User Interface (UI) design is a popular career choice for those who have an interest in working in the design industry. This article outlines how to get a job in UI design, information on the highest paying UI design jobs, relevant UI skills, frequently asked questions, and other information about the profession of a user interface designer.
What Is UI Design?
User interface (UI) design, also known as user interface engineering, is the art of designing user interfaces for machines and software such as mobile devices, computers, and home appliances. User interface design aims for the user experience and interaction to be as simple and efficient as possible.
Interface design involves many types of projects, ranging from computer systems and digital product design to planes and cars. Other facets of user interface design include industrial design, web design, software design, and user research.
UI Design Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a growth of 13 percent is projected in the employment of web developers and digital designers from 2020 to 2030. This is faster than the national average for all occupations.
An average of 17,900 openings are projected for web developers and digital designers each year within this decade. It is expected that many of these openings will be the result of replacing workers who will be leaving the workforce for various reasons.
What Education Do I Need to Become a UI Designer?
Many UI designers have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as graphic design. However, there is no specific degree requirement for this role. A background in user-centered design can help you get started, but anyone can learn this skill and start a career in UI design.
Do I Need a Degree to Be a UI Designer?
No. Getting a job as a UI designer is possible even without a degree. Anyone with an eye for design and a capacity to create engaging experiences for users can learn this skill and go on to have a fulfilling career in the field. However, it is important that you gain the practical skills and technical knowledge required for this career.
Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Get a Job in UI Design?
Attending a coding bootcamp can help you gain the required knowledge of user interface. You can manage your time with a flexible schedule. Bootcamps are usually affordable, especially in comparison with college degrees, and there are a good number of great user interface design bootcamps available.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Job in UI Design?
In as little as 10 weeks, you can learn the basic skills required of UI designers. Many aspiring designers attend bootcamps and take accelerated UI design courses. These courses can also provide you with specialized skill development, and you can build on other related career skills, such as the fundamentals of ideation, UI research, prototyping, and wireframing.
Following your basic training, it may take a considerably longer time to become an expert in UI design. You can begin practicing immediately after your course and develop more advanced practical skills in interaction design.
Common UI Design Education Paths
There are many different options available for learning about UI design. You can sign up for bootcamps, attend community colleges or universities, or take online courses. Each of these options will offer a particular set of benefits for your career in UI design.
UI Design Bootcamps
Attending a design bootcamp will give you an opportunity to learn specialist skills in a short period. You will also have the advantage of working on a flexible schedule. A disadvantage of attending bootcamps, however, is that not all employers and clients acknowledge the credibility of bootcamps – at least not to the same extent as college degrees.
Community College
At community college, you can obtain a certificate or associate degree. A community college degree can be a great option if you want some form of formal education but are looking for a more affordable option than a four-year college program. Community colleges offer transfer credits, specialized training, and sufficient education to get jobs in the field.
Bachelor’s Degrees
Attending a university can help you obtain a bachelor’s degree. This can propel your UI design career and open up greater job opportunities. While the learning is concentrated and often more advanced, the disadvantage of pursuing a university program is that it takes a longer time than other kinds of training.
Key UI Design Skills to List on Your Resume
Your resume is an important tool for your quest to find a job. UI designers must have certain skills on their resumes to boost their chances of getting a job. The skills below are vital for a career in UI design.
Creativity and Design Skills
A flair for creativity is essential in creating striking visuals in UI design. You must be proficient in design elements like color gradients, textures, and font styles.
Technical Skills
Strong technical skills are important to understand computer software and design platforms, as well as to integrate UI strategies into apps and sites. Develop your technical skills so you can learn and apply new programs efficiently.
Communication Skills
Great communication is an essential skill in the UI design field. You will have to collaborate creatively with design teams, so it is important that you listen actively and communicate clearly.
Where to Find UI Design Jobs
After learning and practicing UI design skills, the next step is to get a job in the industry. There are a few different options available for browsing job openings. Here, we outline a few platforms that will help you in your job search.
Job Boards
Job boards provide you with relevant job openings in your field. Employees will update their company openings on job boards and can search for prospective candidates on these platforms. Glassdoor, Indeed, and VagaJobs are all popular among many employers.
Company Websites
Many companies have a career section on their site where they provide updates on job openings and opportunities. You can monitor the websites of companies you are interested in working with to get direct updates as soon as new jobs become available.
Job Forums
Joining an online job forum can help you to network, connect with employers, and get job alerts from fellow job seekers. One of the main advantages of job forums is that they allow you access to private employment opportunities through networking with other professionals.
How to Prepare for Your UI Design Interview
Landing an interview means you’re a step closer to getting your dream job. To increase your chances of landing a position, you must prepare for your interview by doing research on the job, company, and industry. We have listed a few common interview questions for UI design roles to help you prepare for the interview process.
UI Design Interview Questions
- Why are you interested in UI design?
- Can you describe a significant project you were apart of?
- Can you describe an app that meets your ideal UI design, and why?
- How do you stay updated on UI design trends?
The Five Highest-Paying UI Design Jobs
| UI Design Jobs | Average Salary | Projected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| UI Design | $77,200 | 13% |
| Product Design | $71,640 | 6% |
| Visual Design | $53,380 | 3% |
| UX Research | $126,830 | 22% |
| UX Design | $77,200 | 13%* |
*All salaries have been sourced from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
UI Design
- Salary: $77,200
UI designers create the overall aesthetic of a product they’re working on. They need to consider whether features are easily accessible to users. Duties include curating user experience, ensuring that the font is easy to read, and picking site colors for appropriate branding.
