What is UI design?
Written by: Thomas Broderick, Edited by: Rebecca Munday
Published: May 12, 2025
Have you ever visited a website and felt that something looked wrong? Maybe the text was too small, or the links were difficult to locate. These and other frustrations suggest poor user interface (UI) design.
Poor UI design can significantly impact a business's success. Over 80% of users do not return to a website if they have a bad experience navigating or using it, according to an Online Marketing Institute survey. The same survey found that poor UI may lower a business's sales by as much as 50%.
Mastering UI design skills can open up new, in-demand job opportunities. Learn about UI design and explore potential career paths.
What is UI design?
UI design refers to a website or app's graphic and visual elements, such as layout, font, and color palate. Designers consider the end user's experience when making each of these decisions. They use different types of software, such as semantic UI, to choose and place elements.
UI designers often collaborate with user experience (UX) designers. UX designers prototype websites and apps, ensuring the final product meets user needs.
UI design skills
UI designers need strong visual communication skills. The best UI designers can create subtle visual cues, build website color palettes, and choose style-aligned fonts that point users toward a checkout page or other content. As a result, users know what to do much faster.
Like other professionals, UI designers also need soft skills, such as flexibility and communication. These are essential, as UX designers may suggest extensive revisions, so UI designers must know how to receive feedback and apply it effectively.
Where is UI design used?
UI design is used everywhere. Every website you visit and app you use contains UI design elements.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that 26% of web and digital interface designers work in the computer systems design, retail trade, and finance and insurance industries. Accessible UI design can help businesses:
- Increase customer confidence
- Differentiate their business from others
- Lower customer conversion costs
- Reduce customer dissatisfaction
- Lower website or app development times
These benefits may contribute to the demand for web and digital interface designers. The BLS projects the profession to grow by 8% between 2023–33.
UI design career paths
Entry-level careers in UI design
Entry-level careers in UI design may require a degree, college certificate, or professional certification. Typical responsibilities include collaborating with UX designers and engineers, maintaining consistency across websites or apps, and developing UI standards for other designers to follow. Some roles may let you work 100% remotely.
Mid-level careers in UI design
Professionals with 3–6 years of experience can start exploring mid-level UI design careers. Although employers may not require a specific degree or certification, they want you to know UX fundamentals so you can work in both areas. Other responsibilities at this level may include performing research into UI best practices.
Senior-level careers in UI design
Senior-level UI designers offer employers advanced UI/UX design skills and an outstanding portfolio. Jobs may require mastery of Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and other software. Senior-level roles involve collaboration with marketing and product teams to ensure the final product meets user expectations and needs.