Looking for a career role that encompasses both creative design functions and technical programming skills? UI (user interface) design has a focus on a user’s visual experience on a website or application and evaluates how those users interact with each area of these digital platforms. These professionals focus on the technical aspects of building a functional page but do so with the user’s visual experience in mind.
The field of UI design is lucrative and continues to grow in response to our evolving digital world. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates the job outlook for UI designers to grow by 13% through 2030, which is considerably faster than the average for all occupations. Want to learn more about starting a career as a UI designer? This article will cover the educational requirements needed to work in this type of role and the skills one should obtain to succeed as a creative designer.
What Does a UI Designer do?
To fully understand what a UI designer does on a daily basis, it’s important to learn what UI design is and how it differs from other creative professionals. User Interface (UI) Designers create the “look” of a website, advertisement, or app to ensure it meets the client’s creative vision and is easy for consumers to engage with.
UI designers often work directly with UX professionals to ensure design plans are functional and visually engaging. It’s helpful for some to think of UI as a combination of visual design and interaction design, meaning it focuses on the look, feel, aesthetics, and visual elements of a product. Some of the most common daily tasks a UI designer may complete on the job include:
- Creating style guides
- Designing page layouts for websites and applications
- Effectively communicate design ideas to clients or team members
- Research and document human-computer interaction (HCI)
- Complete testing of completed applications, websites, and software
What Type of Training Does a UI Designer Need?
There is no set educational path required to start working as a UI designer. However, formal training can help with learning industry-standard software and the fundamental skills needed to excel in this type of creative role. Some individuals choose to obtain a four-year degree in Computer Science, Web Development, or Graphic Design, but this is not the only way to get started in this lucrative field.
There are UI design certificate classes available that prepare students for a career in UI or UX design through hands-on projects. These courses provide an excellent opportunity to build a portfolio of experience, which is extremely helpful when applying for entry-level roles. There are advantages to choosing this type of educational path over traditional degree options, including the ability to complete training in a short amount of time for often a fraction of the cost. It’s crucial that students research all of the educational options available to them so they can determine which path will help them achieve their professional goals.
Skills Needed for UI Design
There are a variety of soft skills and hard skills needed to excel as a UI designer. These skills integrate with one another to ensure you have mastered the fundamental skills required to complete daily functions in this type of role. Some prospective employers may have a larger concern with an applicant’s proven experience in their portfolio over formal training and soft skills. For example, an applicant with a strong portfolio and understanding of graphic design principles may stand out over someone with training that has little real-life experience in the industry.
Some of the most important skills needed to work in UI design include:
- Ability to effectively communicate
- Basic graphic design principles
- Wireframing and Prototyping
- Understanding of style guides
- Branding, typography and color theory
It’s also important to master industry-standard software like:
While a UI designer may not need to know or utilize all the different software in their career roles, many of these applications are used in different creative professions. Having a solid understanding of the industry software can help applicants to stand out from the crowd.
Average Salary of a UI Designer
The salary of a UI designer will vary depending on location, level of experience in the field, and any additional training or certifications. According to Indeed, the average base salary for a UI designer is $77,954. It is important to note that the salary noted above is for traditional full-time employment and does not include those who chose to freelance or work contract roles. There are pros and cons to each type of employment, which is why it’s crucial that individuals research each option to determine which aligns best with their professional goals. For example, employees that work full-time may be offered health insurance options and a set salary to help with the feeling of stability. Those who freelance will not have such options, but they have more control over their earnings, availability, and ability to reach goals.
Software and Continued Education
Similar to many other creative design professions, working as a UI designer requires individuals to stay up-to-date with their industry knowledge and software skills. With our growing digital world and demand for realistic content, it’s easy for those working in the field to become complacent in their practices or unaware of changes with common industry practices. One of the easiest ways for UI designers to remain current in the industry is to take some form of continuing education classes specific to the field.
One popular option for UI designers is to take a live online graphic design bootcamp from a provider like Noble Desktop. These classes teach all of the software skills needed to excel as a UI designer but can be taken from the comfort of your own home. This is a great option for those who have scheduling conflicts or cannot travel to a physical location to take classes. Bootcamp courses can also be taken by beginners and those looking to make a career change to the design industry. One main benefit of bootcamp courses for those looking to switch careers is the hands-on experience and ability to create a portfolio of work. If you are ready to sign up for classes to master your design skills, try searching for graphic design bootcamps in your area.