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Hiring a UI Designer: Job Description, Pay, & More

User interface (UI) designers are part of a team dedicated to making a business’s user experience seamless and enjoyable. They work alongside UX developers and product managers to understand the customer’s needs and design solutions that deliver those needs. Hiring for this role requires a candidate with the right credentials as well as both hard and soft skills to be successful in the role.

This article will provide the details needed to hire a UI designer, create a compelling UI designer job description, and more.

What does a UI designer do?

UI designers are responsible for graphical elements that create the “look and feel” of a user interface on a web page or application. This includes buttons, logos, icons, layouts, navigation systems, and other user-friendly graphics that make it easier for customers to interact with a digital product.

UI designers work closely with UX developers and product managers to improve the user experience by making it more cohesive, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing.


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Roles and responsibilities of a UI designer

The role of a typical UI designer is complex, but includes:

  • Translating UX wireframes, process/user flows, storyboards, and site maps into design ideas.
  • Collaborating with product managers, engineers, and UX designers on ways to streamline the user experience.
  • Establishing a style guide and ensuring consistency across all visual touch points for the user.
  • Designing UI elements such as scrollbars, sliders, icons, buttons, headers, and more.
  • Using knowledge of color theory and web design to create visually appealing web pages or apps.
  • Prototyping low-fidelity wireframes, testing clickable prototypes, and staging high-fidelity prototypes ahead of launch.

Top skills for a UI designer

When it comes to top skills for UI designers, they need to possess a combination of interpersonal and design skills to be successful. Some core competencies that aid UI design candidates include:

  • Cross-team communication: UI designers work in constant collaboration with developers and product managers. They need to be able to communicate effectively at every stage of design to ensure consistency across digital assets.
  • Pro at prototyping: Even entry-level UI design candidates should have baseline proficiency in standard design practices and prototyping tools. Some of the most common include InVision, Sketch, and Adobe XD.
  • UI proficiency: Demonstrable UI design skills with ideal proficiency in wire-framing tools such as Photoshop or Illustrator.
  • Problem-solving skills: Ability to creatively solve user workflow issues and respond to sensitive user-system interactions.
  • Eye for design: Up to date on new design trends/color theory with a working knowledge of graphic design tools and Agile development processes.
  • Empathy for the end user: At the core of everything, a good UI designer should understand the needs and pain points of their users in order to design workflows that anticipate and mitigate issues.

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Qualifications and best certifications of a UI designer

Although not required, many UI design roles prefer candidates with an associate or bachelor’s degree in graphic design, web design, art, or a related field. Since UI best practices and tools are always evolving, many candidates opt to take UI design certification programs that focus on emerging trends and hands-on training.

Candidates also benefit from having a strong portfolio showcasing previous UI projects they have worked on.

How to write a UI designer job description

The role of a UI designer can mean different things based on the product they’re supporting and the tools available. When creating UI design job descriptions, collaborate with your UX developer and product managers to understand the graphic design, project management, wire framing, and prototyping tools the candidate is expected to use on a daily basis.

Call attention to any technical proficiencies or hard skills that a candidate needs to be successful at your organization. That may include strong typography skills, working knowledge of tools such as InDesign, and an understanding of UI design terminology such as sitemaps, user flows, wireframes, prototypes, and more. If experience with engineering frameworks such as Agile or Scrum is encouraged, be sure to note that in the description, as well as coding languages such as JavaScript or HTML.


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UI designer pay and job outlook

According to the Bureau for U.S. Labor Statistics, digital designer jobs are expected to grow nearly 25% between 2021 and 2031, with over 21,800 new jobs projected each year. This tremendous growth is matched by strong wages to attract top candidates. The median annual wage for digital interface designers was $79,890 in May 2021. However, Glassdoor reporting found a 2022 average closer to $87,704.

Common UI designer interview questions

To find the candidate with the right qualifications for your UI design needs, be sure to ask pointed UI designer interview questions:

  • Please share the different UI frameworks and technologies you are trained and experienced in.
  • How do you approach a new UI design project? How do you validate your design decisions?
  • What UX information do you need before you begin designing the UI experience?
  • What brand app or digital user experience meets your ideal UI design?
  • How do you stay on top of design trends?
  • How do you juggle competing design priorities?
  • What prototyping tools do you have previous experience using? What are your preferred prototyping tools and why?
  • How do you approach redesigning a high-traffic user interface?
  • How do you adapt your approach when designing on web versus mobile applications?
  • How do you create accessibility in your UI design?
  • What is your best approach to collaborating effectively with UX developers, product managers, and engineers?

Hire your next UI designer today

UI designers have complex jobs that require a working knowledge of graphic design and web development frameworks. Finding the right individual takes a concerted effort on the part of hiring managers to understand the skills and proficiencies needed in a top candidate.

When looking for your next UI designer, consider reaching out to Insight Global’s network of talented UI professionals!

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