In order to understand what UI /UX design is, we need to understand what web design is. The easiest way to explain web design is that it shows how websites are designed and then displayed on the internet. It concentrates more on the user experience aspects of website development than software development. In previous years, web design leaned more towards creating websites compatible with desktop browsers. However, in the last 2 decades, it’s become more focused on designing for mobile and tablet browsers.
Now, UI/ UX design is two sides of the coin that is web design. While they each have their own distinct definitions and purposes, you can’t have one without the other. So, let’s keep going and learn what both of these are along with the major differences between them.
What is UI Design?
UI stands for User Interface which is what users actually interact with. Take the example of a website that you either view on a desktop browser or a mobile one. The UI design process will show you buttons, text, visuals, slider sections, widgets, and other interactive elements. UI designers must ensure that they design each of these elements carefully to allow the target user group to have an effortless and positive experience.
What is UX Design?
UX stands for User Experience and refers to a user’s interaction with products or services. UX design is the way by which UX designers create products or services that provide worthwhile experiences for users, involving many multiple areas of product development including branding, usability, function, and design.
UX design can also be seen as a user’s journey in encountering a particular brand, product, or service. From their first interaction – how did they hear about the product – through advertisements, blog articles, or word of mouth? Did they have a good interaction? How did they feel after said interaction? Asking all these questions is a necessity when considering what path to take with UX design.
Now that you know the basic definitions of UX design and UI design, let’s learn about the key differences between them.
Differences between UI/ UX Design
UI/ UX designers’ work overlaps, making it common for the design work to be confused with one another. They reflect different components of a product or service’s design. This means there are key differences, which we will learn about below.
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What it looks like vs. What you experience
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Both these types of design play related roles but there’s a difference in the components they address when it comes to the product or service. UI design is related to how the product looks, that is, the visual and interactive elements that help with engagement. UX design relates to creating the components that make the product run efficiently, to give the user a clean, uninterrupted, and pleasant experience.
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The design vs. The prototyping
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UI designers look at creating and utilizing visuals and design elements that will increase user engagement with the product. While related, but not entirely, a UX designer has to create clean but strong wireframes and prototypes that form the foundation of the product or service. Therefore, both UI and UX design go hand-in-hand in creating a successful product or service even if their processes are different.
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The details vs. The workflow
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This is an important difference to take note of. UI design concentrates on working on a website’s individual pages, buttons, and interactions; ensuring that they are clean and functional. UX design works hard to ensure that there are no interruptions in the product’s or service’s collective workflow and that it operates consistently.
Conclusion
Now you know the key differences between UI/ UX design. If you need either of these when it comes to your products or services, get in touch with us at Screenroot, a leading web design agency, located in the heart of Panaji, at the earliest. Check out our website for examples of our work. To book a consultation and get a quote, call us at 1800 121 5955 or send us an email at [email protected].
