A growing number of architects and designers are transitioning into UX design, motivated by the promise of better salaries and improved working conditions. This shift is highlighted as part of our Performance Review series.
Recruiters who specialise in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design—fields that focus primarily on digital products such as apps and websites—report a notable increase in interest from architects and industrial designers seeking new opportunities.
Adam Perlis, the founder of the UX recruitment agency Academy, has observed this trend firsthand.
“It’s quite common to see professionals making this career change,” Perlis explained.
“There are more job opportunities, higher salaries, and greater flexibility,” he added. “Given these factors, switching careers becomes an obvious choice.”
Perlis noted that architects often excel in UX design due to their background and training.
“It’s generally a natural transition,” he said. “Architects tend to be highly skilled in human-centred design as part of their education, so they already approach problems similarly to UX or product designers.”
“More and more design graduates are choosing UX roles”
Douglas Bates, co-founder of recruitment agency Intelligent People, confirmed that design graduates are increasingly favouring UX roles.
“More design graduates are now selecting UX positions as their preferred career path instead of traditional industrial design,” Bates told Dezeen.
“We’ve seen significant growth in interest, especially from industrial designers who are keen to see how their skills can be applied to the digital realm.”
In January, Dezeen reported survey results showing that one in five professionals in architecture and design plan to leave the industry, citing dissatisfaction with pay and heavy workloads.
Job openings in architecture and design are also becoming scarcer, especially for those just starting their careers.
The World Economic Forum’s annual report on future labour market trends predicts that UX and UI designers will rank among the fastest-growing professions over the next five years.
Bates noted, “Technology and software are seen as expanding sectors that offer a wealth of career options, and nearly every software company values strong design and UX skills.”
He added that in countries like the UK, where there are relatively few design-led manufacturers, the tech sector is viewed as a more appealing and logical direction for designers.
Perlis echoed this view, saying, “The field is set to grow even more than it already has.”
“So, as architects consider career changes, they are among those who move into this field—and they generally do so successfully.”
“Supply is far outstripping demand” in UX design
Despite these opportunities, architects and designers looking to enter UX may still face challenges in finding employment.
Recruiter Nick Grantham pointed out that the UX sector has become significantly more competitive in recent years.
“Over the past two to three years, the UX market has tightened considerably, and now supply far exceeds demand,” said Grantham, associate director at Zebra People recruitment agency.
“Before this, we saw a post-Covid boom, and the industry looked especially promising for designers hoping to advance more rapidly than in architecture or industrial design,” he continued.
