There’s a famous tech industry tale
about how Apple beat Microsoft in 2006
Back then, Bill Gates’s corporation introduced the Zune music player and software to compete with the iPod. Although rich in features, Zune failed – as experts reckon because of its complex UI that couldn’t compete with the simplicity of Apple’s design.
This story once again indicates how crucial UI is for digital products. Whether you are building software, app or website efficient UI can
bring you increased customer engagement, enhanced user experience, lower development
costs.
But for this to happen you need
to hire a UI designer that perfectly meets your needs. How do you find
them? Read on to find out.
Who is a UI designer?
The UI designer is an expert who creates interfaces for apps, software, and websites. (There are UI experts who work on machines and devices but this is a topic for a separate discussion.)
By definition, the UI designer is in charge of the visual elements of a product, such as buttons, icons, images, typography, etc.
However, since UI is a part and parcel of UX (user experience), the interaction design often falls on the shoulders of the UI designer. In this case, UX and UI designer roles lump together in a single term – a UX/UI designer.
At the same time, UI and UX can work independently, collaborating with each other. For example, you might have prototypes for your app created by the UX designer, and assign a UI designer with the task of creating the visual elements.
The UI designer is an expert who creates interfaces for apps, software,
and websites. (There are UI experts who work on machines and devices but this is a topic for a separate discussion.)
By definition, the UI designer is in charge of the visual elements
of a product, such as buttons, icons, images, typography, etc.
However, since UI is a part and parcel of UX (user experience), the interaction design often falls on the shoulders of the UI designer. In this case, UX and UI designer roles lump together in a single term – a UX/UI designer.
At the same time, UI and UX can work independently, collaborating with each other. For example, you might have prototypes for your app created
by the UX designer, and assign a UI designer with the task of creating
the visual elements.
The UI designer is an expert who creates interfaces for apps, software, and websites. (There are UI experts who work on machines and devices but this is a topic for
a separate discussion.)
By definition, the UI designer is in charge of the visual elements of a
product, such as buttons, icons, images, typography, etc.
However, since UI is a part and parcel of UX (user experience),
the interaction design often falls
on the shoulders of the UI designer. In this case, UX and UI designer roles lump together in a single term
– a UX/UI designer.
At the same time, UI and UX can work independently, collaborating with each other. For example, you might have prototypes for your app created by the UX designer, and assign a UI designer with the task of creating the visual elements.
What can a UI designer do for you?
A UI designer is exactly who you need to create a digital interface for your product. Whether it’s
a website or an app, UI designers can help you with
- • Visual design and components
- • Branding
- • Animation and interactive elements
- • UI prototyping
The visual components UI designers work on usually include
- • Images and media (including logos and iconography)
- • Color and layouts
- • Typography (headings, subheadings, etc.)
- • Text elements (lead-ins, paragraphs, etc.)
- • Lists and forms (text inputs, select menus, etc.)
In addition, UI designers’ responsibility is to coordinate
their work with developers
and UX designers if necessary,
as well as testing and iterating
their solutions.
If a UI designer takes on some work on the UX, their responsibilities might include
- • User research
- • Information architecture design
- • Prototyping and wireframing
In this case, however, their
role changes to one of the
UX/UI designer.
A UI designer is exactly who you need to create a digital interface for your product. Whether it’s a website or an app, UI designers can help you with
- • Visual design and components
- • Branding
- • Animation and interactive elements
- • UI prototyping
The visual components UI designers work on usually include
- • Images and media (including logos and iconography)
- • Color and layouts
- • Typography (headings, subheadings, etc.)
- • Text elements (lead-ins, paragraphs, etc.)
- • Lists and forms (text inputs, select menus, etc.)
In addition, UI designers’ responsibility is to coordinate their work with developers
and UX designers if necessary, as well as testing and iterating their solutions.
If a UI designer takes on some work on the UX, their responsibilities might include
- • User research
- • Information architecture design
- • Prototyping and wireframing
In this case, however, their role changes to one of the UX/UI designer.
UI designer skillset
7 hard skills
1. Responsive interface design
A skillful UI designer knows the ropes when it comes to relative sizing units, media queries, and other concepts that help build a responsive design for a digital product. Their solution should respond to the user’s behavior and the environment – no matter the screen size, its orientation, or platform.
2. Layout grids
Grids help designers control the structure of layouts, thus achieving effective hierarchy, consistency, and alignment. UI designers need to know the basics of grid theory, grids types, best practices of layout grids, and how to use them in interactive design.
3. Visual hierarchy
An expert UI designer smartly operates the principles like contrast, balance, and scale to put each visual component in its rightful place. This allows the most crucial elements to stand out and influence the users, enriching their experience.
4. Typography
UI designers should know and properly use different categories of typefaces and typographic elements. If they can select the right font, size, color, layout, alignment, etc. they can grab the viewer's attention, build brand recognition, establishing the value
and tone of a brand.
5. Animation
From scrolling a list of items to opening the side menu – animations are an integral part of interfaces, so creating them is of the essence. A UI designer needs to know and be able to apply different animation concepts.
6. Visual communication
Visual communication is a skill that requires systematic application of the expertise mentioned in previous paragraphs. It involves an understanding of layout, color, typography, icons, images, design theory, and more.
7. Testing
Like any endeavor in building a digital product, UI design efforts should be tested, and the solution must be iterated, according to the results of those tests. The UI designer should be sensitive to the feedback they receive and know how to make necessary changes fast.
Moreover, UI designers should
- • Understand key UI principles (such as clarity, user-centered design, consistency, etc.)
- • Keep up with design trends
- • Know design tools (Sketch, Figma, Balsamiq, etc.)
- • Have basic knowledge of software and/or website development.
