Are you considering a career as a UI UX designer or looking for your next job in the field? Decode UI UX designer job descriptions with the help of this guide.
Whether you’re an aspiring designer, an entry-level professional looking for your first role, or a mid-level UI/UX designer taking the next step in your career, understanding the job market can be tricky.
With so many different design job titles to navigate, and so much variation in terms of how employers define the various roles, it’s hard to pin down exactly what hiring managers are looking for when they post UI/UX designer job ads.
To help you make sense of it all, we’ve put together this guide.
We’ll outline the core tasks, skills, and qualifications you can expect to find in a UI/UX designer job description, and show you how to tailor your applications to boost your chances of job search success.
Contents:
- The UI/UX designer job roles & responsibilities: What does a UI/UX designer do?
- What are the top skills you can expect to see listed in a UI/UX designer job description?
- What qualifications and additional requirements are included in a UI/UX designer job description?
- What to expect from a junior UI/UX designer job description (with examples)
- What to expect from a senior UI/UX designer job description (with examples)
- Applying for jobs: How to tailor your application to the UI/UX designer job description
- Next Steps
Note: While we’ve written this guide primarily for job seekers within the design industry, you may also find it useful if you’re a hiring manager tasked with writing a UI/UX designer job description for your company.
The UI/UX designer job roles & responsibilities: What does a UI/UX designer do?
UI/UX designers are responsible for creating flawlessly functional, visually engaging digital products such as apps, websites, and software.
Their work spans user experience (UX) design, which maps out the overall structure, flow, and architecture of the product, and user interface (UI) design, which focuses on how the product interface (i.e. the user-facing layer) looks and functions.
The UI/UX designer job description encompasses the end-to-end process of designing effective products, including tasks such as:
- Conducting user research to understand end-user goals, requirements, and pain points, and creating user personas
- Defining the problem that the product should solve for the target audience, based on user research findings
- Taking part in ideation sessions to brainstorm product or feature ideas that might solve the user problem or pain point in question
- Creating user flows, sitemaps, and wireframes to determine the layout and navigational structure of the website or app
- Defining the product’s information architecture — that is, how content will be categorized, labeled, and organized throughout the product
- Designing the product’s visual and interactive properties such as the overall color scheme, the layout of each page or screen, and individual UI components and controls such as buttons, menus, widgets, search fields, scroll and swipe functionality, and so on
- Creating high-fidelity prototypes that simulate how the product will look and function once it’s developed
- Conducting usability tests to test how the product performs, gather feedback, identify usability issues, and make improvements
- Handing designs over to developers to be coded into fully functional products
UI/UX designers may also be involved in developing style guides, creating design documentation, and contributing to the overall product vision and strategy.
That’s a high-level overview of what you can expect from a UI/UX designer job description. Next, let’s consider the most important skills that employers look for when hiring for such roles.
2. What are the top skills you can expect to see listed in a UI UX designer job description?
UI UX designers require a mix of both hard and soft skills, as well as proficiency in industry-standard tools. Here are the top skills you can expect to find listed in a UI UX designer job description.
UI UX designer job description hard skills
Hard skills are the technical, role-specific skills that are typically learned through specialist training (a dedicated UI UX design course, for example) and further developed on the job.
The hard skills that most frequently feature in UI UX designer job descriptions include:
- Research and analysis: the ability to conduct different types of research studies such as user interviews, card sorting exercises, focus groups, and surveys, and to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data to pull out actionable insights.
- Creating information architecture: the ability to organize, structure, and label content in a way that’s logical, intuitive, and facilitates the product’s overall usability and accessibility.
- Wireframing and prototyping: creating wireframes and prototypes of varying fidelity and interactivity to visualize product concepts and map out the design of the product as it evolves.
- Visual design: a thorough understanding of concepts such as color theory, typography, hierarchy, and spacing, and how they contribute to both the visual appeal and usability of a product — as well as the ability to design individual UI elements such as icons, buttons, and menus.
- Interaction design: defining and designing the interactive properties that help a user navigate and interact with a product. Interaction design covers things like screen transitions, animations, and what actions are triggered when a user interacts with different elements — clicking on a button, for example, or tapping the ‘heart’ icon.
UI UX designer job description soft skills
Soft skills are interpersonal, transferable skills that enable UI UX designers to collaborate effectively, come up with solutions and ideas, and deliver value to both the end user and the business.
Here are some of the most important soft skills that take priority in a UI UX designer job description:
- Communication and collaboration: the ability to communicate ideas, interact with users, present research findings, and work collaboratively with cross-functional stakeholders.
- Problem-solving and critical thinking: coming up with creative solutions to end-user problems, and being able to navigate different challenges within the role itself — such as working within time and budget restraints.
- Empathy and a user-centric mindset: the ability to understand your target audience and empathize with their frustrations, pain points, and challenges, and to keep their needs in mind when making product decisions.
