How many acronyms do you think exist within the digital realm? The number is probably ridiculous and growing steadily every day. I know all these terms can be daunting, but trust me, they sound much more complex than the ideas they represent.
I am here today in an attempt to guide you through the frustrating terrain that is industry jargon. So, let’s start at the beginning and tackle the basics.
For many, UI and UX design are two indistinguishable entities. It is therefore important to establish the distinct differences between the two. Let’s break it down:
UX Design
In its most basic form, UX design stands for User Experience design. But what does that mean? The goal of UX design is to meet your user’s needs while maximizing functionality. In this sense, it is important to understand the psychology of your users and what motivates them. This will ensure that you’re designing an optimal, accessible and meaningful, digital experience.
A UX designer is comparable to a digital architect. They are concerned with the whole picture and oversee the entire user journey. In this position, the UX designer can ensure that the user’s journey is seamless and elements such as branding, design, function, and usability remain consistent.
A UX designer is more concerned with optimizing measurable factors in order to create a better user experience. For example, reducing the bounce rate and improving the click-through-rate (CTR) would be two important goals for a UX designer. Achieving these goals would prove that the user was finding value in the digital experience provided.
UI Design
UI design, on the other hand, stands for User Interface design. In its simplest form, UI design is concerned with how the digital experience looks and feels.
For example, when building a website, the UI designer would concern themselves with how all the elements looked. The UX designer would be more concerned with accessibility and the placement of each element.
If a UX designer is the architect, then the UI designer is the decorator. They focus on unmeasurable elements such as graphic design, color, and typography. Therefore, UI is comparable to UX in terms of providing value to the user. However, value is coming from the aesthetic components of the design.
UX and UI: The Perfect Team
As you can see, UX and UI are two distinct design elements that work in tandem to create a meaningful user experience.
UX ensures functionality, while UI ensures attractiveness. UX is the overall experience a user has with a mobile or web application, while UI includes all elements the user will actually see and interact with.
I guess you could say, when UI and UX work together, they make the perfect team!
I hope this clears up any confusion you may have been experiencing. Perhaps you’ve been a UX or UI designer all along and weren’t even aware!
As for me, I am both a digital architect and decorator with over ten years of experience. If you have any questions, reach out and let’s start a conversation. I’d love to help bring the best experience possible to your users!