Product Design
- Salary: $71,640
A product designer works on all the stages of the product creation process, from the design of components to the creation of site maps. Product designers work together with UI/UX designers and other teams to bring designs to life.
Visual Design
- Salary: $53,380
A visual designer is responsible for aesthetic elements and makes designs for a wide range of platforms, including games, movies, Internet and intranet sites, and wearables. They conceptualize the artwork and layouts for digital projects after discussions with clients and stakeholders and create initial concepts for projects.
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UX Research
- Salary: $126,830
A user experience (UX) researcher focuses on understanding the way customers use a product or service. They use different research methods like interviews and surveys to identify product problems and then report their findings to UI or UX designers.
UX Design
- Salary: $77,200
User experience design has to do with planning and curating the way that users get to experience a platform. UX designers need to consider potential challenges users might encounter when using a product. They use visual design, programming, and usability tests to build a product that is simple to use and navigate.
UI Design Career Path
As you gain more experience in the field, your career in UI design will grow and advance. You can go from a UI designer to UI manager, and eventually work as a UI director. Below are career options in entry, mid, and senior-level UI design.
Entry-Level UI Design Jobs
- UI Design – According to PayScale, the average salary for entry-level UI designers is $54,150.
- Product Design – The median salary for entry-level roles in product design is $83,850, according to PayScale.
- Visual Design – The average entry-level visual designer salary is $54,364.
Mid-Level UI Design Jobs
- UI Design – For mid-level UI designers, the average salary is $69,256, according to PayScale.
- Product Design – Mid-level product designers earn an average salary of $96,859, according to PayScale.
- Visual Design – PayScale puts the average salary of mid-career visual designers at $72,979.
Senior-Level UI Design Jobs
- UI Design – At the senior level, the average salary for UI designers is as high as $86,500, according to PayScale.
- Product Design – Product designers at the senior-level stage of their career earn $83,223.
- Visual Design – The median salary for Visual designers at the senior-level stage of their careers is $76,151.
UI Design Certificate Programs
There is no gold standard for obtaining a certification in UI design. We have listed a few of the top certificate programs with good credibility.
Designlab UI Design Short Course
This four-week course is designed for mid-level UI designers who want to sharpen their skills. This is an online course and is a great option if you want to master the fundamentals of visual design in a relatively short period.
General Assembly Online Visual Course
This program is designed for beginners, although many students who take this course have some experience with tools such as Sketch, Figma, and Photoshop. The course runs through the fundamentals of UI design. It runs for eight weeks and is perfect if you’re looking to start your UI design project without a long study period.
FIT NYC User Interface Design Certificate Program
This program runs for eight weeks and offers the much-needed experience to work as a UI designer. It is tailored to specialized professionals like graphic designers who are looking to make a switch into app and web design. You must be proficient in design software, like Adobe Creative Suite, to be able to enroll for this course.
Tips on How to Get a Job in UI Design
Getting a job as a user interface designer can be a smooth process if you are well-prepared. Here are some things you should do as you are looking to get a job in the field.
Understand The Principles of UI
Before you begin to design anything, you must understand the underlying principles of design and composition, such as alignment, balance, contrast, repetition, and proximity. Being knowledgeable of UI design skills and their applications will enable you to use them properly in your design process.
Learn the Tools
Software knowledge is crucial for a successful UI design career. Programs and applications are quickly becoming an essential component in the UI design process. Design tools can help to make the whole design process smoother, from the first touch to the final prototype. Get familiar with tools such as vector graphics software, virtual workspaces software, and prototyping software.
Get Involved With Projects
Make sure to apply your skills and knowledge in work environments. Self-initiated projects are a great way to hone your craft and practice your skills. If you can, doing some pro bono work is a good idea as it helps to meet l clients. The projects that you work on can come in handy when you’re building a portfolio and show future employers that you can take initiative.
Build a Portfolio
An online portfolio sells you to potential employers or clients. It is an opportunity to showcase your best work. Ensure that your portfolio is well rounded and displays a variety of skills through the different projects that you have worked on.
Apply For Jobs
As soon as you feel ready, you can start searching for jobs. Bear in mind that it may take some time to find what you’re looking for. The interviews you attend will help you get a feel for the types of questions you should expect and will give you insight into what a future employer may be looking for in your portfolio.
Should You Get a Job in UI Design in 2022?
Yes, getting a UI job is a good idea. If you have an eye for design and like to work with tech teams you should consider this career. There are many affordable training opportunities, the salary is competitive, and the job outlook is very promising. You are also likely to have a flexible schedule and have a lot of free time for yourself in this role, especially if you work as a consultant or freelancer.
UI Design FAQ
Yes, you can. This profession doesn’t require any form of formal education. Anyone can learn the skills, put them into use, and go on to have a successful career.
No. You can easily get into UI design if you develop the required skills. There are a number of certificate programs and bootcamps you can enroll in to get the knowledge you need to kickstart a career in UI design.
Yes, UI design is a great career that offers many opportunities and a competitive salary. UI designers enjoy a wonderful variety of working conditions. This is especially true for those who work remotely, abroad, or as a freelancer.
Learning UI is not hard, but you must be dedicated and passionate about it. It is important to commit to lifelong learning to keep up with developments in the field.
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