Interactive Designer

Interactive designers create the ‘look and feel’ of an interactive media product and the work can vary depending on the size of team or the type of company.

The role often overlaps with information architect, especially in more senior positions or where the designer is working alone or in a very small team.

They must combine creativity with an awareness of the tools and technology that will be used to build the product, and an understanding of what these can and cannot do. The role sometimes also overlaps with that of developer, especially in smaller companies or teams.

Designers may be employed in permanent positions within a company, or may work on a freelance basis. Amongst freelancers, there tends to be most demand for those who are both good designers and have technical expertise, or who can combine several roles.

The designer produces visuals of user interfaces, using software such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator and will normally produce a separate visual for each type of screen within the product showing the screens’ layout, colour scheme, typography and any conventions for presenting images or other assets.

They make specifications, such as colour or style changes for hypertext links that are clicked or rolled over, or designing animated buttons or menus.

Depending on the type of product being created, the designer may also need to specify how, where and what sound effects or background music should be used.

They have to prepare designs in a way that allows them to be easily implemented by developers and designs must be appropriate for their intended purpose and visuals must be provided in the right format and at the correct size and resolution.

Typical starting salaries are around £15,500 - £27,000 rising at senior level/with experience to £25,000- £37,000.

Salary levels will depend on the company, your experience and the type of contract under which you are employed.

Most interactive media Designers have Bachelor’s Degrees, and some have Master’s Degrees.

Although there are now various specialist interactive media courses available, many Designers’ qualifications are in more traditional art-related subjects.

 

Architecture and product design are particularly useful backgrounds, as they tend to encourage the combinations of creative and technical thinking that interactive media requires – design in its broadest sense.

Experience is generally valued most, however, and a good portfolio of interactive media work is essential.