UX vs UI — The Difference Between UX And UI Design

If you are a person who loves to study and do research on web design then you must notify the comparison of “UI vs UX” or which one of them is better or more important.

Or you are new to this industry and wonder the same question, let us explain everything in this very article. But first, let’s go through some basic knowledge regarding UI and UX design.

The definition of UI and UX

What is UI

Everything started in the 80s when computer scientists from Xerox PARC created the graphical user interface. Thanks to this invention, end-users could interact with elements like icons, buttons, menus, etc. directly instead of using code to “communicate” with the machine.

Therefore, computer manufacturing companies had to design interfaces that everyone could handle. As a result, UI design became a thing.

In short, UI is the process to create everything related to interfaces of a web app or a mobile app such as text, images, buttons, CTA, etc. And a UI designer will focus on enhancing the look of the product.

What is UX

User Experience (UX) design is the process to create digital products (including web apps, mobile apps, software, etc.) that are able to give users seamless experiences when using it. This process of designing will provide effective function, easy-to-use feature, and fun moments to interact with.

Furthermore, UX designers have to make sure that users will find pleasure, amusement, and good experience in what they designed.

However, many experts agree that there is no uniform standard to define good user experience, instead, it should meet users’ needs in a specific context when they are using your websites, apps, etc.

The differences between UI designers a UX designers

Now you knew that “UI vs UX” is not a thing, but in fact, they are different in various ways which are:

1. Goals

UX designers’ goals

• Make the interfaces useful
• Help user accomplish goals easier
• Focus on users and their journey

UI designers’ goal

• Make the interfaces aesthetic
• Help bond emotions from users
• Care for the product

2. Responsibilities

UX designers’ responsibilities

• Product research: Thanks to this stage, UX designers can build a strong base for the whole process. At the same time, they draft initial concepts, ideas, and user flows of the web or app. This is also the step where designers gather data and information to get rid of any assumptions and come to more evidence-based decisions. Conduct personas and scenarios: personas will help us understand the target users and what they want and expect while using the app or website.
• Design: First, UX designers to structure a product’s content and scenarios. After that, it’s time to create information architecture. The next step is to draft wireframes. If you have no idea what a wireframe is then you can see wireframes as mockups for your website/app. You will position graphic elements (icons, buttons, CTA, texts, etc.) on the wireframe.
• Prototype: The purpose of this task is to prepare a draft version. Designers and other team members will try “touching” the design. Then, they can point out and correct existing errors and inconsistencies.

UI designers’ responsibilities

Design:

• Design screens, layouts, put visual patterns and design elements together logically and creatively.
• Design responsive interfaces.
• Design or choose fitting design elements.
• Build the interactivity of those design elements.

Collaborate: You, as a UI designer, should study and do research on the product’s business in order to know their client and end-users’ expectations as well as the industry’s current trends and best practices. Along with that, UI designers need to work with UI designers to come with personas, discuss with them the user flows.

3. Skills

UX designers’ skills:

• UX Research
• Information Architecture
• Wireframing and prototyping
• UX writing
• User empathy
• Interact design
• Analytics
• Coding
• UX design software
• Critical thinking

UI designers’ skills

• UI research
• Understanding Of UI Design Principles
• Mobile/Responsive Designs
• Content development
• Communication
• Creative thinking

However, UI designers and their UX counterparts should embrace each other’s basic knowledge to work more effectively.