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User interface designer vs graphic designer

The differences between user interface designers and graphic designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a user interface designer and a graphic designer. Additionally, a user interface designer has an average salary of $92,247, which is higher than the $49,450 average annual salary of a graphic designer.

The top three skills for a user interface designer include invision, interactive prototypes and UI. The most important skills for a graphic designer are adobe creative suite, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

User interface designer vs graphic designer overview

User Interface DesignerGraphic Designer
Yearly salary$92,247$49,450
Hourly rate$44.35$23.77
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs51,37545,625
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a user interface designer do?

A user interface designer specializes in designing and developing the interface of websites and web applications, aiming to optimize the user experience. Among their responsibilities include liaising with clients to identify and understand their needs and preferences, conceptualizing plans and storyboards, creating web and visual elements, and performing research and analysis to determine the best practices. A user interface designer typically works with a team of designers and developers, which requires an active communication line for a smooth and efficient workflow.

What does a graphic designer do?

Graphic designers are visual communicators who create graphic ideas to deliver a message through art and images which inspire, inform, and motivate consumers with the use of computer software, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign or by hand. They have the ability to design stunning illustrations that are easily understood, even without a lot of thinking or based on the demand of their clients. It is very crucial to them as well to be flexible and to stay on top of the design trends. They create websites, posters, packaging, logos, advertising, and marketing materials, depending on the nature of the business.

User interface designer vs graphic designer salary

User interface designers and graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

User Interface DesignerGraphic Designer
Average salary$92,247$49,450
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $131,000Between $34,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateWashingtonMassachusetts
Best paying companyAirbnbMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between user interface designer and graphic designer education

There are a few differences between a user interface designer and a graphic designer in terms of educational background:

User Interface DesignerGraphic Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

User interface designer vs graphic designer demographics

Here are the differences between user interface designers' and graphic designers' demographics:

User Interface DesignerGraphic Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 65.2% Female, 34.8%Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between user interface designer and graphic designer duties and responsibilities

User interface designer example responsibilities.

  • Manage prototype content in wireframes when necessary.
  • Introduce utilization of mock-up screens, CSS, and style guides to create a consistent look across product screens.
  • Perform rapid HTML prototyping for intranets and online applications.
  • Analyze the business requirement and conceptualize UI design patterns through paper prototyping.
  • Modify the styling of the existing web pages using CSS3.
  • Test new designs on mobile device such as apple and android.
  • Show more

Graphic designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the transition from paste-up, typesetting, pasting up page layout to digital ad/page building and web printing.
  • Design new template for magazine as well as ads, flyers, brochures, and cards for a variety of events.
  • Plan the development of a social networking site website using HTML, CSS, PHP, and a WordPress management system.
  • Compose and create daily advertisements for national automotive dealerships utilizing typography and design concepts while adhering to corporate brand standards.
  • Follow style guide requirements to maintain brand integrity with specific treatments of photography, typography, graphic elements and team/sponsor/arena logos.
  • Create UI kit for the website.
  • Show more

User interface designer vs graphic designer skills

Common user interface designer skills
  • Invision, 12%
  • Interactive Prototypes, 9%
  • UI, 9%
  • Sketch, 8%
  • User Experience, 4%
  • Graphic Design, 4%
Common graphic designer skills
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 6%
  • Typography, 5%
  • Brochures, 5%
  • Design Concepts, 5%

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