Ux Designer jobs

UX designer jobs are all about user experience: the aesthetic appeal, usability and accessibility of websites and applications. This is a complex discipline and a senior UX designer will need to balance many concerns, from ease of navigation to apps and websites that display correctly on small mobile devices, to compatibility with screen readers and other accessibility tools.

The role of UX developer falls within the remit of UI designer jobs, as UX is a measure of how pleasant it is to use a particular user interface. UX may be part of the role of a UI developer, especially at senior level, where the highest standard of finished product is usually expected.

Typical tasks of a UX designer

A typical UX designer job involves creating and/or optimising a UI to best meet the needs of its audience. This may mean working with a specific end-user group in mind, or to effectively display information on a particular device or screen. More generally, UI designer jobs may involve designing for the largest possible audience, while avoiding methods that prevent the use of accessibility tools like high-contrast colour schemes, magnifiers and screen readers.

Some UX developers will be involved in the very early stages of a project, meeting face-to-face with the client to discuss their needs and expectations. This data gathering stage then guides the production of user personas, site maps and funnels, and ultimately feeds into the initial visual concepts of the finished product.

UX developers use a variety of tools to help construct an aesthetically pleasing UI. Examples include Adobe products, Axure, InVision, Microsoft Visio, Marvel, OmniGraffle and Sketch. Senior UX designers take on leadership responsibilities and may be required to train junior designers, especially during their first months in the role.

Qualifications required for a UX designer job

Due to the creative nature of the role, the degree disciplines that may be acceptable when applying for UX designer jobs are not solely technical. A degree in computer science will help set your application apart, but equally a high pass in digital marketing or graphic design at bachelor's or master's level may be beneficial.

Regardless of your degree discipline you should have a keen interest in design principles, especially those with relevance to computer applications and websites. An understanding of accessibility issues and their common conflicts with techniques used in UI design could be beneficial in helping you to secure a role, especially in the third sector, where audience accessibility can be more of a primary concern.

Hard/soft skills needed for a UX designer job

The hard skills required for a UX designer job include expert-level familiarity with UI software suites. You should have an up-to-date understanding of issues that impact user experience, including accessibility, but also mobile responsiveness and contemporary aesthetic preferences such as flat design.

Creativity is at the core of the soft skills required for this role. Empathy can also be beneficial, helping you to put yourself in the position of the intended audience. During beta testing you may need to accept criticism from individuals less technically knowledgeable than yourself, and act on their feedback in order to improve UX for the lay user.