutions, leveraging design expertise to blend functionality and beauty together.
UX (User Experience) refers to the functionality and accessibly of a product, as well as how enjoyable it is to user. It’s not just about usability but also how a user feels whilst interacting with a product. UX design aims to improve these things.
On the other hand, UI (User Interaction) specifically refers to how you interact with a product. UI is actually a specialised part of UX - it considers specific elements of a product. On a website for example, this might be the colours, fonts, page layout, text, sliders and interactive menus.
So in short, a UX / UI designer will spend their time working on these things. Generally, UX / UI designers will work on digital products (such as websites and mobile apps) - so this page is focused on UX / UI design of digital products.
It’s important to understand that this is more than just a career as a web designer. How something is designed has a huge effect on how it is used; the colours of buttons on a screen, or the time it takes for a page to load are decisions that could cost or make some companies hundreds of thousands of pounds.
So a good UX / UI designer must understand people - users - from a psychological perspective, and also analyse their behaviour, whether it is in interviews, surveys, focus groups, or from data analytics. They must then make decisions to ensure that their products meet the needs of people. Finally, they must implement creative solutions, leveraging design expertise to blend functionality and beauty together.
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
Being a UX / UI designer doesn’t have strict education or qualification requirements.
If you are applying for a junior position, it will be important to have shown an interest and developed some skills, perhaps through a relevant university degree or college courses.
For any level position, a good portfolio showing previous work (specifically design work) can help, as can offering results from previous projects or workplaces.
Finally, there are many bootcamps available to improve your understanding which may boost your chances of finding employment.
If you are applying for a junior position, it will be important to have shown an interest and developed some skills, perhaps through a relevant university degree or college courses.
For any level position, a good portfolio showing previous work (specifically design work) can help, as can offering results from previous projects or workplaces.
Finally, there are many bootcamps available to improve your understanding which may boost your chances of finding employment.
Lifestyle
Choosing UX / UI design as a career is a good option for those who wish to work remotely or enjoy a good work-life balance. The mixture of creative and analytical skills required make for a rewarding career path.
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 pay as low as £25,000 but in general you can expect to make more once you have a year or so of experience. Senior UX / UI designers can make over £90,000, and experts in the field may pull in even more.
Experienced freelancers in the UK may charge £40 - £70 per hour for their services, with some experts able to charge £100 per hour or more.
Experienced freelancers in the UK may charge £40 - £70 per hour for their services, with some experts able to charge £100 per hour or more.
£25,000
Entry
£45,000
Average
£91,000
Senior
Career path
The path to becoming a UX / UI designer usually involves a background in design; some technical knowledge is required, as well as honed design skills.
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.