We surveyed 3,777 UX designers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical UX designer. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as a UX designer?

Low

High

Working as a UX designer typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that UX designers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.

Can I learn to become a UX designer?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as a UX designer typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.

Is it easy to get a job as a UX designer?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as a UX designer.

Info

Do UX designers work full-time or part-time?

82% of UX designers work in full-time roles while 18% work part-time.

Is being a UX designer stressful?

Low

High

UX designers tend not to find their jobs stressful, which likely contributes positively to career satisfaction.

Is being organized important as a UX designer?

Low

High

Some level of organization is generally required to be a UX designer.

How competitive is the workplace for UX designers?

Low

High

UX designers see mild competition in their workplace.

Does being a UX designer require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for UX designers.

Are UX designers allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Creativity is intrinsic to being a UX designer, and a highly valuable part of the career.

Do UX designers have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally UX designers will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.

Is being a UX designer physically demanding?

Low

High

Work as a UX designers is rarely physically demanding, making it a suitable option for those unable to perform physically strenuous tasks.

Are UX designers exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

While sometimes repetitive, UX designers tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.

Does being a UX designer require attention to detail?

Low

High

As in many careers, attention to detail is quite helpful for UX designers.

Does being a good UX designer require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

Strong compassion and empathy are critical to success as a UX designer.