UI Designer
Design the look, feel and visual interactions of digital products - the surface users actually see.
This UK ui designer career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £26,000 - £38,000
- Mid-career salary
- £42,000 - £65,000
- Senior salary
- £70,000 - £100,000+
- Work environment
- Office or remote, collaborative with PMs and engineers
- Time to entry
- 1 - 2 years (portfolio-led)
- Degree required
- Not required - portfolio is everything
- Category
- Design and Creative
What a UI Designer does
Design the look, feel and visual interactions of digital products - the surface users actually see.
- Product UI Designer - Design the visual layer of SaaS and web products.
How to become a UI Designer
- Look up UI Designer roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a UI Designer - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Figma
- Visual hierarchy
- Typography
- Design systems
- Prototyping