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What does an interface designer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Michelle Lockwood
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Interface designer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real interface designer resumes:

  • Lead design working sessions, create storyboards and a Visio wireframe library for all project elements.
  • Generate 3d architectural renders for client visualization during initial planning stages.
  • Balance user feedback with client's office website requirements to design website that place equal emphasis on accessibility and usability.
  • Develop and design e-sales/brochures, e-portfolios, and e-commerce catalog web sites for performing artists, media and entertainment entrepreneurs.

Interface designer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Interface Designers are proficient in Sketch, User Experience, and UI. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Artistic ability, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Interface Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Sketch, 12%

    Initiated and oversaw development from initial concept sketch to final production, working closely with Chinese engineering and manufacturing vendors.

  • User Experience, 9%

    Developed user-centered UB web standards in navigation, tools, layouts, and user experience working toward a university-wide protocol.

  • UI, 8%

    Collaborated with software developers and product managers to integrate groundbreaking new feature into defibrillator software while enhancing existing software UI.

  • Visual Design, 6%

    Lead planning, visual design, development and test deployment of custom web application focused on designing custom business cards.

  • Prototyping, 6%

    Created both low and mid-fidelity prototypes using various prototyping applications to deliver interaction and behavioral requirements to developers.

  • HTML, 5%

    Worked as a graphic designer / interface designer responsible fordesign/coding sites in Flash and HTML.

Common skills that an interface designer uses to do their job include "sketch," "user experience," and "ui." You can find details on the most important interface designer responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for an interface designer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what interface designers do because "graphic designers must be able to perceive their work from their consumers’ point of view to ensure that the designs convey the client’s message." Additionally, an interface designer resume shows how interface designers use analytical skills: "develop edi transaction maps using odbc to translate data into oracle tables. "

Artistic ability. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling interface designer duties is artistic ability. The role rewards competence in this skill because "graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers." According to an interface designer resume, here's how interface designers can utilize artistic ability in their job responsibilities: "key accomplishments * established and devised artistic themes for internet user interfaces such as icons, guides, and toolbars. "

Communication skills. interface designers are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to interface designer responsibilities, because "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." An interface designer resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "collaborated with visual designers to improve and refine visual communication, and with engineers to provide optimal technology solutions. "

Computer skills. For certain interface designer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "computer skills." The day-to-day duties of an interface designer rely on this skill, as "most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what interface designers do: "acted as resident cad expert and support for engineering and facilities with respect to computer aided design and drafting issues. "

Creativity. Another common skill required for interface designer responsibilities is "creativity." This skill comes up in the duties of interface designers all the time, as "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." An excerpt from a real interface designer resume shows how this skill is central to what an interface designer does: "played creative lead design roles on multiple deployment projects. "

Time-management skills. While "time-management skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to interface designer responsibilities. Much of what an interface designer does relies on this skill, seeing as "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of interface designers: "problem-solved and prioritized design projects to effectively meet deadlines. "

Most common interface designer skills

The three companies that hire the most interface designers are:

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Compare different interface designers

Interface designer vs. Design internship

As the name entails, graphic design interns learn about the career in graphic design in a hands-on setting. They have varied tasks and duties, including taking part in every meeting of the design team, conducting client research, assisting with social media and design projects, and working closely with experienced designers. They are often paid little or nothing at all for their service, but the experience that they acquire from their field can be dispensable.

The annual salary of design interns is $58,899 lower than the average salary of interface designers.Even though interface designers and design interns are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require sketch, user experience, and ui in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, interface designer responsibilities require skills like "visual design," "web site," "user interface design," and "style guides." Meanwhile a typical design internship has skills in areas such as "design intern," "graphic design," "human centered design," and "powerpoint." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Design interns earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $54,174. On the other hand, interface designers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $139,336.The education levels that design interns earn slightly differ from interface designers. In particular, design interns are 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an interface designer. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Interface designer vs. Graphic designer, marketing

A graphic designer of marketing specializes in developing creative imagery as part of a company's marketing efforts. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating with the marketing team to share insights and strategies, conceptualizing designs in adherence to objectives and deadlines, and preparing presentations. One may also subject designs into various revisions and edits as needed. Furthermore, as a graphic designer, it is also essential to keep abreast of the latest trends and have an understanding of the target audience.

Graphic designer, marketing positions earn lower pay than interface designer roles. They earn a $55,927 lower salary than interface designers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Interface designers and graphic designers, marketing both require similar skills like "sketch," "html," and "css" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real interface designer resumes. While interface designer responsibilities can utilize skills like "user experience," "ui," "visual design," and "prototyping," graphic designers, marketing use skills like "brochures," "blog posts," "graphic design," and "flyers."

Graphic designers, marketing earn a lower average salary than interface designers. But graphic designers, marketing earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $52,640. Additionally, interface designers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $139,336 annually.In general, graphic designers, marketing achieve lower levels of education than interface designers. They're 9.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for interface designers in the next 3-5 years?

Michelle LockwoodMichelle Lockwood LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, Graphic Design Art, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

A year ago, even six months ago, we would never have expected our lives to have taken the turns they have, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In that same sense, we cannot know what obstacles we will encounter in the next year, six months, or even next week. The aspect of technology that seems most important now is software that can bring the human experience of connection into our individual and separated lives. Technology has enabled those of us in design and applied arts, to continue creating and communicating. As always has been, technology is a tool, but it is not usually the entire idea. Yes, every message is altered and influenced by the medium with which it was created. Still, those beginning in this field need to remember that their uniqueness comes from the union of what is in their mind and their heart, and how they articulate and communicate that union.

Interface designer vs. Graphic designer/production

A Graphics Designer in production is the person in charge of designing and interpreting ideas pointed out by the client or the company. The graphics designer must use market standard applications and techniques to produce attention-grabbing designs intended to market a product, service, or company. Graphic designers are an integral part of a company's digital marketing, especially over the internet. The graphic designer must have a good eye for style, typesetting, and the use of colors.

On average, graphic designer/productions earn lower salaries than interface designers, with a $56,071 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on interface designers and graphic designer/productions resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "sketch," "html," and "css.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from interface designer resumes include skills like "user experience," "ui," "visual design," and "prototyping," whereas a graphic designer/production is more likely to list skills in "graphic design," "adobe illustrator," "adobe indesign," and "signage. "

Graphic designer/productions earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $59,531. Comparatively, interface designers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $139,336.When it comes to education, graphic designer/productions tend to earn lower degree levels compared to interface designers. In fact, they're 10.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Interface designer vs. Graphic designer internship

In a graphic design internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to accomplish tasks while under the supervision of more experienced colleagues. An aspiring graphic designer may use this opportunity to observe and participate in designing for various industries, handle different clients, participate in creative meetings, and learn strategies from experts. Furthermore, there may also be technical tasks involving research and analysis, gathering materials, coordinating with vendors, and producing reports and other necessary documentation. They may also be responsible for maintaining a database and responding to calls and inquires.

Graphic designer interns tend to earn a lower pay than interface designers by an average of $68,890 per year.According to resumes from interface designers and graphic designer interns, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "sketch," "html," and "css. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "user experience," "ui," "visual design," and "prototyping" are skills that commonly show up on interface designer resumes. On the other hand, graphic designer interns use skills like graphic design intern, blog posts, adobe illustrator, and photography on their resumes.The professional industry tends to pay the highest salaries for graphic designer interns, with average annual pay of $41,614. Comparatively, the highest interface designer annual salary comes from the technology industry.The average resume of graphic designer interns showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to interface designers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 11.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.4%.

Types of interface designer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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