You’ve probably seen ads claiming, “Graphic Designing is dead! Switch to UI/UX now!” But is there any truth to it?
This article clears up the myths and confusion surrounding Graphic Designing and UI/UX Designing. If you’re a designer or a beginner trying to choose a field, this comprehensive guide will help you decide what’s right for your career.
We’ll discuss job roles, required tools, industry scope, job opportunities, salaries, and answer the ultimate question: Should you switch from graphic design to UI/UX?
🔍 What’s the Difference Between Graphic Design and UI/UX?
Let’s begin by understanding what each field actually does.
🖌️ Graphic Designer’s Job Role
A Graphic Designer builds a brand’s visual identity. Their responsibilities include:
- Logo design
- Social media creatives
- Print materials (brochures, hoardings, banners)
- Ad creatives based on consumer psychology
A graphic designer studies human behavior and creates designs that influence a user’s buying decisions. For instance, if a brand launches a coffee product, it’s the designer’s job to create visuals that emotionally connect the user to that coffee.
📱 UI/UX Designer’s Job Role
UI/UX has two parts:
- UI (User Interface): Designing what users see on a website or app
- UX (User Experience): Designing how users interact with that interface
For example:
- How does a banner appear?
- What happens when you click a button?
- How does a dropdown function?
UI/UX design requires both visual design and basic programming. Designers work with developers to ensure a smooth user journey through the website or mobile app.
🧰 Tools Used in Graphic Design vs. UI/UX
🧷 Graphic Design Tools:
Depending on the medium (print or digital), the tools vary:
- Print Design Tools: CorelDRAW, Adobe Illustrator
- Digital Design Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Illustrator
- Video & Motion Graphics: Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects
- AI-Based Tools: Adobe Firefly, MidJourney, ChatGPT (for content help)
💻 UI/UX Design Tools:
UI/UX requires two skill sets—visual design and basic programming.
- Design Tools: Adobe XD, Figma, Photoshop, Sketch
- Development Side: Basic HTML, CSS, JavaScript (optional for design-only roles)
📌 Note: Some UI/UX designers focus only on design, while developers handle the coding. However, knowing front-end coding is an added advantage.
🌍 Which Industry Has a Bigger Market?
Here’s a practical way to understand it.
🔸 Graphic Design is Everywhere:
Think about a 1 km area around you. How many new businesses have popped up? Let’s assume 50.
Each of these businesses needs a graphic designer—for logos, social media posts, banners, brochures, and more. This work is ongoing and repeatable.
Even if their websites aren’t live, their brand visibility in print and digital formats depends entirely on a graphic designer.
🔹 UI/UX is More Specialized:
Out of those 50 businesses, maybe 15–20 will go online. They’ll need a UI/UX designer once to design the website or app.
After that? Occasional changes or maintenance may be required, but not daily.
So, while UI/UX is important, the volume and frequency of design work are significantly lower compared to graphic design.
💼 Job Opportunities: Which Has More?
Graphic designing offers more consistent job opportunities:
- Daily social media posts
- Event-specific designs
- Seasonal campaigns
- Print material updates
- Branding overhauls
Whereas in UI/UX:
- It’s often project-based
- Jobs are limited to companies building apps or web-based platforms
- Unless you’re in a major metro city or work for agencies outsourcing Western work, entry can be competitive
💰 Salary Comparison: Graphic Design vs. UI/UX
There’s a myth that graphic design pays less. Not true.
📊 Graphic Design Salary:
- Freshers: ₹20,000–₹40,000/month
- Experienced: ₹50,000–₹1.2 Lakh/month
📊 UI/UX Salary:
- Freshers: ₹25,000–₹45,000/month
- Experienced (Metro Cities): ₹60,000–₹1.5 Lakh/month
Most well-paying UI/UX jobs are in Tier-1 cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Gurgaon, often backed by international clients outsourcing projects.
As a freelancer, graphic designing offers more scope (e.g., creating YouTube thumbnails, Instagram content, business branding, etc.).
🤔 Should You Switch from Graphic Design to UI/UX?
It depends on your experience level:
👶 For Freshers:
- Both fields are good options
- UI/UX may seem easier due to templates and basic tools
- Graphic design still requires strong visual skills and software knowledge
👨🎨 For Existing Graphic Designers:
- Do NOT switch to UI/UX just because it’s trending
- Instead, upgrade your graphic design skills:
- Learn motion graphics
- Add video editing
- Explore advanced tools like Adobe Firefly or MidJourney
This way, your per-project earning potential doubles, without needing to relearn a completely new system or switch industries.
A graphic designer with upgraded skills is more powerful than a beginner UI/UX designer who only knows templates.
🔚 Final Thoughts
The reality is simple: Both industries are valuable, but graphic design is more versatile, repeatable, and in demand—especially for freelance, agency, and SME branding work.
UI/UX is great for specialized roles, particularly in large companies or outsourced international projects. But it often requires programming, and competition is high.
So before making a switch, assess your current skill set, your career goals, and the kind of work you truly enjoy.
🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Is UI/UX better than graphic design in 2025?
Not better—just different. UI/UX is more tech-focused; graphic design is more versatile.
❓ Can a graphic designer become a UI/UX designer?
Yes, but you’ll need to learn Figma, UX principles, and possibly basic programming.
❓ Which field pays more?
Salaries are similar. High-paying roles exist in both, but graphic design has more frequent work, especially freelance.
❓ What if I’m already a graphic designer?
Upgrade your skills instead of switching. Learn motion graphics, AI tools, and advanced design theory to grow your value.
🏷️ Tags:
graphic design vs uiux, graphic design career 2025, uiux career guide, tools for designers, ui ux salary, graphic designer tools, adobe tools, figma vs photoshop, creative careers in india, branding and ux, motion graphics, freelancing for designers
📢 Hashtags:
#GraphicDesign #UIUXDesign #DesignCareer #Photoshop #Figma #FreelanceDesigner #CreativeJobs #DesignTools #UXvsGraphicDesign #MotionGraphics
⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Career choices should be made based on your interests, aptitude, and long-term goals. The software and tools mentioned are subject to change. Always research updates from official websites like Adobe, Figma, or MidJourney.