If engaged in the UX tasks, they should also know the ropes when it comes to
- • Wireframing and prototyping
- • Information architecture
- • Interaction design and coding
3 soft skills
Here are the soft skills that of the utmost importance for the UI designer
1. User empathy
User empathy is about trying to see a user's perspective on the product. UI designers should be able to identify with them and represent them when making decisions on visual design.
2. Curiosity
Curiosity is precious not only by itself but also because it broadens the range of possibilities UI designers might dive into when developing and arranging visual components.
3. Communication
For a designer, being a good communicator in a product team means being a good listener, working well with cross-functional teams, and expressing their thoughts and intentions clearly.
One of the ways to find out whether a potential candidate has the necessary skills mentioned above is to ask them the right questions.
UI designer interview questions
If you have an opportunity to interview a UI designer, it’s a good idea to start with a common icebreaker question, like:
- • Can you tell me about yourself?
-
It will allow you to assess their communication skills and understand their career trajectory.
Looking at their portfolio, you can ask some questions about their creative approach, routine, or achievements. For example:
- • Could you describe the UI design process the way you see it?
- • What tools do you use in your work?
- • What project do you consider as your biggest accomplishment?
To assess their competency – be it a junior or senior UI designer – you can ask:
- • In your opinion, what are the main principles of user interface design?
- • Could you name the UI frameworks and technologies you use?
- • How do you implement a design pattern library?
-
- Some questions on communication and decision-making also could be useful:
-
- • How do you see your collaboration with UX designers and developers?
- • How do you decide which features to add to a project?
To conclude the interview, you might use some common and general questions that might help you make the final decision, like:
- • Why should we hire you?
If you want to dive deep into the topic of the UI designer interview, get a special handout on the issue. Fill in the form below to get our free guide.
Remote or in-house?
Both cooperation forms – in-house or remote – have their pros and cons.
Consider hiring in-house if you have a long-term project or continuous workload.
It’s common to think that the main advantage of in-house collaboration is easier communication and management. However, the pandemic times proved that remote collaboration can be even more effective. Moreover, you might not have many candidates to choose from if you go online and google “UI designer near me.”
Meanwhile, remote hiring allows you to tap into larger and more diverse talent pools. Enjoy hiring a super talented UI designer no matter where they reside. Just be sure
to foster collaboration through streamlined technology, so your workflow is smooth.
An app like Awesomic can help you do this, as it offers you customer success services available 24/7.
Both cooperation forms – in-house or remote – have their pros and cons.
Consider hiring in-house if you have a long-term project or continuous workload. It’s common to think that the main advantage of in-house collaboration is easier communication and management. However, the pandemic times proved that remote collaboration can be even more effective. Moreover, you might not have many candidates to choose from if you go online and google “UI designer near me.”
Meanwhile, remote hiring allows you to tap into larger and more diverse talent pools. Enjoy hiring a super talented UI designer no matter where they reside. Just be sureto foster collaboration through streamlined technology, so your workflow is smooth. An app like Awesomic can help you do this, as it offers you customer success services available 24/7.
What is the average salary of a UI designer?
What is the
average salary
of a UI designer?
When it comes to hiring a UI designer, the market of candidates is extremely versatile. Their wages depend on their experience, skillset, the platform they work at, etc.
Moreover, their wages depend on the country they reside in. Here is the approximate range of numbers of freelance UI designers per hour:
When it comes to hiring a UI designer, the market of candidates is extremely versatile. Their wages depend on their experience, skillset,
the platform they work at, etc.
Moreover, their wages depend on the country they reside in. Here is the approximate range of numbers of freelance UI designers per hour:
Country
Hourly rate, USD
In case you are interested in yearly wages, the average salary for a User Interface Designer in the US is $64896 (according to Payscale)
Top 5 places to hire the UI designer
Here are the top 5 places to find UI designers.
Awesomic
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Awesomic matches you with the best-fit designer at a flat monthly rate and guarantees a 24-hour turnaround. The service has a wide talent pool and includes free customer success manager support.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Fiverr
Fiver is a widely-known online marketplace for finding freelancers. It has a “Graphics and design” section where you can find website and app designers. Every service on Fiverr is called a 'Gig.' When creating their gigs, designers choose their starting price point.
Advantages
Disadvantages
99designs
99designs is a graphic design platform by Vistaprint. You can either search for designers reviewing their portfolio and request quotes, or you can open your brief to the design community. Designers submit their ideas to you and you are choosing the one you like.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Behance
Behance is a social media network for experts in different creative fields, including UX/UI design. Designers can showcase their artwork and portfolio on the platform.
You can message them directly but, of course, there is no guarantee they are open for cooperation. To find a potential candidate, you can post your job on the platform
Advantages
Disadvantages
resource-consuming. Public posts average over 150 applications so whittling down the right candidates to a shortlist can be challenging.
Dribble
Dribble is an online platform to find and showcase creative work. It’s very similar to Behance but with a focus on graphic design.
You can look for either a full-time designer (remote or onsite), individual designer, or agency using search and filtering functions. You can also post your job on Dribble. Both services purchased together cost $499 monthly.
Advantages
(but not more than one project a month)
Disadvantages
resource-consuming. The listings receive an average of 1.1K targeted clicks per month. Imagine selecting the candidates from at least hundreds
that apply.
Conclusion
The best place to find a UI designer depends on the goals and resources you have. When you identified the need, choose the form of collaboration – remote or in-house.
You can utilize a freelance website (like Fiverr) or a social networking platform (like Behance or Dribble). As an option, however, you can choose a design subscription service app.
If you don’t want to spend time and money on hiring the expert
yourself, Awesomic the will match you with a perfect designer in a jiff.
