Career in the Arts: UI/UX Designers
- Winni Chen
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
For this first installation of "Career in the Arts," I've chosen to research and present (in blog format) on UI/UX designers. UI denotes user interface, and UX denotes user experience. In short, UI/UX designers are responsible for not only determining the visual qualities of a digital product or service but also the user's experience while navigating the tool. Just to get it out of the way, UI/UX designers, according to Indeed, make a base salary of about $113,000 in the United States, although it could be as high as $188,000 or as low as $69,000. Salary varies based on geographic location (urban centers where tech companies are concentrated are far more likely to offer high-paying professional opportunities) and experience.
UI/UX Responsibilities:
Conducting User Research: to better understand users and their needs
Developing Visual Concepts: using typography, color, and layout to create visually appealing and easy-to-navigate designs that are unique and memorable
Information Architecture and Wireframing:
- Creating Personas: personas are fictional characters that represent the different kinds of users that might interact with the product; the use of personas help UX designers recognize where a tool could be refined
- Creating Wireframes and Prototypes: creating a rough idea of how a final product will look and feel
- Designing User Flows: user flows are diagrams that depict the different steps a user might take to complete a task; the use of user flows help UX designers think about how a user interacts with the tool and identify potential areas of friction
Prototyping and Testing Designs: ensuring that a design will function as intended
Assessing Usability: conducting user tests, in which users complete tasks with the product as the UX designer observes or is asked to provide feedback; UX designers can then identify areas for improvement
Credentials Required:
Obtain certification through higher education institutions such as CalArts and UCLA or through industry leaders such as Google, General Assembly, and Adobe.
Coding knowledge is NOT required, but it would bring a competitive edge to aspiring UI/UX designers. Just having on hand the fundamentals of HTML and CSS (these are the languages commonly implemented by developers in UI/UX design) could be beneficial.
Be proficient with technical tools. These include, but are not limited to, Sketch, Figma, and Adobe XD.
College Majors:
Degrees in psychology, technology, and design are valued in the UI/UX industry.
- Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): teaches a mix of communication, programming, psychology, and design
Others:
- Anthropology: the study of humans in society
Schools:
Regionally, the schools that offer the best programs for UI/UX design are:
Nationally, the schools that offer the best programs for UI/UX design are:
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