What Does a UI Designer Do?
A UI (User Interface) Designer is responsible for crafting the visual and interactive elements of digital products, such as websites, applications, and software platforms. Their work ensures that users can easily navigate and interact with a product in a way that is both efficient and aesthetically pleasing. UI Designers focus on layout, color schemes, typography, button styles, and responsive design, creating interfaces that are both intuitive and visually engaging.
They collaborate closely with UX (User Experience) designers, developers, and product managers to translate conceptual designs and wireframes into pixel-perfect user interfaces. UI Designers use tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD to build prototypes and design systems, ensuring consistency across all screens and devices. Their work directly impacts how users perceive a brand and how efficiently users can accomplish their goals.
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UI Designer Core Responsibilities
- Translate UX wireframes into high-fidelity UI designs
- Create and maintain design systems, style guides, and UI pattern libraries
- Design responsive layouts optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop platforms
- Ensure designs are accessible, following WCAG and ADA standards
- Collaborate with UX designers, developers, and product teams during design sprints
- Produce interactive prototypes for stakeholder review and usability testing
- Iterate on feedback from usability tests and A/B testing results
- Stay up to date on design trends, tools, and technologies
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in design tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, and Photoshop
- Strong understanding of HTML, CSS, and responsive design principles
- Ability to create wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes
- Experience working with design systems and brand guidelines
- Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG, ADA)
- Understanding of user-centered design practices
Soft skills
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills
- Ability to accept and incorporate constructive feedback
- Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
- Problem-solving mindset with user empathy
- Flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities in an agile environment
Educational requirements
Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, interaction design, human-computer interaction (HCI), or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered
Certifications
Certifications are not required but may be helpful (e.g., NN/g UX Certification, Adobe Certified Expert)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with front-end development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
- Prior experience designing enterprise applications or SaaS products
- Familiarity with animation tools such as After Effects or Principle
- Experience conducting or assisting with usability testing
- Knowledge of component-driven development frameworks (e.g., React, Vue)
National Average Salary
UI designer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for an UI Designer is:
$90,075
UI Designer Job Descriptions
When it comes to recruiting a UI designer, having the right job description can make a big difference. Here are some real world job descriptions you can use as templates for your next opening.
Example 1: Web UI Designer
Position overview
A Web UI Designer focuses on creating user interfaces specifically for web-based applications and websites. This role involves designing intuitive, attractive, and responsive web layouts that enhance user engagement and align with business objectives. The ideal candidate is well-versed in the latest web design trends, browser compatibility, and user-centered design principles.
Responsibilities
- Design engaging and intuitive interfaces for websites and web apps
- Develop wireframes, prototypes, and final visual designs
- Collaborate with UX designers, developers, and marketing teams
- Ensure design consistency across all web pages and components
- Apply responsive design techniques for optimal experience across devices
- Use A/B testing and user feedback to guide iterative improvements
- Optimize designs for performance, accessibility, and conversion
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proficiency in Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch
- Strong understanding of HTML, CSS, and web standards
- Experience with responsive design and cross-browser compatibility
- Familiarity with accessibility best practices (WCAG)
- Portfolio of responsive web designs
Soft skills
- Attention to detail and aesthetic sensibility
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Adaptability to fast-paced development cycles
- Problem-solving mindset focused on user needs
Educational requirements
Bachelor’s degree in web design, graphic design, HCI, or similar field
Example 2: Mobile UI Designer
Position overview
A Mobile UI Designer specializes in crafting visually engaging and highly functional interfaces for iOS and Android applications. They ensure mobile user experiences are smooth, consistent, and intuitive across a wide range of devices. This role requires deep knowledge of mobile design guidelines and responsiveness.
Responsibilities
- Design visually appealing interfaces for mobile applications
- Follow mobile platform guidelines (Apple HIG, Material Design)
- Create prototypes and interactive mockups for user testing
- Work with product teams to align mobile UX/UI with user needs
- Conduct usability tests to inform design decisions
- Collaborate with developers to ensure design feasibility and consistency
- Maintain design assets across iOS and Android platforms
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expertise in mobile design tools (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD)
- Understanding of platform-specific guidelines (iOS/Android)
- Familiarity with mobile performance considerations
- Ability to create interactive mobile prototypes
Soft skills
- User empathy and mobile-first thinking
- Clear communication with cross-functional teams
- Proactive collaboration with UX researchers and engineers
- Creative problem-solving in constrained environments
Educational requirements
Bachelor’s degree in interaction design, mobile app design, or related discipline
Example 3: UI Systems Designer
Position overview
A UI Systems Designer builds and maintains comprehensive design systems that provide consistency across large-scale digital products. This role focuses on the scalability, modularity, and reusability of UI components. Ideal candidates combine deep design expertise with technical insight into design-to-code workflows.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain scalable design systems and pattern libraries
- Collaborate with engineers to integrate systems into front-end codebases
- Ensure accessibility and responsiveness in all UI components
- Define guidelines for typography, spacing, icons, and interactions
- Audit existing products to identify inconsistencies and opportunities for standardization
- Lead workshops and documentation for design system adoption
- Evolve systems based on product needs and design trends
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience with design system platforms (Figma libraries, Zeroheight)
- Understanding of front-end technologies and design token integration
- Familiarity with atomic design principles
- Strong knowledge of accessibility and responsive design standards
Soft skills
- Detail-oriented and systems-thinking mindset
- Ability to communicate design logic clearly
- Leadership and collaboration across multiple teams
- Strong documentation and visual communication abilities
Educational requirements
Bachelor’s degree in design, HCI, or a related technical/design field