Have you ever given up on using an app because it was too confusing? Or navigated a website so intuitive it felt like it could “read your mind”? Those feelings—good or bad—don’t happen by chance. They’re carefully crafted. And behind those experiences is a professional increasingly in demand: the UX/UI Designer.
In a world dominated by screens, clicks, and digital interactions, user experience has become a crucial competitive advantage. Companies that invest in usability, accessibility, and well-designed interfaces don’t just gain customers—they build loyal fans. And for that, they rely on UX (User Experience) and UI (User Interface) specialists.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- What a UX/UI Designer does and the difference between UX and UI
- Why this profession is one of the most sought-after today
- How much these professionals earn and where the best opportunities are
- Essential tools and skills to work in the field
- How to start from scratch, even without a design degree
- The trends shaping the future of this career
1. What Does a UX/UI Designer Do?
Although often mentioned together, UX and UI are not the same thing:
| Discipline | Focus | Key Deliverables |
|---|---|---|
| UX Design | The full user experience | User research, personas, user journeys, wireframes, usability testing |
| UI Design | Visual and interactive layer | Screen layouts, colors, typography, icons, high-fidelity prototypes |
In many companies, especially smaller teams, one professional often handles both roles.
Key responsibilities:
- Research user behavior
- Map user journeys and create personas
- Prototype solutions (wireframes and interfaces)
- Test functionality before launch
- Ensure smooth, accessible navigation
- Collaborate with developers and product managers
Analogy: If a website were a restaurant, UX would design the path to the table and how the menu is organized; UI would choose the plates, ambient colors, and background music.
2. Why Is UX/UI Design on the Rise?
Between two apps with the same function, the one that’s easier and more pleasant to use will win. That’s why companies prioritize user experience from the very first click.
Key drivers of growth:
- Explosion of startups and digital products
- Rise of mobile-first interfaces (apps, wearables, PWAs)
- Digitization of public services, healthcare, and education
- Adoption of user-centric agile methodologies
- Higher retention and loyalty from well-designed products
Companies that neglect UX/UI lose users, reputation, and revenue. Those that invest see better conversion, engagement, and loyalty.
3. How Much Does a UX/UI Designer Earn in Brazil?
Salary depends on experience, tool proficiency, portfolio strength, and work with digital products.
| Level | Monthly Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | R$ 3,500 – R$ 5,500 | Works under supervision |
| Mid | R$ 6,000 – R$ 9,000 | Leads parts of the project |
| Senior | R$ 10,000 – R$ 16,000+ | Advanced research & strategy |
| Remote (International) | US$ 2,000 – US$ 5,500 | English portfolio is a must |
Tip: Designers who communicate well with developers and create functional prototypes in Figma stand out quickly.
4. Essential Skills and Tools
Hard Skills:
- Design & Prototyping: Figma (industry standard), Adobe XD, Sketch, Framer
- Collaboration & Mapping: Notion, Miro
- Research & Metrics: Google Analytics, Hotjar, A/B testing
- UX Writing: microcopy that guides the user
- Accessibility (a11y): WCAG guidelines, color contrast, keyboard navigation
Soft Skills:
- Empathy and active listening
- Critical and creative thinking
- Team communication across disciplines
- Ability to iterate quickly based on feedback
5. How to Start a UX/UI Career from Scratch
Practical roadmap for beginners:
Study the fundamentals
- User-centered design, heuristics, accessibility
- Read: Don’t Make Me Think (Steve Krug), The Design of Everyday Things (Don Norman)
Learn Figma
- Take official tutorials or courses on platforms like Alura, Origamid, or Coursera
- Practice designing login screens, onboarding flows, dashboards
Redesign existing interfaces
- Recreate popular apps (e.g., iFood, Spotify) and suggest improvements
- Document your thought process
Build a portfolio
- Use Behance, Notion, or your own site
- Show your process: problem → research → solution
Join the community
- Participate in design challenges, hackathons, or groups like UX Collective BR
- Network on LinkedIn with professionals in the field
Apply and learn from feedback
- Look for internships, junior positions, or freelance projects
- Each interview refines your market understanding
6. Trends in UX/UI Design
- Emotional Design — microinteractions and visual storytelling to build emotional connection
- AI-driven personalization — interfaces that adapt in real-time
- Accessibility as standard — inclusion is no longer optional
- Voice UX & Conversational Interfaces — flows for voice assistants and chatbots
- DesignOps — processes and documentation aligning design with development
Conclusion
Being a UX/UI Designer is more than making pretty screens. It’s about understanding people, solving problems, and making technology feel intuitive and human. If you love observing behavior, crafting solutions, and improving daily interactions, this could be your career.
Practical challenge: Pick an app you use frequently and redesign a screen that feels confusing. Explain your rationale and share it on LinkedIn or Behance. That’s how your portfolio starts to come alive.
Liked this article? Share it with someone who loves design, psychology, or is searching for a creative, fast-growing field.
