Who is a UX/UI designer, what do they do, and what do you need to know to get this profession.

The work of a designer is incredibly popular and promising. That is why it is worth understanding what they do and who they actually are. Although the profession seems simple on the surface, in reality, it is quite complex, and the specialist must constantly work on acquiring new knowledge. 

Overall, this is a fairly popular profession with high competition. There are many specialists in the market, and they all have different skills. Thus, what they do is quite a conditional concept, just like where and how one can learn. 

Who is a UX/UI designer?

Everything always starts with theory. Before understanding what they do, it is worth knowing who this specialist is in general. After all, a UX/UI designer is one of the most in-demand professions in the digital technology field, combining creativity, analytics, and user interaction. 

In 2025, this profession continues to gain popularity in Ukraine due to the development of the IT sector, increasing digitalization of business, and heightened focus on user experience. UX/UI designers create convenient, aesthetically pleasing, and effective interfaces that help users interact with products as simply and comfortably as possible.

Moreover, a UX/UI designer is a specialist who develops interfaces for websites, mobile applications, software, and other digital products. Their main goal is to make user interaction with the product intuitive, effective, and pleasant. 

UX (User Experience) is responsible for usability, product logic, and the overall experience of user interaction. UI (User Interface) includes the visual component, such as colors, buttons, typography, and graphical elements that provide interface appeal.

The difference between UX and UI

It is worth immediately defining the difference between these designers. Many confuse these concepts; however, UX and UI are two different but interconnected components of design.

Let's start with the fact that UX design focuses on user experience, behavior analysis, developing user-friendly navigation, testing prototypes, and optimizing product functionality. In turn, UI design is responsible for visual style, color choices, icons, fonts, animations, layouts, and other elements that form the overall appearance of the interface. A good UI without quality UX can look appealing but be uncomfortable to use. On the other hand, a convenient UX without a good UI can leave the user dissatisfied due to the unaesthetic appearance of the product.

However, such a difference is only necessary for those who are already choosing a direction in their studies. For those who are only superficially interested, there is no significant difference. 

What does a UX/UI designer do?

After understanding the difference in this profession, it is worth learning about all the responsibilities of such a professional. They can be quite diverse. 

The responsibilities of a UX/UI designer encompass a wide range of tasks, including:

• User research – studying audience needs, conducting surveys, analyzing user behavior, and competitive environment.

• Creating prototypes and wireframes – developing interface sketches, creating layouts and interactive prototypes.

• Testing the product – conducting usability tests, identifying problem areas, and improving design.

• Developing interface design – choosing a color palette, icons, buttons, fonts, and creating adaptive versions.

• Interacting with developers – preparing a design system, handing over layouts to be developed, and controlling their implementation.

• Analysis and optimization – analyzing interface performance after launch, gathering feedback, and making improvements.

This means that such a designer may have a lot of work, and attention must be paid to all of it. 

What do you need to know and what are the responsibilities of a UX/UI designer?

Designers of this type have a very large area of responsibility. They need to be prepared for this right away. Thus, to become a UX/UI designer in 2025 in Ukraine, it is necessary to possess the following knowledge and skills:

Technical skills:

• Proficiency in design tools: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Photoshop, Illustrator.

• Knowledge of UX/UI principles: information hierarchy, composition, responsive design.

• Prototyping and testing: creating interactive prototypes, testing with users.

• Basics of HTML and CSS: for better understanding of developers' work.

• Working with design systems: creating guidelines and UI kits.

Do not forget about personal skills:

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Communication skills for teamwork.

• Creativity and attention to detail.

• Flexibility and readiness for continuous learning.

Additional requirements in 2025 in Ukraine (a few important nuances):

• Knowledge of design trends and current UX/UI requirements.

• Proficiency in English at a level sufficient to work with international clients.

• Understanding the principles of accessibility for inclusive design.

• Experience working with AI tools for design automation and research.

These responsibilities increase the chances of earning much more than a beginner. 

How to become a UX/UI designer in Ukraine?

Next, it is worth understanding how to learn to become such a specialist. Here are some options: 

• Take a course – you can choose online courses, self-study, or university programs.

• Create a portfolio – develop a few projects, even if they will be conceptual.