Job Description
UX Designers bring form and function together by creating user experiences (UX) that are both aesthetic and intuitive. They develop wireframes, workflows, site maps — even storyboards — for mobile and web platforms. UX Designers also help implement the visual design elements that give a product or website emotional weight, such as button color and placement, load animations, and logo sizes.
UX Designers are thorough researchers and quality analysts, using A/B testing to narrow down design choices to best suit their users’ wants and needs. A great UX Designer can use his or her skills to provide a seamless experience that accomplishes several business goals at once, most of all creating the “look and feel” of a product’s user interface.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
- Research target audiences for products and websites
- Create personas to understand user needs and desires
- Design screen flows, wireframes, site maps, and storyboards
- Develop and evaluate a working interaction model
- Conduct user testing and quality analysis
- Collaborate with Front- and Back-End Web Developers
Education and Background
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, design, or a related field.
Skills and Competencies
- Proficiency writing CSS/HTML
- Expertise in building and researching buyer personals
- Knowledge of graphic design tools, such as Adobe Creative Cloud
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
- Experience in project management
- Superior communication skills
Compensation
According to Payscale the median annual salary of a UX Designer with
1 Year of Experience:
- Orlando, Florida: $65,000
- Tampa, Florida: $68,000
- Jacksonville, Florida: $70,000
- Miami, Florida: $75,000
- Atlanta, Georgia: $85,000
- Chicago, Illinois: $70,000
- Houston, Texas: $78,000
- Los Angeles, California: $80,000
- New York City, New York: $80,000
- Seattle, Washington: $94,000
- Overall: $78,000
5 Years of Experience:
- Orlando, Florida: $69,000
- Tampa, Florida: $74,000
- Jacksonville, Florida: $75,000
- Miami, Florida: $80,000
- Atlanta, Georgia: $90,000
- Chicago, Illinois: $90,000
- Houston, Texas: $88,000
- Los Angeles, California: $88,000
- New York City, New York: $110,000
- Seattle, Washington: $100,000
- Overall: $85,000
Similar Titles
- UX Product Engineer
- UX Strategist
- UX Architect
- Lead UX Designer
Career Path
The path to starting a career in UX design begins with earning a bachelor’s degree in visual design, computer science, psychology, or a similar field. Many candidates go on to earn master’s degrees to shore up their skills and stand out to potential employers.
UX Designers must be knowledgeable in a variety of disciplines. They are experts in targeting and researching a products’ audiences, as well as creating the actual UX that appeals to those key demographics. A strong portfolio of work is crucial to prove a UX Designer candidate’s experience juggling so many essential responsibilities.
Position Trends
Thanks to smartphones and tablets becoming essential tools for millions of consumers, good user experience is no longer a luxury: it’s a necessity.
UX Designers will need to continue adding new skills like UX copywriting to their repertoire. Writing clear, concise micro-copy, such as CTA buttons and error messages, helps create a more immersive user experience. With smart speakers becoming more prevalent than ever, UX Designers must also focus on developing streamlined, user-friendly voice interfaces.
Job Outlook
UX Designers will only become more important for companies looking to create digital products with user-friendly interfaces. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for all Industrial Designers (including UX Designers) will grow three percent through 2028.
Typical Hours
The work hours for a UX Designer are typically from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday in an office setting. However, longer or different hours may, at times, be necessary.
Where You Can Find Jobs
- 4 Corner Resources
- Career Builder
- Glassdoor
- Indeed
- Monster
- Zip Recruiter
Are You Interested in Becoming a UX Designer?
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