Why mobile UX / UI design is a good career path
Are you considering what it would be like to work in a UX / UI design job? Maybe you’re just starting to think about what you’d like to do after school. Or perhaps you want to change careers and pivot into something more creative? A mobile design role could be right up your alley.
Since 2008, smartphone apps have become a massive part of our culture. We use them for almost everything in our personal and professional lives. Excellent design is one of the biggest reasons they’ve made such a massive impact on the world.
User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) are two of the most important parts of mobile design. These disciplines ensure that our experiences and interactions with applications are fun, engaging, interesting, and valuable.
Working at a mobile design agency is one of the most fulfilling and exciting jobs out there. You get to build products that empower people to do so many things, like online banking, chatting to friends, games, shopping, ordering food, dating, health and fitness. The list is endless.
But what are the benefits of UX/UI design jobs? Let’s explore why it’s such a great career for young people and anyone wanting to move jobs.
1. High salaries
Finding your calling is all well and good, but we’ve all got to put a roof over our heads. One of the best things about a UX / UI design job is that it pays very well.
The average UX / UI design job salary in Australia is over $100,000. The main reason for this market demand. Design jobs have grown in recent years because everyone wants apps, and there are just not enough UX / UI designers to fill all the roles.
Working in a mobile design role is challenging and can involve long hours. But when you are being adequately compensated, it’s well worth it.
With entry-level positions starting at as much as $90,000 and more seasoned roles fetching around $140,000, a UX/UI design job is an excellent choice for securing your future.
2. A UX / UI design job is future proof
Speaking of the future, things are looking pretty good for the mobile design industry. In the first quarter of 2022, mobile users downloaded 28.3 billion apps from Google Play and 8.5 billion from the App Store. Additionally, there were about 3.6 billion smartphone users in 2016; today, it’s about 6.5 billion and growing.
The mobile industry is booming and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. As our economies become increasingly digital, most businesses that want to survive need an app.
A UX / UI design job is a safe bet for the future. Smartphones and other internet devices are here to stay, and people need someone to design all the cool apps that power these devices and make them so popular.
Statistics suggest the demand for UX / UI design will grow about 13% year over year. Products are becoming more people-centred, and UX/UI is right at the heart of that change.
3. Lots of great workplaces and cultures
You can find a UX / UI design job at almost any type of company. If you want to work at a big multinational, they need help with their products. Or, if a small boutique mobile app development business is more your speed, there are plenty of opportunities there too.
Of course, it’s not just the diversity of size that makes finding a mobile design role so good. There are many great things about the type of companies that design apps and products.
The tech industry is relatively young compared to other businesses. A lot of good jobs like law and finance are very well established. As a result, they’re pretty traditional.
Tech doesn’t have that problem. Many of the companies are still run by their founders, who are people with a vision.
As we’ve seen regularly, that vision extends beyond the product. It’s also about creating a different type of workplace. Tech companies have been some of the most progressive businesses in recent years across various issues, like diversity and inclusion.
The high demand for tech workers means leaders are building great cultures to attract and retain staff. Flexible hours, career development, excellent benefits, and an emphasis on work-life balance are just a few of the values that the best companies promote.
4. Meaningful work
The best (and most successful) products are built to solve problems. We all have things — both big and small — that get in the way of our goals and ambitions. A great product looks at these pain points and finds a way to make our lives a little easier.
User experience design, at its core, is about people. It’s about designing the type of products that users actually want. UX makes products intuitive and easy to navigate. It unlocks their value to people and helps them solve their problems.
Who wouldn’t want to work on projects that make the world a better place? A mobile design role is a chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others by giving them tools they can use to save money and time or achieve things they otherwise couldn’t.
Excellent design makes technology accessible and more inclusive. Instead of powerful apps being only helpful to tech-savvy people, the best UX/UI design allows anyone to harness the power of smartphones. That’s a really positive thing to be part of.
5. It’s accessible
In many ways, tech is one of the most egalitarian industries. Getting a UX / UI design job generally depends on what you can do rather than your credentials or experience.
For such a well-paid and interesting job, UX / UI design has relatively low barriers to entry. That’s great news for someone who wants to change careers but just doesn’t have the time or money to do a three or four years course.
While it’s not true for every business, workers can often land a mobile design role based on a killer portfolio. Even a boot camp or a short evening course can be enough to get your foot in the door.
From there, it’s about adding experience to your resume and progressing.
6. Flexibility
You can do a UX/UI design job from almost anywhere. If remote working is your thing, many companies are happy to accommodate a more flexible approach. Again, part of this is due to demand. Tech companies struggling to fill vacancies have been forced to cast a wider net, opening up opportunities to people outside traditional markets.
You can probably find a mobile design role if you have a laptop and a stable internet connection. This situation means you don’t have to live in a busy city if you don’t want to. Additionally, design jobs are in demand all over the world. So, if you wish to experience life abroad, that’s an option too.
Wrap up
A UX / UI design job is a superb option if you’re looking for a well-paid, creative, and satisfying career. The market is growing all the time, and demand for jobs is high in both Australia and across the globe.
Investing in a mobile design course is a smart move. These jobs are here to stay, and there’s so much opportunity to work at great companies doing exciting work.
Cover image design by ui/ux