Visual Interaction Designers

Employers

Large tech companies such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, Intel, and VMware are the most common employers of visual interaction designers, but designers also work for smaller companies, as well as any nonprofit organization or government agency that develops apps, Web sites, or other products. An experienced designer might launch his or her own design firm and provide freelance services to the aforementioned employers.

Starting Out

There are many ways to learn about job opportunities in interaction design. Many college students who are about to graduate use the resources of their school’s career center, which often organizes job fairs or visits by company recruiters. Additionally, career counselors can advise on crafting a stellar resume and acing job interviews. Many college students obtain their first jobs via contacts they made during internships or co-ops. These companies use their programs to identify promising candidates for full-time employment. Other job-search strategies include networking online and at in-person events, creating a profile on LinkedIn or other professional networking sites to attract recruiters' interest, using the job pages of professional associations, and visiting the career pages of potential employers.

It's important to remember that large tech companies are the main employers of interaction designers. At smaller employers, user interface designers or user experience designers typically handle interaction design–related tasks. When looking for jobs at smaller companies, search first for listings with the aforementioned titles and then check the skillset required to determine if your interaction design skills make you a good candidate for the position.