UX​/UI Designer

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A UX/UI Designer is responsible for designing the way digital products such as websites and mobile apps look and feel, as well as how users interact with them. UX stands for User Experience, which focuses on making products easy and enjoyable to use, while UI stands for User Interface, which deals with the visual elements like buttons, colours, and layouts. In this role, you might conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, collaborate with developers, and test designs with real users to ensure everything works smoothly.

This career is ideal for creative individuals who enjoy problem‑solving and are interested in technology.

The average salary for a UX/UI Designer in the UK is between £28,000 and £50,000 per year, with senior roles earning up to £70,000 or more.

There are over 5,000 UX/UI Designer positions advertised in the UK each year, particularly in cities like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh.

The demand for UX/UI Designers in the UK is expected to grow by around 13 percent over the next five years due to the rise in digital products and services.

Focuses on designing user interfaces and experiences specifically for mobile applications, ensuring intuitive navigation and appealing layouts for smartphone and tablet users.

Conducts in-depth research to understand how users interact with digital products, gathering insights to inform design choices and improve user satisfaction.

Specialises in creating digital experiences that are accessible to people with disabilities, ensuring websites and apps meet accessibility standards and are usable by everyone.

Study fundamental design concepts such as colour theory, typography, layout and visual hierarchy.

Strong foundational knowledge of design principles is crucial for creating attractive and effective user interfaces. You can start with free online resources, design books or short online courses. Understanding these basics will help you create designs that are both visually appealing and functional.

Practise using industry‑standard tools like Figma, Adobe XD or Sketch for designing and prototyping.

Most UX/UI designers use digital tools for wire framing, prototyping and designing user interfaces. Free versions or trials are available for many of these, and there are numerous tutorials online to help you get started. Experiment with creating your own sample projects to build confidence.

Learn about user‑research, personas, journey mapping and usability testing.

UX/UI design is all about the end user. Techniques like user interviews, surveys and creating personas help you understand what users need and want from a product. Practise by conducting simple research with friends or family and mapping out their experiences with everyday digital products.

Design and document your own projects to showcase your skills to potential employers.

A portfolio is essential for UX/UI roles. Include case studies that show your process from research to final design, even if they are personal or practice projects. Use platforms like Behance or your own website to present your work professionally.

Gain experience through internships, freelance work, volunteering or collaborating on open source projects.

Look for opportunities to design for charities, student organisations or small businesses. Even unpaid projects can build your experience and provide work to add to your portfolio. Participating in design challenges or hackathons is another great way to practise and get feedback.

Connect with other designers and professionals through events, online communities and social media.

Networking can help you learn about industry trends and job vacancies, and get advice from experienced designers. Join groups on Linked In, attend meetups or webinars, and participate in online forums such as UX Stack Exchange or Reddit’s r/user experience.