Whenever someone says designer, we all assume that it has to do with designs. And while that might be true in a broader sense, there are several categories of designs and designers. Learning their differences is important because it helps us understand which designer to approach the problem or design-related issue. That is why today we will be elaborating upon the differences between UI and UX design.
The terms UX and UI have always been heard together. Whenever someone mentions UX, UI is supposed to be tagged along, indicating their connection and the fact that one cannot work without the other.
And although both of them are required in synchronization in running a smooth project, a lack of understanding between the two only brews more confusion. With the rise in UI and UX trends, we don’t want that, do we?
So to avoid that, let’s get into understanding the differences between UI and UX design.
Table of Contents
What is UX?
The full form of UX is User Experience.
It is commonly identified as a starting point for any design project. User Experience is where a user’s need is identified, thorough research is done, and follows the process flow. The product is then built for the said users according to the guidelines set by this research.
The focus of UX designs is to ensure that the user has a smooth journey from the start to the end.
What is UI?
User Interface is the complete form of UI. It is concerned with the user’s interaction with the product. As a UI designer, your responsibility is to ensure that you provide the best interaction of the products for the users. This includes deciding the look and the elements involved in it.
Whether it’s the view, the typography, style, or design, UI is responsible for providing an aesthetically pleasing response to the user.
Differences Between UI and UX Design
Now that you’re clear on the basic understanding of these two concepts let’s identify the key differences between UI and UX design.
1. User’s Experience VS Design Sense
User Experience is the main focus of a UX Designer. How will the user’s journey be when they use your product from the start to the end. Is it easy for them to navigate, locate the things they are looking for, or face problems finding the most accessible menu?
On the contrary, UI talks more about the design, look and feel. The UI designer is more concerned with making products look more aesthetically pleasing and making sure that it is appealing to the user’s eyes.
Everything starting from the colors to the style, and even typography is chosen to suit the user.
2. Knowing Users VS Attracting Users
In user experience, there is a lot of research involved. People are observed, seen what they like or don’t. There are researches involved where the users’ needs are identified, and the most important ones are automatically shortlisted to create the best product.
Once the need is finalized, the next step is to make the product profile and see that it goes smoothly, providing the end-users the best experience.
On the other hand, the User Interface is more about attracting users. After the User Experience designer’s initial work is done, the User Interface designer is allocated to the project to be taken further.
They make sure that there is an aesthetically pleasing look to the product. This is crucial so that people are attracted to the work even before they have had a chance to use it.
3. Different Roles VS Link to Interfaces
User Experience Designer has a diverse job role. It starts with the research to creating the basic plan of the product. It then proceeds to make a smooth journey for the user and provide the product’s best quality.
User Interface Designer, on the other hand, works to make the products more attractive, creating graphical interfaces.
They are the ones that are allowed to decide the visual appeal of the product and what will make it look more attractive for the audience. If an animation would suffice or the addition of a graphical image or text is required.
4. Initial Process VS Ongoing Process
As mentioned above, UX is from the start to the end. It helps develop a project from scratch, and its work does not end until the end-user is delighted with the result. The end goal is perfection. So to achieve it in every aspect, continuous changes are made.
While UI is just a part of it, after completing the initial work, the next step involves creating a prototype. UI comes in handy in deciding the look and is responsible for providing a good glimpse of the product.
A UI designer’s work pretty much ends here, but a UX designer’s work continues till the end.
5. User-Focused VS Product-Centric
Any product made by the UX designer is to cater to the user’s needs and make sure that they are satisfied. The work that they develop is more user-centric. Meaning everything that they are doing is supposed to provide ease to the user.
UI is product-centric. They are product-centric means that a UI designer is only concerned with the product and ensures that it looks the best. The product is supposed to look the best, no matter who the user.
Key Takeaway
As mentioned above, UI and UX design work together to provide a great user experience. However, they do have some significantly noticeable differences between them, which can better explain them. More importantly, it can help non-designers understand their use case better.
If you are interested in learning more about UX and UI, there are specialized courses and exercises on the two that can help you understand them better and allow you an opportunity to learn these skills.
We hope that now you have a better idea and are easily able to distinguish between the two.