- Business acumen: understanding the overall business strategy and coming up with products and solutions that contribute to the achievement of key business goals and metrics.
- Project and time management: the UI UX designer job description is incredibly varied, and professionals in the field must be able to manage their time effectively and prioritize their tasks.
UI UX designer job description: tools and software
Most UI UX designer job descriptions will also mention specific tools that candidates should be proficient in. The exact tools will vary from company to company, but commonly include:
- Figma — a collaborative wireframing, prototyping, and brainstorming tool
- Sketch — a vector graphics editor used for creating wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mock-ups
- Adobe XD — part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, used for wireframing and prototyping
- UsabilityHub — a user research and usability testing tool
- Hotjar — a behavior analytics tool used to analyze user behavior in relation to a specific product and identify usability issues
- Asana — a project management tool used to plan and collaborate on design projects, tasks, and workflows
- Slack — a messaging platform used for communication, file-sharing, and video-calling
Learn more: 15 Must-Have UI UX Design Skills and How To Develop Them
What qualifications and additional requirements are included in a UI UX designer job description?
Besides the technical and soft skills we’ve mentioned, UI UX designer job descriptions may also specify additional requirements, such as:
- An industry-relevant qualification. Many employers will look for a degree or certification in fields such as human-computer interaction (HCI), graphic design, interaction design, or UI and UX design.
- Experience in a specific industry. A fintech company posting a UI UX designer job description might look for designers with specialist knowledge or experience of the finance sector, for example.
- General UI/UX design work experience. Mid-level and senior UI UX designer roles and responsibilities will typically require a few years’ prior experience in a UI or UX design job.
- A professional portfolio. The majority of employers will want to see evidence of your skills in the form of a portfolio. A stand-out UI/UX design portfolio includes case studies that document real projects you’ve worked on, outlining your process, methodologies, tools, and the final solutions you came up with.
So far, we’ve considered the fundamental skills, knowledge, and experience that typically feature in a UI UX designer job description — but of course, the requirements vary depending on the seniority of the role.
With that in mind, let’s consider what you can expect from junior and senior UI/UX designer job descriptions.
What to expect from a junior UI UX designer job description (with examples)
If you’re applying for your first UI UX designer job, you’ll probably focus your search on junior and entry-level roles.
So what can you expect from a junior UI/UX designer job description?
0-2 years of experience
When hiring an early-career designer, the best employers are prepared to provide on-the-job training and help you take your first step into the industry. As such, most entry-level job postings will be flexible in terms of how much experience they require, typically requesting 0-2 years of experience.
An industry-relevant qualification
In lieu of work experience, many junior UI UX designer job descriptions emphasize the value of an industry-relevant qualification — be it a bachelor’s degree, a certification, or successful completion of a UI/UX design boot camp.
If you haven’t worked in the field, a credible qualification verifies that you’ve learned fundamental UI/UX design theory, concepts, and tools and that you’re well-versed in the UI/UX design process. This equips you with the basic prerequisites to work in the field and develop your practical skills. It also demonstrates to prospective employers that you’re passionate about design and committed to your new career path.
You can learn more about available qualifications in this round-up of the best UI/UX design courses.
Example: A junior UI/UX designer job description posted by a decentralized data infrastructure company.
A simple portfolio
Junior UI/UX designer job descriptions will usually mention a portfolio as either a must or nice-to-have — but rest assured that employers won’t expect you to have a huge body of work to showcase.
Ultimately, they want to see some evidence of your fledgling design skills in action, and one or two well-crafted case studies are sufficient to demonstrate your grasp of key tools, concepts, and processes. An excellent example is this Case Study by AND learner Aromal Jose Baby which dives deep into the ideation that went into designing a Game Creators Community.
If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to work on real projects, you can build your portfolio from passion projects (e.g. hypothetical projects where you apply the design process to a user problem of your choice), unsolicited redesigns, volunteer work, or practical projects completed as part of your UI UX design course.
An emphasis on soft and transferable skills
Entry-level UI/UX designer job descriptions tend to place great emphasis on soft and transferable skills.
While technical skills can be learned on the job, employers will be looking for strong communication and interpersonal skills, a can-do attitude, and a willingness to learn and grow — all key skills that will set you in good stead to thrive in your first role.
Hands-on design tasks and support
Most junior UI/UX designer job descriptions will feature a varied and hands-on list of tasks and responsibilities.
While senior UI/UX roles may be more strategic, entry-level professionals can expect to focus on creating design deliverables and supporting more senior designers with the practical implementation of the end-to-end UX design process and overall strategic vision.
Example: A junior UI/UX designer job description posted by a staffing and recruitment agency.
What to expect from a senior UI UX designer job description (with examples)
While junior UI UX designer roles focus primarily on learning the ropes and gaining practical experience, senior UI UX designer job descriptions place greater emphasis on leadership and strategy — and naturally call for more experience and expertise.
