What are you looking for

£32,000 Starter

Average salary (a year)

£65,000 Experienced

Average salary (a year)

37 to 39 a week

Typical hours (a week)

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this job

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

University

You could do a higher national diploma, degree or postgraduate award in:

  • UX design
  • product design
  • graphic design
  • human computer interaction (HCI)
  • digital media and web design

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

College

You could do a college course, which may lead on to more advanced qualifications, or help you to get a trainee position with a company.

Courses include:

  • digital media design
  • digital product design
  • T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Digital User Experience (UX) Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

You may also find a Digital Accessibility Specialist Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship useful for this job.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

If you're working in an organisation that conducts user research, you could get work experience by volunteering to help in research sessions and user interviews.

You could also get involved with the online user experience community for advice and tips, and to find a mentor to help you.

Direct Application

You can apply directly to companies or go through an agency that specialises in providing digital design professionals to clients.

You'll need qualifications and relevant experience to do this.

What it takes

Find out what skills you will use in this role

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • design skills and knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • complex problem-solving skills
  • persistence and determination
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

What you will do

Discover the day to day takes you'll do in this role

Day-to-day tasks

As a UX designer you'll:

  • work with user researchers and service designers to understand user needs
  • gather business requirements from project leaders
  • design and test prototype solutions based on user research results
  • write clear specifications and guidelines for developers
  • use data and evidence from follow-up research to refine designs
  • make sure designs meet accessibility standards
  • explain design solutions clearly to stakeholders

Working environment

You could work in an office, from home or at a client's business.

Career path and profession

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities

With experience you could move into a management job and supervise other designers.

You could also move into a development role if you've got experience of programming languages.

You could work freelance as a self-employed contractor for clients.

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