The tech world is loaded with terms that feel exclusive to outsiders, but few are tossed around as much as UX/UI. A quick web search shows that these terms are often interchangeably used hand in hand. However, while UX and UI design go in pairs, they describe different parts of the software design process.
The UX
Although the term UX is repeatedly used in defining tech products, the concept applies to any product you can think of. UX stands for “user experience”—a crucial part of designing all products, from cars to computers to home appliances. It references the feel and ease of the user’s experience with a product, from beginning to end.
Three key considerations for designing UX are usefulness, usability, and desirability. UI is a critical component of quality UX. “User interface” references the look of your product, but unlike UX, it applies solely to digital products. A UI designer considers typography, color schemes, icon placement, buttons, spacing—all the visual functions your user interacts with while using your software.
UX: Providing the User with a Good Experience
Digital software primarily seeks to solve a problem. A great idea with the best team of digital developers may technically solve a problem. Still, UX design gives your user a good experience along the way. In the 1990s, a cognitive scientist named Don Norman coined “user experience” while working at Apple. He said, “User experience encompasses all aspects of the end-users interaction with the company, its services, and its products.”
Think of UX as driving a car. Modern cars offer many ways to interface with them. Digital dashboard, buttons on the door, gearshift location—all these functions were designed with UI.
Concept of the User’s Journey
A crucial part of UX design is the user’s journey with a product—the steps a user takes to meet the product’s goal. Mapping out the possible paths of this journey helps identify pain points. These stumbling blocks cause negative emotions if not adequately smoothed out. Alternatively, a pleasant user journey will lead to a positive UX, building user loyalty.
The UI
UI (User Interface) design is a crucial aspect of digital product design. It refers to the graphical layout of an application or website and the way in which users interact with its features. A good UI design should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and provide an intuitive experience for the user.
UI design covers a wide range of elements, including color, typography, icons, images, and responsive design. The goal of UI design is to create a seamless user experience that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. A well-designed UI should help users accomplish their tasks quickly and efficiently, without frustration. This can be achieved through careful consideration of the user’s needs, such as their motivations, goals, and limitations.
A UI designer must have an eye for aesthetics and a deep understanding of human-computer interaction. They must also have knowledge of various design software and tools, as well as an understanding of how to create wireframes, prototypes, and interactive mockups. By leveraging their design skills, UI designers are able to create digital products that are intuitive, easy to use, and aesthetically pleasing. The end result should be a digital product that engages the user and helps them achieve their goals, which can be anything from finding information to completing a task.
UI design is how the user interacts with the functions of a digital product. Think buttons, labels, location of instructions, spacing, color scheme, and layout. Understanding the UX design process and the research that informs it is crucial in building a UI that intuitively leads users through the product’s interface. The user personas you create should inform aesthetic and other design decisions. But UI is more than visual effects—layout significantly impacts your product’s efficacy and the user’s ability to interact with it. For example, if the buttons on an app are too close together, the user will have a hard time doing what they want.
Five essential characteristics of a good UI are:
- Clarity
- Familiarity
- Consistency
- Forgiveness
- Efficiency
When finding a design team to develop software or a website, look for designers who put the user at the center of all design decisions—both UX and UI. The UX design process requires a solid design strategy, an understanding of users, and mapped-out wireframes that put designers in the user’s shoes. Jointly, the combination of solid UX/UI design can 10X your software solution to success.
