How to become a UX/UI designer — path and salary
How to become a UX/UI designer is a question more and more people ask when looking for a career that blends creativity, psychology and technology. The good news: there's no single "correct" path into this profession — UX/UI designers come from graphic design studies as well as psychology, computer science, or online courses.
What's the difference between UX and UI
These are two related but distinct areas:
- UX (User Experience) — researching user needs, designing app flows, usability testing, information architecture.
- UI (User Interface) — the visual layer: layout, colors, typography, design systems.
In smaller companies, one person often covers both areas (the so-called UX/UI designer), while in larger teams these roles are split.
Which studies or courses to choose
There are several paths, and none is the only right one:
- Design studies — industrial design, graphic design, interior architecture with UX elements, at art schools or technical universities.
- Psychology or cognitive science — a strong basis for understanding user behaviour, usually complemented with tool-focused courses (Figma, UX research).
- Computer science / software engineering — useful if you want to work closely with developers or focus on UX in technical products.
- UX/UI courses and bootcamps — the fastest route to a first job, usually 3–9 months, focused on building a portfolio.
Regardless of the path, employers in this field look above all at your portfolio — a set of projects showing your thinking process, not just the final result.
How to build a first portfolio without experience
Lack of work experience is the most common worry for people entering the field. In practice, a solid starting portfolio can be built on non-commercial projects: a redesign of an existing app, a design-challenge entry, a case study based on a fictional brief, or pro-bono work with a local nonprofit. What matters more than the number of projects is showing your process — from user research, through wireframes, to the final visual design and the reasoning behind your decisions. Recruiters in this field value transparency of thinking more than the polish of the final screen.
How much does a UX/UI designer earn in Poland
UX/UI design salaries grow with experience and company size. Below are approximate ranges based on market data (wynagrodzenia.pl, 2025/2026 industry reports):
| Experience level | Approximate gross salary/month |
|---|---|
| Junior (0–2 years) | PLN 5,500–8,000 |
| Mid (2–5 years) | PLN 8,500–13,000 |
| Senior (5+ years) | PLN 13,000–20,000+ |
| Lead / UX Manager | PLN 18,000–28,000+ |
These are approximate ranges — a lot depends on whether you work at a Polish product company, an international corporation, or freelance. Worth comparing this career to other tech paths, described in our article on IT degree courses.
A day in the life of a UX/UI designer
Everyday work in this profession is much more than "drawing screens." A typical week usually includes: workshops with the product team, analyzing user behavior data, designing mockups in tools like Figma, running or participating in usability tests, and presenting and justifying design decisions to developers and product managers. People who feel comfortable in roles combining creativity with communication across different teams tend to thrive in this career.
UX/UI and remote work
This is one of the professions best suited to remote work — design tools (Figma, Miro) run fully in the cloud, and user testing increasingly happens online. Many Polish product companies hire UX/UI designers fully remotely or in hybrid setups.
UX/UI as a career-change path
UX/UI design is one of the more popular paths for people wanting to change careers, since you can enter it without a classic computer science degree, drawing instead on experience in graphic design, marketing or customer service. If you're considering such a move, check our article on career change after 30 for practical steps to switch paths safely.
How to check whether it's the right career for you
UX/UI design requires a mix of empathy toward users, an aesthetic sense, and logical thinking — not everyone is suited to it. Before investing time in a course or degree, take the free next.movv test based on the RIASEC model — in 10 minutes it shows whether your profile fits creative-analytical careers like digital product design. Take it on the homepage at nextmovv.com.
It's an orienting tool, not a substitute for talking to a practicing designer or trying a sample project — it's also worth visiting UX communities (e.g., local meetups) before making a final decision.
Bottom line
Becoming a UX/UI designer is a process, not a one-off degree choice. What matters most is building a solid portfolio, whether you get there through design studies, psychology, or an online course.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know how to draw to become a UX/UI designer?
No, hand-drawing skill isn't required. More important are digital design tool skills (e.g., Figma), logical thinking, and understanding user needs.
Which studies best prepare you for UX/UI design?
There's no single correct path — industrial/graphic design, psychology, cognitive science, or computer science all help, complemented with practical UX/UI courses and portfolio building.
How long does it take to learn UX/UI design from scratch?
With intensive study (a course or bootcamp), you can build basics and a portfolio in 3–9 months, though reaching a mid level usually takes 2–3 years of practice.
Is UX/UI design at risk from AI?
AI tools now support design work (e.g., generating interface variants), but understanding user needs, UX research and design decisions still require a human.