UX Design Job Descriptions, Explained

When someone is looking for a new job, one of the most important things to do is research what that position entails. This is especially true for jobs in UX design, as the role can vary quite a bit from company to company. In this article, you will read explanations of responsibilities in a UX design job description. If you are thinking about making a career change into UX design, or if you are just curious about what the role entails, this post is for you!

Qualifications Needed to be a UX Designer

Before we dive into the responsibilities of a UX designer, let’s first take a look at what qualifications are needed to land one of these jobs. It’s important to note while there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, most companies will want you to have some experience in the following skills:

Soft Skills

Important soft skills to have as a UX/UI designer include active listening, open-mindedness, empathy, communication skills, and being adaptable, and giving/receiving feedback are vital to success, especially as a budding designer. Developing and using skills are necessary in the UX field to be successful.

Industry Skills

In UX design, there are more technical skills to be learned that are typically more of a focus than soft skills. You will need to possess knowledge in design patterns and principles, concepts, detail/analysis, wireframing, and prototyping, just to name a few. Knowledge of certain software programs and design tools is a large part of the learning curve in UX design.

Crossover Skills

There are many useful skills to have that aren’t industry-specific. These include, but aren’t limited to: writing, marketing, and graphic design skills.

UX Designers wear many hats. While this article is written for UX design, this list for  UX Engineers proved to be a useful guide highlighting desirable skills in UX despite differences in UX career paths.

What are the responsibilities of a UX Designer?

User Research

One of the main responsibilities of a UX designer is user research. Data collection from researchers, designers, and users is crucial to the overall design process. 

User-centric design humanizes design, whether it be a website, service, or product. Understanding who your users are, what their needs and goals are, and how best to design solutions that meet those needs. User research can vary depending on the project.

Interaction Design

Another key responsibility of a UX designer is interaction design. This involves figuring out how users will interact with the product or service, and designing interfaces that are easy to use and understand. Interaction design also includes creating prototypes and wireframes to help communicate designs to stakeholders. 

“Employers . . . value interaction design because it takes a close look at each touchpoint between a user and a product, providing valuable and specific knowledge about how an experience can be improved. This hyper-focused, detailed feedback can take a good product to the next level.” 

Information Architecture

Information architecture (IA) is the process of organizing and labeling content on a website, app, or product in a way that makes sense to users. As a UX designer, you may be tasked with this responsibility. This can involve creating taxonomies, hierarchies, and wireframes to show how the information will be used.

IA is essential because it is the element of the overall design process that focuses on how information is organized and structured on sites or mobile apps. Effective and well-designed IA is user-centric and enables users to navigate easily and find the information they need.

User Testing

UX designers are also often responsible for user testing. This involves designing and conducting tests to see how users interact with a product or service. The goal of user testing is to find and fix any usability issues before the product or service is released to the public.

Design Thinking

Design thinking is a problem-solving process and one of the foundational responsibilities 

needed in UX design. Design thinking is foundational to UX design. 

How to Spot a Good UX Job Opportunity

Now that you know a little more about what a UX designer does, how do you go about finding good job opportunities? Here are some tips:

• Do your research. Look at job postings and read up on what companies are looking for in a UX designer. 
• Network with people in the UX community. Meeting others in the field can be a great way to learn more about the industry, find job opportunities, and build your network.
• Attend industry events. Conferences and workshops offer a great opportunity to learn, stay up-to-date in the industry, and gain new skills.

Red Flags to Look For When Searching for a UX Job

Just as there are red flags to look for when searching for any job, there are also some red flags to look out for when it comes to UX design jobs. Avoid:

• Job postings that ask for too much or too little experience. If a job posting asks for more than five years of experience, it is likely not an entry-level position. Conversely, if a job posting asks for less than one year of experience, it is likely not a senior-level position.
• Job postings that are vague or incomplete. If a job posting is vague about the responsibilities of the position, it is likely because the company does not have a clear idea of what they are looking for in a UX designer. 
• Job postings that require design experience but do not mention user research or other previously mentioned important qualifications to have.

What to Know if You Don't Meet 100% of the Above Criteria

So, what do you do if you don't meet 100% of the above criteria? Don't worry – there are plenty of ways to get started in UX design. Here are a few tips! Do:

• Start learning the basics of UX design. There are many online and offline courses that can teach you fundamentals. Once you have a basic understanding of the concepts, you can start applying them to your own projects.
• Get involved in the UX community. There are many online and offline groups where you can meet other professionals working in UX design. This can be a great way to learn more about the industry, find job opportunities, and build your network!
• Enroll in a UX design bootcamp like Avocademy! Why choose a bootcamp? UX design bootcamps can teach you everything you need to know about UX design at a fraction of the cost of graduate school. 
• Find a mentor! A good UX bootcamp provides mentoring, alongside education, career-preparedness, and helps you build a portfolio to show off your skills! 

The More You Know

In conclusion, there are many skills and qualifications UX designers possess. By being informed and aware of what employers look for in candidates, you'll be one step closer to finding the perfect position for you. One last tip: you get to interview the company as well! Here are some great questions to ask in your UX design interview.

Now that you know about the key qualifications and responsibilities of a UX designer, give us a call or schedule a free mentoring session today!