Let’s consider what sets senior UI/UX designer job descriptions apart from junior ones.
5+ years of professional experience
Unsurprisingly, senior UI/UX designer job descriptions tend to specify a requirement for at least five years of professional experience.
Given that senior roles require a certain depth and breadth of expertise, it’s important that candidates gather plenty of on-the-job experience and gain exposure to the more strategic side of design before applying for such roles.
Extensive technical and design expertise
It goes without saying that senior UI/UX designers are expected to be well-versed in UI UX principles, tools, and processes, so you probably won’t see those mentioned in the job description.
Rather, senior UI UX designer job descriptions typically emphasize more advanced expertise such as knowledge of responsive design, an understanding of frontend technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, complex project management, and strong data analysis skills.
Example: A senior UI/UX designer job description posted by a blockchain security company.
An emphasis on leadership, strategy, and vision
Senior UI UX designers may still be involved in creating design assets and deliverables, but they are much more focused on devising and overseeing the strategic vision than they are on executing it.
When exploring senior UI UX designer job descriptions, expect to see plenty of emphasis on strategy, leadership, cross-functional collaboration, team management, mentorship, and managing design systems and libraries.
Example: A senior UI/UX designer job description posted by an auto insurance company.
Applying for jobs: How to tailor your application to the UI UX designer job description
When applying for UI/UX designer roles, it’s essential that you position yourself as a suitable candidate — and that means tailoring your application in a way that aligns with the UI UX designer job description and shows employers that you’ve got what they’re looking for.
Follow these tips and best practices for maximum success in your job search.
1. Read every UI/UX designer job description from start to finish
Searching for jobs is incredibly time-consuming, and you might be tempted to just skim over the job description quickly — or even simply hit ‘apply’ without reading it at all.
While you might be able to apply for a much higher volume of jobs with that approach, your chances of success will be slim. Most recruiters and employers are looking for evidence that you’re genuinely interested in the role and the company and that you’ve applied because you truly believe you’re a good fit. Generic, rushed applications rarely make it through the net.
So: make sure you read through every job ad from beginning to end. Get a good grasp on what the company does and what they’re looking for before you send off your application.
2. Keyword-match your resume and cover letter
Most recruiters nowadays use applicant tracking systems that scan your resume and cover letter for specific keywords.
So, if you want to put your best foot forward for UI/UX designer roles, optimize your application for the most relevant keywords.
Let’s say you’re looking at a UI/UX designer job description that requires proficiency in Figma, knowledge of design thinking, and specialist expertise in motion design. Those are your keywords, so you’d make a point of mentioning them in both your cover letter and your UI/UX designer resume (as long as you do indeed possess those skills, of course).
That way, if a recruiter is using an automated system to filter applications, you’ve got a much better chance of making it through.
3. Emphasize your most relevant skills and experience
Even if recruiters aren’t using an applicant tracking system, they’ll still be scanning your application manually to see evidence of a good fit.
As you read through a UI UX designer job description, pick out the most important skills and experiences the hiring manager is looking for and, wherever there’s a match, highlight them front and center in your application.
If you’re applying for a UI/UX designer role with a healthcare company, for example, and the job description mentions that experience in the healthcare sector is a bonus, and that they’re looking for exceptional data analysis skills, you could introduce yourself on your resume as “a data-driven UI UX designer with 5+ years’ experience working in health tech startups”.
This immediately positions you as a good fit for the role, encouraging the hiring manager to consider your application in more detail.
The same rule applies throughout your resume, cover letter, and portfolio. Prioritize your skills and experiences that make the most sense for the job description in question, and be sure to adapt your application for each unique role.
Ultimately, you want your application package to clearly demonstrate that you’ve read through the UI/UX designer job description thoroughly, that you understand what the role requires, and, most importantly, that you’re a good fit for the role in question. That’s when hiring managers will sit up and take notice!
7. Next steps
We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to grips with the UI UX designer job description — and that you now feel better equipped to find and apply for roles that suit your interests, skills, and experience.
Whether you’re just getting started with UI UX design or looking to take the next step in your career, there’s plenty more you can do to increase your chances of success in the job market. Check out the following guides and resources for further tips and insights:
- A Guide to UI/UX Designer Job Titles (And Their Salaries)
- The Most Common UI/UX Interview Questions (And How to Answer Them)
- Should You Pursue a UI/UX Design Course?
For further information, here are some additional resources you can refer to:
- Watch this session by Shiva Viswanathan, Design Head of Ogilvy Pennywise, and Naman Singh, Product Experience Designer at RED.
- Talk to a course advisor to discuss how you can transform your career with one of our courses.
- Pursue our UI UX Design courses - all courses are taught through live, interactive classes by industry experts, and some even offer a Job Guarantee.
- Take advantage of our scholarship and funding options to overcome any financial hurdle on the path of your career transformation.
Note: All information and/or data from external sources is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication.
