Graduate UI Designer - Digital Product Development - London/Birmingham

Graduate UI Designer - Digital Product Development - London/Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time 28800 - 48000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
TargetJobs UK

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team to design user interfaces for innovative engineering software.
  • Company: Arup, a global consultancy shaping the future of the built environment.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, profit share scheme, and extensive learning opportunities.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for growth and community engagement.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable development while enhancing user experiences.
  • Qualifications: Relevant degree in UI/UX Design or similar, with experience in user research.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.

The Opportunity

Arup is a global consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We guide, plan and design the future of the built environment. Each year we recruit hundreds of graduates to help us solve the most complex challenges facing our clients, climate and communities. As a Graduate UI Designer, you will join our growing product development team in Central London or Central Birmingham, helping evolve and modernise the Oasys LS-DYNA Software – a powerful collection of engineering tools used to model everything from vehicle crash tests to how skyscrapers behave during earthquakes.

Key Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with engineers, product managers, and marketing teams to deeply understand products and elevate usability for our clients and customers.
  • Translate requirements and user research into high-fidelity mock-ups, wireframes or interactive prototypes of user interface designs.
  • Build, refine, and maintain design systems – ensuring cohesive visual language and interactions across our product suite.
  • Communicate design decisions clearly and confidently to developers, understanding how your work integrates into the product development lifecycle.
  • Design software icons and other associated graphics for software engineering applications.

Additional Secondary Responsibilities

  • Conduct user research to uncover insights and opportunities.
  • Help identify improvements that enhance the overall user experience.
  • Assist in planning and conducting user testing – both remotely and in person – to validate design decisions.
  • Advocate for accessibility and inclusive design (WCAG compliance).
  • Assist in creating and updating help content, guides, and other documentation for software products.
  • Help facilitate design/research/feedback related team meetings and workshops, ensuring notes and actions are recorded.
  • Partner with the team on animations, tutorials, and other engaging visual material.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Recognised relevant tertiary qualifications in User Interface Design, Graphic Design, Experience Design, UI/UX Design, Software Development or a similar area.
  • Experience in user research, interface design, or working in a software development environment.
  • Proficiency with tools like Figma, Balsamiq, Adobe or equivalent.
  • Comfortable interpreting and communicating complex technical information.
  • Solid understanding of UI layouts, component fundamentals, spacing, grids, and visual hierarchy.

Skills & Attributes

  • Strong English communication skills – you can explain design concepts with clarity to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Attention to detail in visual designs and interactions.
  • Developing leadership skills and striving to improve the team’s understanding of good design.
  • A curious mindset – energised by understanding how people think and work.
  • Ability to build trusted relationships with different people and groups in a diverse team.
  • Proactive mindset – enjoy challenges and seek opportunities to improve existing solutions.
  • Creative and inventive in your approach to problem solving.

We’re Looking For

  • Changemakers: A passion for sustainable development and creating a better world is key.
  • Innovative minds: Critical thinkers who embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo.
  • Growth seekers: A growth mindset, always eager to learn and explore new ways of working.
  • Adaptable adventurers: Ready to take on any challenge that comes your way.

You should be able to start this opportunity in September 2026. Please note, in the event of high applicant volume, this role may be closed ahead of the advertised closing date. Early application is recommended.

Location Preferences

While the role you applied for is based in the location specified in the job advert, we may have other opportunities that align with your profile. To help us assess this, please let us know which Arup office locations you would be interested in working in on your application form.

Duplicate Applications

Candidates are permitted to submit only one application per recruitment cycle. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and selecting the role and location(s) that best align with your skills and interests before applying.

Eligibility

We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Therefore, successful candidates must ensure that they are eligible to work permanently in the UK from the start date.

What we offer you

Beyond a great salary and stimulating, technically challenging work, Arup offers a range of additional benefits to its people. As a membership organisation, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme. Our members also have access to a range of broader wellbeing benefits. You will have access to lots of learning and development opportunities, including a structured induction and ongoing training through Arup University. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to utilise your technical expertise to do meaningful work that strengthens the resilience of communities and places to improve lives through Arup’s community engagement programme.

