4 things to freak out about as a UI designer

It’s no secret that the world of tech is rapidly expanding, and that means a massive list of job opportunities that’s constantly growing.

One popular career for creatives is as a UI designer – perfect for those who appreciate the makings of an aesthetically pleasing interface. But there’s more to the job title than you might think. In fact, a UI designer is all about constructing even the tiniest details of content, focusing on where it will go and what it will look like.

As you immerse yourself in the training for this job, you’ll notice yourself paying close attention to the following details.

 Typography

Are you a sucker for type? As a UI Designer your toolbox is full of beautiful stuff like this. Most people can appreciate good type as aesthetically pleasing, but UI Designers cultivate an understanding of typography that goes much deeper than that. You’ll spend your time thinking about how type combinations create and convey personality while establishing a hierarchy of information.

Colour

Colour swatches are fun. As a user interface designer you go beyond simply appreciating nice pairings. You’ll spend a lot of time figuring out how to keep your work crisp and accessible. Get ready to spend tons of time deliberating on which hue of green will give your work maximum impact. If you’re picking up on a usability theme here then that’s great. One way that UI design differentiates itself from other kinds of visual art is a focus on usability.

Copy

This sometimes goes under-appreciated in the design world but using the right words is an important part of crafting usable products. You don’t need to be an amazing writer, but words are important and you shouldn’t ignore them. Using clear, unadorned, straightforward language can go a long way towards creating a usable product. Make sure you are using correct spelling and grammar. Even the most beautiful designs can be derailed by basic copy mistakes.

Shape and Size

Using spacing, variation, and repetition sounds pretty simple at first. They’re concepts that might seem incredibly basic now but become super important when you’re planning how to use the limited space afforded to you by a cell phone screen. Figuring out what you need to display, how much space it needs to take up on screen, and how to make the things you need to stand out stand out are a UI designer’s bread and butter.

And remember: The devil is in the details. A UI designer should be too.

If you’re interested in learning more about UI design, swing by BrainStation for classes and workshops. Brainstation is a tech institute that offers a guided and digestible curriculum that makes it easier to master the skills you need for your dream career in tech. Check out their upcoming part-time course on User Interface Design.