what is a UX designer?
UX is short for 'user experience'. As a UX designer, you are responsible for crafting project elements that users will interact with directly. Examples include an app's user interface or a web page's front end. UX design is all about creating products that are easy and enjoyable to use. UX designers play a crucial role in the development of digital products.
You are responsible for a user's overall experience when interacting with a product. You implement research and user feedback to design interfaces that are easy to navigate and visually appealing. Another important aspect of your role is ensuring the product is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities or who speak different languages.
To become a UX designer, you typically need a degree or certification in a related field, such as graphic design or computer science. It's also important to have a solid understanding of UX design principles and proficiency in the design tools used in this profession.
Does the prospect of being a UX designer appeal to your creative side and desire to help others? If so, read to find out what skills and competencies you need to succeed in this role.
UX designer roles
average ux designer salary
According to Payscale, the average salary of a UX designer is ₹606,923 per year. Entry-level positions for UX designers pay around ₹255,000 per year. At the other end of the scale, the highest earners in the field can make as much as ₹20,00,000 per year. Salaries in this profession can also include bonuses and profit-sharing agreements.
factors that affect a ux designer's pay
UX design is a growing field, and as demand for skilled professionals increases, so does your earning potential. Several factors can affect your pay. One such factor that can make a big difference when first starting in this profession is education. The higher your level of education in related fields, the higher your potential starting salary.
After qualifications, your experience is the most significant factor in your potential pay. Of course, when first starting out in the industry, you do not have much—if any—experience. As a mid-level UX designer, you have three to five years of experience. Your areas of expertise are also relevant. Competency in a range of platforms means you can negotiate a higher salary than if you are only comfortable with one or two.
types of ux designer
UX design is a multidisciplinary field, and there are many different areas of specialism within the field, each with its specific areas of expertise. Here are some of the most common types of UX designers:
- ux generalist: a UX generalist has a broad range of skills across many areas of UX design. In this role, you work on everything from user research to visual and interaction design.
- interaction designer: as an interaction designer, you focus on designing how users interact with a digital product. You work on everything from creating intuitive navigation to designing a seamless user flow.
- visual designer: you are responsible for the look and feel of a product. You work on typography, colour schemes, and creating a consistent visual language across the product.
- user researcher: as the name suggests, user researchers conduct research to better understand the needs and behaviours of a product's users. You then use this information to inform the design process and ensure that the product is user-friendly.
- information architect: as an information architect, you work on the structure and organisation of information within a digital product. You create sitemaps, wireframes, and other diagrams to help designers and developers understand the layout of a product.
- content strategist: this role focuses on creating the content for a digital product. You ensure that the language used is clear, concise, and easy to understand and that it aligns with the product's overall design.
- accessibility designer: accessibility designers ensure that a digital product is accessible to users with disabilities. You work on creating alternative text for images and ensuring that the product can be used with assistive technology like screen readers.
working as a UX designer
The specific duties of a UX designer include the following:
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UX designer job description
What does a UX designer do? The specific duties of a UX designer include:
- collaboration: UX designers typically work as part of a larger team, collaborating with other designers, developers, and stakeholders. This collaborative work environment allows for feedback and iteration on designs, ultimately leading to a better end product.
- research: everything you do as a UX designer aims to make a product easier for the end-user. To do this, you need a wealth of information on aspects of the product that need changing or improving, which means examining and sometimes conducting research.
- staying up-to-date: to fulfil your duties, you stay up-to-date with the latest information and trends in your field. Continuous learning and professional development are essential to a UX designer's job.
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work environment
Your work environment can be quite varied when it comes to the physical space you operate in. Remote working opportunities are fairly common, with many UX designers working from home. If you do not work remotely, your environment is typically office-based. With UX design being such a collaborative field, you work with others regularly, using digital communication or in person.
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who are your colleagues?
As mentioned above, UX design is a highly collaborative field, with many professionals working together to produce the best product possible. As a UX designer, you work with many people including development engineers, content strategists, analysts, researchers, project managers and product managers. You may also work with other UX designers, particularly if you specialise in certain areas of UX.
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work schedule
For the most part, your schedule as a UX designer will follow the relatively standard business hours of 9 am to 6 pm or around 48 hours per week. You may also be expected to do overtime during the delivery periods of any projects you are working on.
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job outlook
Your job outlook as a UX designer is highly positive, with increasing demand for skilled professionals in this field. More and more companies realise the value of user-friendly apps and websites, and the demand for these services opens up a range of potential industries for you to work in. In terms of pay, you have significant earning potential as you gain experience as a UX designer.
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advantages of finding a UX designer job through randstad
Finding your UX designer job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid on a monthly basis
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a UX designer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Some of the academic qualifications for UX designers include:
- 12 standard education: no formal qualifications are considered essential for becoming a UX designer. However, most—if not all—employers will look for at least a 12-standard education in a related stream, such as science.
- bachelor's degree: a degree in UX and graphics design or computer applications is not essential, but will significantly improve your chances of being hired. It will also enhance your earning potential in your first few years in the industry.
- design certifications: the most important qualifications for a UX designer are certifications related to the disciplines and platforms you work with. These certifications typically take much less time to obtain than a degree.
UX designer skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a UX designer include:
- user research: UX designers are skilled in conducting user research to better understand the needs and behaviours of a product's users. You create user personas, conduct surveys and usability tests, and analyse user feedback.
- interaction design: interaction design is the process of designing how users interact with a digital product. You are skilled at creating intuitive, user-friendly interactions aligned with users' needs.
- collaboration: collaboration is a key skill in your toolkit as you work as part of a larger team that includes other designers, developers, and stakeholders. You can collaborate effectively with others, receive and provide feedback, and work on designs based on input from others.
- communication: strong communication skills are essential for you to communicate complex design concepts to a wide range of audiences, from developers to stakeholders.
FAQs about working as a UX designer
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a UX designer.
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is India good for UX design?
India was ranked 20th in the world in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index in 2021. The resulting high demand for jobs as UX designers makes the profession an attractive prospect in India.
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are UX designers paid well?
UX designers in India typically earn under the national average at around ₹606,923 per year, though this number can climb as high as ₹20,00,000 per year with experience.
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is UX a stable career?
UX is an in-demand specialism in India, and that demand is growing. There is no reason to doubt the stability of the profession at this time.
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is it too late to learn UX?
UX is a forgiving profession when it comes to education. Employers do not necessarily look for degrees in their UX designers, but rather certifications and experience. Because of this, it is never too late to start learning UX.
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how do I apply for a UX designer vacancy?
Applying for a UX designer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!