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Career Profile

UX designer

UX designers research what users need, and design apps, websites and products that are easy, useful and enjoyable to use.
Creative and MediaIT and Digital
Average weekly salary
$1500
Future demand
Strong
Most common education level
Bachelor degree

What does a UX designer do?

A UX designer, or user experience designer, designs apps, websites and digital products so they are easy, useful and enjoyable to use. They research what users need, map out how people move through a product, and create wireframes and prototypes that they test and refine. The goal is to line up what users need with what the business wants, and to remove friction along the way. UX design is research, design and problem-solving rather than visual styling alone. 

UX designers work in software and technology companies, digital and marketing agencies, banks, telecommunications, media, and government digital teams. The role is studio or office based and increasingly remote, working alongside developers, product managers and researchers. 

Is a career as a UX designer right for me?

A career in UX design may suit you if you are curious about people and their behaviour, enjoy problem-solving, and like designing things that work well. You need creativity, empathy for users, and the ability to research, test and improve your designs. 

Other skills beneficial in this profession include:

Analytical thinking
An ability to analyse and interpret information.
Communication
Clear written and verbal communication skills, supported by strong interpersonal skills.
Creativity and innovation
Creative expression, storytelling and original thinking.
Digital and technical capability
Proficiency in using technology, digital tools, and relevant software.
Teamwork
An ability to work effectively and collaborate with a range of stakeholders.

Problem-solving and decision-making
The ability to identify issues, evaluate options, and make informed decisions.

Industry knowledge
A sound awareness and understanding of industry and trends.

How to become UX designer

Most UX designers hold a degree in design, digital design, information technology or a related field, and build a portfolio of design work. Employers want to see how you think and design, so a portfolio built through study, projects and real briefs matters as much as the degree. 

Every journey is individual, and there are several paths into UX design. Here is one pathway to becoming a UX designer:

  1. Complete a degree in design, digital design, information technology or a related field.
  2. Build skills in user research, wireframing and prototyping.
  3. Learn the tools the industry uses, such as Figma, Unity and Python.
  4. Develop a portfolio of UX design work you can talk through.
  5. Gain experience through internships, projects or entry level roles.

How long does it take to become a UX designer?

A bachelor degree in digital design takes three years of full-time study, or longer if you study part-time. During the degree you build UX and interaction design skills and a portfolio of work. 

Many people start taking on projects and building their portfolio while studying, then move into a UX role after graduating. How quickly you progress depends on the strength of your portfolio and your experience. 

Start your journey with UniSQ

Build the research and design skills for a UX career with UniSQ's design or IT degrees and develop the creative, technical, and problem-solving skills needed to design user-centred digital experiences.

Bachelor of Digital Design
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Information Technology degrees
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Responsibilities and work settings

Day-to-day responsibilities

Conducting user research and creating user flows and personas.

Creating wireframes, prototypes and interface designs.

Running design and usability testing with users.

Turning research findings into design solutions.

Checking designs are accessible and meet user and business needs.

Where you might work

Banks and financial institutions

Data analytics and artificial intelligence organisations

Digital business and marketing agencies

Government agencies, departments and councils

Media, publishing and broadcasting organisations

Software development and technology companies

Telecommunications providers

UX designer

The pay for UX designers varies with experience, employer and location. Check the top of this page for an estimated average salary. Experienced UX designers and product designers commonly earn well above this.

Most UX designers hold a degree in design, digital design, information technology or a related field. There is no single mandatory qualification, so a strong portfolio of UX work, and skills in tools such as Figma, matter as much as the degree.

A graphic designer focuses on visual communication, such as branding and layout. A UX designer focuses on how people experience a digital product, using research, wireframes and testing to make it easy and useful. The roles overlap, and some designers do both.

UX design is growing as more organisations build digital products. It suits people who are curious about users and enjoy problem-solving and design. A UniSQ Bachelor of Digital Design with the Interaction Design major builds the skills and portfolio to get started.

Day to day, a UX designer might research user needs, map out user journeys, create wireframes and prototypes, test designs with users, and refine them. The work balances research, design and collaboration with developers and product teams.

Related careers

Web designer
Web developer
Graphic designer

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Disclaimer: UniSQ’s Career Finder is a guide only. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, career information may change over time. Career statistics are sourced from Your Career and Jobs and Skills Australia. © Commonwealth of Australia. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Salary figures listed on this page are in Australian Dollars (AUD).