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1. UX Design vs. Graphic Design: Choosing the Right
Career Path
User experience design (UX design) and graphic design—these two design-centric
job titles may sound similar. Still, they perform distinct tasks using different skill sets
within the product development process. While graphic designers focus on visual
elements, UX designers focus on the complete interaction between a user and a
product.

2. Inthis article, we’ll go over the difference between UXdesigners and graphic
designers, clarify some other design roles, and discuss how you can make the
transition from graphic design to UX.
Aquickguidetodesignroles
Browse some job boards, and you’ll likely see several roles that include the word
“designer.” To confuse matters further,some hiring managers use some of these
terms interchangeably. But each typically has a specific role to play in the product
development process.Let’s take a quick look at four common design roles.
Graphicdesigner:Graphic designers use color, shapes, images, and fonts to create
visual content for print and digital media. These designs often serveas static, non-
interactive layouts—logos,product packaging,advertisements, signage, brochures,
or displays—usedto communicate with customers.
Visualdesigner:Visual designers typically focus on designing a product or brand
identity that spansmultiple platforms and customer touchpoints.
UIdesigner:Wheregraphic designers create static visual content, user interface (UI)
designers create interactivevisual content. This includes the graphical elements of
apps, websites,and electronic devices that users interact with.

3. UXdesigner:UXdesignersfocus on the interaction between a user and a product,
including how that experience made them feel. This type of design goes beyond the
visual to include information architecture and product prototyping.
UXdesignervs.graphicdesigner:What’sthedifference
Oneof the biggest differences between graphic and UXdesign is the scope. Graphic
designers focus on visual elements. UX designers take a broader perspective by
focusing on the interaction between a userand a product. Graphic design is often
just one part of thebigger user experience.
Typeandfocusofdesign
Graphic designers design visual elements. UX designers design interactions. The
former might involve a specialized set of design-related skills, like color theory,
typography, and computer-aided design. The latter involves a multidisciplinary set
of skills that includesdesign,user research, information architecture, wireframing,
and prototyping.
Graphic designers use visual elements to communicate a brand message. Therefore,
their focus will often be on staying true to their brand identity. UXdesigners

4. advocate for the user,making surea product meets userneeds in a way that is
accessible, intuitive,and enjoyable.
Tasksandresponsibilities
 Withsuch different focuses, UXand graphic designers often spend their time
on different elements of the product development process.
 Day-to-daytasks for a graphic designer might include:
 Collaborating withclients and art directors
 Creating logos, images,and illustrations
 Choosingcolors,images, and fontsfor layouts
 Using digital illustrationtools and photo editing software
Day-to-daytasksforaUXdesignermightinclude:
 Identifyinguserneeds, goals, behaviors, and pain points through user
research
 Creating userpersonas and userjourneymaps

5.  Designing site maps, wireframes,and prototypes
 Validating designs through usertesting and iterating with new featuresor
fixes
 Collaborating with product designers, developers, UIdesigners, and
stakeholders
Toolsandsoftware
Thetools and softwareUX and graphic designers use to complete their tasks also
differ.
Graphic designers might use pen and paper, a tablet and stylus, or a computer at
different stages of the design process. Whileparticular software choices differ from
designer to designer and company to company, many will use illustration apps,
photo editing software, graphic vector editor, and layout editing software.
AUX designer might usea variety of tools for different tasks. Thereare tools
specifically for low and high-fidelity prototyping, flow-charting, building
questionnaires and surveys, wireframing, and usability testing.
GraphicandUXdesigner salary
How much you earn as a graphic or UX designer will depend on several factors,
including your location, education, amount of experience, and industry. But
generally, UXdesignerstend to draw a bigger salary thangraphic designers. Here’s a
look at how three different sources report average or median salaries in the US.
Educational requirements
UX designers and graphic designers might come from different educational
backgrounds as well. Graphic design jobs often require a bachelor’s degree in
graphic design or a related field.
Since UX is a relatively new field, you won’t find as many established degree
programs in UX specifically. Instead, UX designers might get their degrees in
computer science, human-computer interaction,psychology, or design.
As the field of UX continues to grow and evolve, some universities are taking notice
and offering newprograms in userexperience.These might take various titles, like:

6.  Interaction design
 Digital technologies
 Communication design
 Product design
 Multimedia design