Graduate UI Designer - Digital Product Development - London/Birmingham employer: TargetJobs UK

Arup is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where graduates can thrive in their roles as UI Designers. With access to extensive learning and development opportunities, a global profit share scheme, and a commitment to meaningful projects that enhance community resilience, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally in vibrant locations like Central London and Birmingham.

TargetJobs UK

Contact Details:

TargetJobs UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Graduate UI Designer - Digital Product Development - London/Birmingham

Show Off Your Portfolio

In the world of UX/UI design, your portfolio speaks volumes! Make sure it's packed with your best work and showcases your process, not just the final product. We want to see how you tackle design challenges, so consider adding case studies that reflect your thought process and user-centric approach.

Get Involved in Design Communities

Jump into local or online design meetups and workshops! Places like UXPA or local design events can be goldmines for networking and learning. Plus, mingling with fellow designers can introduce you to potential job openings that might not be listed elsewhere.

Tailor Your Applications

When you find a role that excites you, like the one at TargetJobs UK for a Graduate UI Designer - Digital Product Development - London/Birmingham, make your application count! Highlight specific projects and skills that directly relate to the job description. Hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit into their specific team, so show them you’re the one!

Leverage Social Media

Don't underestimate the power of social media in finding a UX/UI design job! Follow design leaders on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, share your work, and engage in conversations. It’s a great way to get noticed by recruiters and even catch wind of openings at companies like TargetJobs UK before they go live!

We think you need these skills to ace Graduate UI Designer - Digital Product Development - London/Birmingham

User Interface Design
Graphic Design
Experience Design
UI/UX Design
Software Development
User Research
Prototyping

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Design Process:When you're applying for a UX/UI Design role like Graduate UI Designer - Digital Product Development - London/Birmingham at TargetJobs UK, make sure to include examples that clearly highlight your design process. We want to see not just the final product but also the journey that led you there—wireframes, user personas, and iterations demonstrate your thought process and user-centric approach!

Tailor Your Portfolio:A tailor-made portfolio is crucial for a full-time design role! Curate your best projects that align with the kind of work TargetJobs UK does. We suggest including 3-5 case studies that showcase a variety of skills such as wireframing, prototyping, and user testing to really make your application pop.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should not just be a summary of your CV. Use it to express why you’re excited about UX/UI Design and what draws you specifically to TargetJobs UK. Mention any relevant experience, tools you’re proficient in (like Sketch or Figma), and how you can contribute to their projects.

Highlight Collaboration Skills:In the world of UX/UI Design, teamwork is crucial. Make sure to highlight any past experiences where you worked in cross-functional teams. Illustrate how you communicated design decisions and listened to feedback, as this will resonate well with the culture at TargetJobs UK.

How to prepare for a job interview at TargetJobs UK

Show Off Your Portfolio

When you're gunning for a full-time UX/UI design role, your portfolio is your best friend! Make sure you've got a solid selection of your work, showcasing not just the final designs, but the process behind them—think wireframes, user flows, and any user research you've conducted. During the interview with TargetJobs UK, be prepared to discuss your design decisions and how they solve specific user problems.

Prepare for Design Challenges

Expect to face some practical design tasks during your interview. TargetJobs UK might ask you to tackle a quick design challenge or critique an existing interface. Brush up on your problem-solving skills and try to articulate your thought process as you work through these scenarios. Showing how you approach a design problem is just as important as the final output!

Know the Tools of the Trade

Familiarise yourself with the tools commonly used in the industry—figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch should be second nature to you. Be ready to discuss your preferred tools during the interview and how they've shaped your design process at previous positions. This knowledge could give you an edge at TargetJobs UK!

Show Passion for User Experience

In a full-time UX/UI design role, having a genuine passion for improving user interactions can set you apart. Be prepared to share instances when you went above and beyond to ensure a great user experience in your previous projects. This will demonstrate that you’re not just a designer, but a user advocate, which is exactly what TargetJobs UK is looking for.