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User interface designer vs layout designer

The differences between user interface designers and layout 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 layout designer. Additionally, a layout designer has an average salary of $94,509, which is higher than the $92,247 average annual salary of a user interface designer.

The top three skills for a user interface designer include invision, interactive prototypes and UI. The most important skills for a layout designer are CAD, CMOS, and layout design.

User interface designer vs layout designer overview

User Interface DesignerLayout Designer
Yearly salary$92,247$94,509
Hourly rate$44.35$45.44
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs51,37543,997
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
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 layout designer do?

A layout designer is responsible for designing and creating attractive layouts for publications and marketing materials. Layout designers utilize various software design applications and systems, requiring them to have excellent computer skills for efficient navigation. They work closely with the whole design and graphic teams for content consistency and adherence to quality standards and requirements. A layout designer evaluates the current market trends to identify media elements and modify designs that meet public demands and interests.

User interface designer vs layout designer salary

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

User Interface DesignerLayout Designer
Average salary$92,247$94,509
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $131,000Between $59,000 And $149,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonCalifornia
Best paying companyAirbnbApple
Best paying industryTechnology-

Differences between user interface designer and layout designer education

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

User Interface DesignerLayout Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

User interface designer vs layout designer demographics

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

User Interface DesignerLayout Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 65.2% Female, 34.8%Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0%
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 layout 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

Layout designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead development team to manage CMOS projects to meet short time frames, keep schedules sharp with excellent time management practices.
  • Accomplish number of I/O libraries for use in many successfully products.
  • Lead efforts for debugging DRC, ERC and LVS layout and verification issues.
  • Modify SRV-1 source code using JavaScript software to attain tracking at any instantaneous time.
  • Perform reliability verification, DRC, ERC and LVS.
  • Debug DRC, LVS, and DFM errors in device-level and block-level layout.
  • Show more

User interface designer vs layout designer skills

Common user interface designer skills
  • Invision, 12%
  • Interactive Prototypes, 9%
  • UI, 9%
  • Sketch, 8%
  • User Experience, 4%
  • Graphic Design, 4%
Common layout designer skills
  • CAD, 11%
  • CMOS, 7%
  • Layout Design, 7%
  • Cadence Virtuoso, 7%
  • Virtuoso, 5%
  • Analog Circuits, 4%

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