UI Designer
THE HELMSMAN OF NAVIGATION
In short, the UI Designer takes care of clear navigation and at the same time responds to the brand identity.
UI DESIGNER'S MISSIONS & PROFESSION
If the UX Designer is concerned with the user experience, the UI designer works on the visual appearance and rendering of an interface. He deals with the link between machine and man.
When the UX Designer focuses on what the user feels, the UI Designer focuses on what the user sees, that is to say the front-end of the design.
He / she is only interested in the attractiveness of an interface, but his / her role is not limited to making attractive mock-ups or even colouring wireframes. His / her role is obviously to represent the interface elements and their interactions in a visual way.
He / she is responsible for the production of the visual mock-ups, of the style guidelines (details of the visual components of the interfaces) and ensures that the developers implement the graphic standards. The UI designer can work on many different terminals: computer, smartphone, tablet, connected television, interactive terminal...
REQUIRED QUALITIES & SKILLS
UI Designers are creative people with a strong potential for imagination, but they are also technicians and programmers.
They have a good knowledge of HTML and CMS techniques, and experience in wireframing, interface screenwriting as well as web design is necessary.
The UI designer masters several creative software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, as well as the implementation of responsive interfaces.
He / she must be curious and have a very pronounced taste for new technologies.
Some experience in project management and general knowledge of the web will be valuable assets in the achievement of his / her projects. UI designers must also have an aptitude for psychology and sociology.
CAREERS & ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
In order to become a UI designer, it is best to obtain a degree in digital art, graphic design, computer graphics, computer science and multimedia.
It is possible, for example, to follow a Bachelor's degree in graphic design, with an option in communication and digital media.
Although the profession is quite new, which makes it difficult to define a career plan, it is fair to say that companies are increasingly calling on UI designers. There are therefore many opportunities for the most talented.
A junior UI designer can earn 2,500€ per month. After a few years of experience, the expected salary may fluctuate from 3,000€ to 3,500€ per month. This interface designer can evolve over time towards positions of IT architect or project manager.