UI/UX developers design and build digital user interfaces or websites. They ensure these interfaces are functional and user-friendly by testing layouts, navigation, and compatibility across devices and browsers. They also focus on aesthetics and optimize search engine rankings.
Median income:
Median annual income of $92,750 or $44.59 per hour.
Lifestyle:
Enjoy a flexible work environment, often mixing remote and hybrid arrangements. They can start their workday early or late based on personal preference but may need to accommodate meetings at unconventional hours.
Exciting Parts of the job
Blending business insights with technical skills to meet client needs and create effective solutions
Constantly learning and adapting to new business requirements
Engaging in creative problem-solving
Designing user-friendly interfaces
Challenging Parts of the Job
Constantly needing to learn new technologies and frameworks to create innovative solutions for unique projects
Learning on the go to keep up with industry advancements
Balancing work and personal life in a flexible environment can be challenging due to blurred boundaries between work and personal time
Establishing and enforcing personal boundaries to manage workload effectively.
Job outlook:
The job outlook for UX/UI developers is bright, with a projected 16% growth in employment, significantly faster than the average for all occupations.
Education requirements:
A bachelor’s degree in fields like web design or graphic arts is typically required, and certifications, such as the Google UI/UX certification, can also be beneficial.
This is perfect for you if:
You enjoy investigating user behavior.
You enjoy creating visually appealing designs.
You have a background in programming.
You like solving technological problems.
If that sounds like you, definitely watch our interview with Rosa Arlette Lucas Avila to learn more about being a UX/UI Developer here!
Day in the Life
Schedule:
Schedules are flexible, allowing them to start early without interruptions or accommodate late-night meetings. However, they often work over 40 hours weekly to meet project demands.
Setting:
Typically they work in-office, often within tech companies or design studios, but they may also work remotely or in a hybrid setup.
Tasks:
Meeting with clients to discuss design needs, creating and testing applications, writing code, integrating multimedia, debugging issues, and collaborating with team members. They also conduct user research and build prototypes to ensure the best user experience.
Topics:
Continuous learning of programming languages specific to their work. Like programmers, they also possess knowledge of logic and mathematics.
Skills:
Programming, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving are crucial for creating and improving designs. They also excel in operations analysis to meet product requirements and have strong reading comprehension to understand technical documents.
Tools:
Tools like Salesforce for business operations, DevOps from Microsoft for project planning and documentation, and various Microsoft tools like Teams for communication and collaboration.
Common Characteristics
Natural Talents (strengths):
Talented in empathizing with people, creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability. These strengths help them create appealing, functional designs and work well with others.
Interests:
Interested in investigative work involving research and analysis, artistic work involving creative design, and conventional work that consists of organizing and following procedures.
Personality:
Artistic, investigative, and enterprising personality traits. They often have an imaginative approach to problem-solving, combining creativity with analytical thinking to innovate and enhance user interactions.
Values:
Value independence, which allows them to work autonomously and make decisions; good working conditions with job security and variety; and achievement, providing a sense of accomplishment by using their strongest abilities.
*Terms used to describe interests and personality are based on the Holland Framework.
How to Become a UX/UI Developer
Education requirements:
A bachelor’s degree is typically required along with certifications like Google’s UI/UX certification. Knowledge of programming languages and staying updated on new tools is essential; prior work experience can sometimes substitute for formal education.
Preferred majors:
Computer science, web design, information technology, or other related field can be helpful.
Specialties and Similar Career Paths
Back-end Web Developers
Front-end Web Developers
Technology Applications Engineer
Web Architect
Web Design Specialist
Web Designer
Webmasters
Advice from Rosa
Job hunt tips to set yourself apart:
UX/UI Developers must continue building a strong portfolio showcasing diverse projects, networking within the industry to discover job opportunities, and staying updated with the latest design trends and technologies to demonstrate relevance and skill.
Fastest way to get your foot in the door:
Getting a relevant bachelor’s degree or completing a specialized certification program, building a portfolio of design projects, and gaining practical experience through internships or freelance work can kickstart your career quickly.
Recommended resources:
Aspiring UX/UI developers can benefit from exploring tools like Figma and Microsoft’s design software, along with learning data visualization tools such as Tableau and Power BI. Additionally, pursuing certifications, such as those offered by Google, can enhance their skill set and credibility in the field.
What Rosa would tell her younger self if she was just getting started:
“Everything works out at the end.”
Watch the full interview with Rosa:
Data on job profiles is based on information supplied by the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, My Next Move from the National Center for O*NET Development, and the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration. Accessed 2 July 2024.
