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.
User interface designer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real user interface designer resumes:
- 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.
- Design icons and logos for mobile application development on apple and android systems
- Used CSS3 base design techniques to eliminate table-base layouts, and speed page loading.
- Pilot iRise for requirements visualization.
- Develop PHP applications for customers.
- Create main menu navigation using JavaScript.
- Incorporate JavaScript and DHTML navigation for increase usability.
- Instruct teams on low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototyping techniques.
- Develop click-through prototypes and print documentation using Axure software.
- Design wireframe prototypes for web-base user interfaces using Axure.
User interface designer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of User Interface Designers are proficient in Invision, Interactive Prototypes, and UI. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Artistic ability, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of User Interface Designers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Invision, 12%
Completed user testing and usability analysis with wire-framing and prototyping tools such as InVision.
- Interactive Prototypes, 9%
Created storyboards, wire frames, mockups and high-fidelity interactive prototypes for usability testing.
- UI, 9%
Gathered requirements, designed UI, and usability tested IVR telephone systems Developed and conducted internal training for employees
- Sketch, 8%
Designed sketches, wireframes and sitemaps using Balsamiq, Sketch & Visio.
- User Experience, 4%
Assist product management and development team with web development and user interface design to ensure an optimized user experience.
- Graphic Design, 4%
Worked as a creative graphic designer for a smart phone application layout.
Most user interface designers use their skills in "invision," "interactive prototypes," and "ui" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential user interface designer responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a user interface designer to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "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." User interface designers often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "created navigation and site maps, analysis models, and other methodology-specific artifacts. "
Artistic ability. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling user 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 a user interface designer resume, here's how user interface designers can utilize artistic ability in their job responsibilities: "developed art and artistic direction for the company through design solutions. "
Communication skills. user interface designers are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to user interface designer responsibilities, because "graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information." A user interface designer resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "create prototype with invision and flash to explore best user experience and provide better communication across team. "
Computer skills. For certain user interface designer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "computer skills." The day-to-day duties of a user 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 user interface designers do: "provide computer services to include website design and desktop publishing. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a user interface designer to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what user interface designers relies on this skill, since "graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline." How this skill relates to user interface designer duties can be seen in an example from a user interface designer resume snippet: "worked with other team members to deliver ui artifacts successfully & on time. "
Creativity. While "creativity" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to user interface designer responsibilities. Much of what a user interface designer does relies on this skill, seeing as "graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of user interface designers: "create custom intranet sites and other creative products for customers. "
The three companies that hire the most user interface designers are:
Choose from 10+ customizable user interface designer resume templates
Build a professional user interface designer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your user interface designer resume.
Compare different user interface designers
User 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a user interface designer are more likely to require skills like "interactive prototypes," "ux," "visual design," and "user interface design." On the other hand, a job as a design internship requires skills like "design intern," "human centered design," "adobe indesign," and "auto cad." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Design interns earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $54,174. On the other hand, user interface designers are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $100,710.design interns tend to reach lower levels of education than user interface designers. In fact, design interns are 8.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.User interface designer vs. Designer
A designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences. Designers are creative thinkers with a great eye to configure the skeletal and structural properties of the targeted output. They work in several fields, such as fashion, architecture, web graphics, and user experience. In spite of the variety of professionals in the design industry, all of them are artistic, passionate, inspiring, and emotionally connected to their projects and brands.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real user interface designer resumes. While user interface designer responsibilities can utilize skills like "interactive prototypes," "ui," "ux," and "visual design," designers use skills like "customer service," "revit," "project management," and "aided design."
Designers earn a lower average salary than user interface designers. But designers earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $87,754. Additionally, user interface designers earn the highest salaries in the technology with average pay of $100,710 annually.In general, designers achieve lower levels of education than user interface designers. They're 9.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for user interface designers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida
User interface designer vs. Junior designer
A junior designer is an entry-level professional who is responsible for creating high-quality designs according to the requirements of clients. Under the supervision of senior designers, junior designers must understand project requirements and projects and use various techniques to create drafts, models, and prototypes. They collaborate with team members to pitch in creative ideas and produce final design solutions that can include banners or logos. Junior designers must also take on specially design tasks and use feedback from other designers to improve.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a user interface designer is likely to be skilled in "invision," "interactive prototypes," "ui," and "user experience," while a typical junior designer is skilled in "revit," "design projects," "construction drawings," and "auto cad."
Junior designers earn the highest salary when working in the technology industry, where they receive an average salary of $55,726. Comparatively, user interface designers have the highest earning potential in the technology industry, with an average salary of $100,710.Most junior designers achieve a lower degree level compared to user interface designers. For example, they're 11.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.User interface designer vs. Layout designer
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.
Types of user interface designer
Updated January 8, 2025
