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

Expect a mix of questions that test your technical skills, your design philosophy, and your ability to navigate the unique environment of a university. The following categories represent the most common themes reported by successful candidates.

Portfolio & Graphic Design Experience

These questions aim to verify your technical "chops" and your ability to execute high-quality visual work.

• Walk us through your most successful project. What was your specific contribution?
• How do you stay current with UI/UX trends, and how do you decide which ones to adopt?
• Describe your process for creating a brand-consistent UI for a new web application.
• What tools do you use for prototyping, and why do you prefer them?
• How do you handle a situation where a client or stakeholder dislikes your visual direction?

Scenario & Problem Solving

These questions test your ability to think on your feet and apply design thinking to real-world constraints.

• If you were tasked with redesigning the UC Davis homepage, where would you start?
• How do you approach designing for a user base with varying levels of technical literacy?
• Tell us about a time you had to make a design trade-off due to technical limitations.
• How do you prioritize features when you have a tight deadline and multiple stakeholders?
• Describe a time you used data or user feedback to change a design direction.

Institutional & Cultural Fit

These questions evaluate your interest in UC Davis and your ability to work within a committee-driven environment.

• Why do you want to work in higher education design specifically?
• What do you know about the different branches and units of UC Davis?
• How do you handle working with a panel of stakeholders who have conflicting opinions?
• What does "inclusive design" mean to you in the context of a public university?

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.

Key Responsibilities

The day-to-day life of a UX/UI Designer at UC Davis is diverse and collaborative. You will primarily be responsible for the end-to-end design of digital products, which includes everything from initial discovery and user journey mapping to the handoff of high-fidelity mockups. Your work ensures that digital tools are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate.

Collaboration is a core component of this role. You will work closely with Marketing Managers to ensure that all digital assets align with broader communication strategies. Additionally, you will interface with developers and Instructional Designers to ensure that your designs are technically feasible and educationally sound. In many cases, you will act as a bridge between technical teams and non-technical faculty members, translating complex requirements into clear visual solutions.

Beyond project-based work, you will also contribute to the maintenance of design systems and accessibility standards across the university. This involves auditing existing sites for usability and providing recommendations for improvement. You are the advocate for the user in every meeting, ensuring that the student or faculty experience remains the priority amidst competing administrative requirements.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be a competitive candidate for the UX/UI Designer position, you need a blend of formal design education and practical, hands-on experience. UC Davis looks for designers who are as comfortable with "big picture" strategy as they are with the "nitty-gritty" of pixel-perfect design.

• Technical Skills – Deep proficiency in Figma or Adobe XD is a must. You should also have a working knowledge of HTML/CSS to understand the technical constraints of your designs. Familiarity with Content Management Systems (CMS) like Drupal or WordPress is highly valued.
• Experience Level – Typically, 3–5 years of professional design experience is expected. Experience in an academic or large-scale institutional setting is a significant advantage.
• Soft Skills – Exceptional communication is non-negotiable. You must be able to present your ideas to a panel of diverse stakeholders and take constructive criticism gracefully.
• Must-have skills – A strong digital portfolio, knowledge of user-centric design principles, and experience with responsive web design.
• Nice-to-have skills – Experience with instructional design, video editing, or motion graphics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the interview process for a UX/UI Designer? The process is generally rated as "Easy" to "Average" in terms of technical difficulty, but it is high in "Social Rigor." You need to be very comfortable presenting to a group and explaining your logic clearly.

Q: What is the most important thing to emphasize during the interview? Focus on your process. While the final UI is important, the hiring committee at UC Davis wants to see that you are a methodical thinker who considers accessibility and user needs at every step.

Q: How long does the hiring process usually take? University hiring can be slower than the private sector. Expect a few weeks between your initial application and the first interview, and another few weeks for a final decision.

Q: Do I need to have experience in education to get the job? While not strictly required, having a background in Learning Experience Design or working with large institutional brands will give you a significant edge.

Other General Tips

• Research the Unit: Before your interview, find out which specific department you are applying to. Look at their current digital presence and come prepared with one or two thoughtful observations or questions.
• Master the STAR Method: For scenario questions, use the Situation, Task, Action, and Result framework. This is especially helpful in panel interviews where clarity and structure are highly valued.
• Showcase Accessibility: Mentioning how you design for users with disabilities will immediately signal that you understand the university's legal and ethical obligations.
• Prepare for the Panel: You might be interviewed by 3–5 people at once. Practice making eye contact with everyone on the panel, not just the person who asked the question.

Summary & Next Steps

Becoming a UX/UI Designer at UC Davis is a unique opportunity to use your design skills for the greater good. It is a role that offers a stable environment, a collaborative culture, and the chance to work on projects that impact thousands of lives daily. By focusing your preparation on a strong portfolio walkthrough, institutional research, and scenario-based storytelling, you will position yourself as a top-tier candidate.

Remember that the interviewers are not just looking for a technician; they are looking for a colleague. Show them your passion for design and your commitment to creating a better digital world for the UC Davis community. Your ability to blend creativity with the structured needs of a research university will be your greatest asset.

The salary range for this position is competitive for the higher education sector, typically spanning from $69,600 to$124,200. This range accounts for varying levels of experience and the specific requirements of the unit. When discussing compensation, consider the total package, which often includes excellent university benefits and a commitment to work-life balance. For more detailed insights and to further refine your preparation, you can explore additional resources on Dataford.