Be ready to go over:

• User Research & Persona Development – How you gather user requirements and translate them into actionable design personas.
• Usability Testing – Your methodology for testing prototypes with real users and iterating on designs based on pain points identified.
• Information Architecture – How you organize, structure, and label content to help users find information and complete tasks efficiently.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Conducting remote asynchronous testing, analyzing web analytics to identify drop-off points, and mapping complex service blueprints.

Example scenarios:

• "Describe a time when usability testing disproved your initial design hypothesis. How did you pivot?"
• "How do you approach designing a workflow that must be used by both tech-savvy students and less tech-literate faculty members?"

Panel Communication & Stakeholder Collaboration

Because UT Austin departments are collaborative and cross-functional, you must prove that you can communicate your design vision effectively to a diverse group of stakeholders.

Be ready to go over:

• Design Articulation – Explaining your design choices in plain, non-jargon language that appeals to business and academic stakeholders.
• Feedback Integration – Actively listening to constructive criticism from a panel and synthesizing conflicting feedback into a unified design solution.
• Developer Handover – Documenting your designs and collaborating with engineering teams to ensure technical feasibility and accurate implementation.

Example scenarios:

• "How do you handle a situation where a key stakeholder requests a feature that negatively impacts the overall user experience?"
• "Describe your process for collaborating with developers from the early wireframing stage through to final QA."

As a UX/UI Designer at The University Of Texas At Austin, your day-to-day work will be highly dynamic and collaborative. You will be embedded within a specific department or creative team, driving design initiatives from initial concept to final launch.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Designing intuitive user interfaces, wireframes, user journeys, and high-fidelity mockups for web and mobile applications.
• Collaborating with writers, editors, and creative directors to ensure that visual layouts support editorial content and brand narratives.
• Partnering with development teams to ensure design specifications, responsive behaviors, and accessibility standards are met during implementation.
• Conducting user research, usability testing, and heuristic evaluations to continuously improve existing digital products.
• Upholding and contributing to the university's digital brand standards, ensuring a cohesive look and feel across all departmental touchpoints.
• Participating in regular design reviews and presenting concepts to departmental stakeholders, supervisors, and directors.

To be competitive for this role at The University Of Texas At Austin, you should possess a strong blend of technical expertise, practical design experience, and soft skills.

• Must-have technical skills – A strong portfolio demonstrating responsive web design, proficiency in industry-standard design tools (such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Suite), and a deep understanding of WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards.
• Must-have soft skills – Exceptional communication and presentation skills, the ability to work collaboratively in a panel-driven environment, and strong stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience level – Typically requires a bachelor's degree in design, human-computer interaction (HCI), computer science, or a related field, along with several years of professional experience designing digital products.
• Nice-to-have skills – Basic knowledge of front-end technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript), experience working in higher education or large institutional settings, and background knowledge in editorial or graphic design.

Q: How difficult is the interview process for a UX/UI Designer at UT Austin? A: Candidates generally describe the process as having an average difficulty level. It is highly conversational and focused on your portfolio and collaborative skills rather than high-stress whiteboard challenges or tests.

Q: What is the typical timeline from the first interview to an offer? A: The process can take anywhere from three to six weeks. Because UT Austin is a large state institution, administrative steps—such as background checks, reference calls, and committee reviews—can take longer than in the private sector.

Q: What does the panel interview look like? A: You will typically present to a panel of five to six people from the department. This panel usually includes designers, developers, and project managers who will ask questions about your process, teamwork, and technical execution.

Q: How important are reference checks in this process? A: Highly important. UT Austin frequently conducts thorough reference checks immediately following successful panel interviews before extending a formal offer.

Q: What is the work culture like for designers at the university? A: The culture is highly collaborative, mission-driven, and supportive. Designers enjoy a healthy work-life balance, opportunities to work on highly impactful public-facing projects, and a friendly, academic environment.

To maximize your chances of success during the The University Of Texas At Austin hiring process, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Tailor your portfolio presentation: Before your interview, research the specific department you are applying to. Highlight projects in your portfolio that match their medium—whether that is content-heavy editorial portals, transactional web applications, or marketing-heavy landing pages.
• Emphasize accessibility early and often: UT Austin takes digital accessibility very seriously. Proactively explain how you incorporate accessibility audits, contrast checks, and screen-reader compatibility into your standard design workflow.
• Prepare for the panel dynamics: Panel interviews can feel intimidating, but they are designed to be collaborative. Address each panelist by name, make eye contact (or look directly at the camera if virtual), and show enthusiasm for their specific roles and questions.
• Highlight your adaptability: Working in higher education means navigating changing priorities, diverse stakeholder opinions, and evolving brand guidelines. Share stories that prove you are flexible, patient, and highly constructive under these conditions.

Securing a UX/UI Designer role at The University Of Texas At Austin offers an incredible opportunity to build a meaningful career driving impactful digital experiences. By focusing your preparation on demonstrating strong visual craft, user-centered methodologies, and collaborative stakeholder communication, you will stand out as a highly competitive candidate.

Ensure your portfolio is structured to tell a compelling story about your design process, highlighting how you solve complex problems and design for accessibility. Approach the panel interview as an opportunity to showcase not just your designs, but your communication style and cultural alignment with the university’s educational mission.

The compensation insights above reflect typical salary ranges for design professionals at the university. Actual offers are determined by your specific department's budget, your years of experience, and your technical qualifications. Take time to review additional interview experiences, salary data, and preparation resources on Dataford to ensure you enter your interviews fully prepared and confident. Good luck with your preparation!