What is a UX/UI Designer at UC Davis?

A UX/UI Designer at UC Davis plays a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape of one of the world’s leading public research universities. Unlike traditional tech environments, design here is deeply intertwined with the mission of education and public service. You will be responsible for creating intuitive, accessible, and engaging digital experiences that serve a diverse ecosystem of students, faculty, staff, and the global research community.

In this role, specifically within the context of Learning Experience Design, you are not just pushing pixels; you are architecting the way knowledge is consumed and shared. Your work directly impacts how users interact with complex institutional systems, educational platforms, and departmental websites. Whether you are streamlining a registration process or designing a custom learning module, your goal is to reduce friction and enhance the "Aggie" experience across all digital touchpoints.

The complexity of this position stems from the scale of the university. You will navigate a decentralized environment where individual units and branches have unique needs, requiring a designer who can maintain brand consistency while delivering tailored solutions. It is a high-impact role where your strategic influence ensures that UC Davis remains at the forefront of digital innovation in higher education.

Common Interview Questions

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for a UX/UI Designer role at UC Davis requires a balance of technical mastery and institutional awareness. You should approach your preparation by viewing design through the lens of service and usability. Interviewers are looking for candidates who can justify their design decisions with logic and empathy for the end-user.

Portfolio Storytelling – This is the cornerstone of your evaluation. You must be prepared to walk through your projects, explaining the "why" behind your "how." Interviewers look for a clear process that includes research, wireframing, and high-fidelity execution.

Institutional Awareness – UC Davis is a vast organization with many branches. You are expected to understand how your role fits into the broader university mission and how the specific unit you are applying to serves its stakeholders. Demonstrating that you have researched the department is critical for success.

Scenario-Based Problem Solving – You will face questions that ask how you would handle specific design challenges or stakeholder conflicts. Interviewers evaluate your ability to remain user-centric while navigating the practical constraints of a university setting, such as budget, accessibility requirements, and technical limitations.

Visual and Graphic Design Proficiency – While UX is about logic, the UI component is heavily scrutinized. You should be ready to discuss your aesthetic choices, typography, and layout skills. Strength in this area shows you can produce professional, polished deliverables that represent the UC Davis brand effectively.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at UC Davis is professional, structured, and often involves a high degree of collaboration. Because the university operates on a committee-based hiring model, you should expect to meet with a variety of stakeholders, including Faculty Managers, Marketing Managers, and even student leads. This panel-style approach ensures that your design skills are vetted from both a technical and a cultural perspective.

The progression typically begins with a standard application review, followed by an invitation to an in-person or virtual interview. These sessions are known for being thorough but friendly, often lasting between 60 to 90 minutes. Unlike fast-paced startup environments, the pace here is deliberate, focusing on finding a candidate who can thrive in a stable, long-term academic environment.

The timeline above illustrates the typical journey from application to final selection. You should use this to pace your preparation, ensuring your portfolio is fully updated before the first formal screen. Note that the "Onsite Panel" is often the most critical stage, where you will face the majority of your scenario-based and technical questions.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Graphic and Visual Design Mastery

At UC Davis, the "UI" in UX/UI Designer is taken very seriously. You will likely face a concentrated series of questions regarding your graphic design background. Interviewers want to see that you have a strong grasp of fundamental design principles and can apply them to modern digital interfaces.

Be ready to go over:

• Typography and Layout – How you use hierarchy to guide user attention.
• Brand Alignment – Your ability to work within established style guides (like the UC Davis brand identity).
• Tool Proficiency – Your expertise in industry-standard software such as Figma, Sketch, or Adobe Creative Suite.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk us through a time you had to balance a strict brand guideline with a need for creative innovation."
• "What specific design choices did you make in your portfolio to improve readability for a diverse audience?"

Portfolio and Process Walkthrough

Your portfolio is more than a gallery of work; it is a testament to your problem-solving abilities. During the interview, you will be asked to present 2-3 key projects. The committee is looking for a structured narrative: What was the problem? What was your role? How did you arrive at the solution?

Be ready to go over:

• User Research – How you gathered requirements and validated your designs.
• Iteration – Showing how a design evolved based on feedback or testing.
• Final Outcomes – The measurable impact of your design on the project goals.

Advanced concepts (less common):

• Accessibility (WCAG) compliance in design.
• Designing for mobile-first in a legacy desktop environment.
• Integrating instructional design principles into UI layouts.

Institutional Knowledge and Unit Awareness

One of the most unique aspects of interviewing at UC Davis is the emphasis on "knowing the house." Candidates who understand the relationship between different campus units and the central administration stand out. You must show that you aren't just a designer, but a partner in the university's mission.

Be ready to go over:

• Unit Functions – What the specific department (e.g., Student Affairs, Global Affairs) does.
• Stakeholder Management – How you would work with faculty who may not be design-savvy.
• Strategic Impact – How design can help the university reach its long-term educational goals.