UX UI is becoming a trendy term used by employers, and they play a major part in how people interact with technology. This increasing demand is because we’re becoming more reliant on technology and companies are realising the importance of having designers who can problem solve and design.
This increase in demand is great for both designers and users, but as these roles become more popular, mistaking UX and UI is a common error. Whether experts in the field or novices, these terms are used interchangeably by everyone, and one thing that’s for sure is that they’re very different. And shouldn’t be confused with one another.
You might be questioning your knowledge on what UX and UI actually mean, so let’s break them down.
UX – user experience
UI – user interface
Both are crucial to product, and you can’t have one without the other. But their purpose and roles are very different.
Our blog breaks down their similarities and differences to help you better understand UX and UI.
We’re starting our blog with UX
So, what exactly is UX? It’s the look and feel of a user’s experience that takes a human-first approach to design. Encompassing all aspects of a user’s interaction with a product or service, UX Designers think about how the experience makes a user feel and considers all interactions throughout the life-cycle.
Now we know what UX is, let’s discuss UI
Simply put, it’s the look, feel, presentation, and function of a product or service. A UI Designers focus is the point of interaction between the user and the digital device making the interface as intuitive and visual as possible.
How UX and UI work throughout the product lifecycle
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Application |
Focus |
Creates |
Results |
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|
UX |
Physical & digital products
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Full experience from first to last interaction
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Structural design solutions for pain points users encounter anywhere on their journey
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Delights users through effectiveness
|
|
UI
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Digital products only
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Visual touchpoints to enable interaction
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Design improvements such as typography, colours, button types, animations and imagery
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Delights users through aesthetic
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How do UX and UI Designers work together?
Both roles have the users needs at the forefront of their design throughout the entire process. They work together to create products and services that delight users on the front end, but also complement each other on the back end.
How do you know what’s best for you?
Both UX and UI roles are in high demand, and demand for these roles is expected to rise by 22%.
If you’re interested in technology and problem solving UX is probably a better fit for you, whereas if you’re more creative and enjoy designing aesthetics UI is more likely the career for you.
Are you considering a UX or UI role, and you’re still not 100%? Before making a decision these tips might help you decide:
- Take a class and find out more about what each role entails
- Listen to a podcast or read a blog to hear from industry experts
- Join online communities to ask experts working in the field daily in-depth questions
Our UX and UI specialist Consultants can help you hire the best candidates for your business. If you want to have a chat with one of the team on how we can help grow your team, send us a message or give us a call!