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Understanding UX Design and UI Design
Understanding UX Design and UI Design

 

Design Defined

In an industry that lives for acronyms, it would come as no surprise that most who are not working in technology would be a bit confused as to what UX and UI are, all the while hearing how important they are in your new website, mobile or application going live soon.

In its basic terms, UX Design refers to the term User Experience Design. UI Design on the other hand refers to User Interface Design. Both are crucial to the development and deployment of your project. Where UX Design is more focused on the analytical and technical side, UI Design is more graphic design in scope (the look and feel in the face of your customer).

We discuss below, how important these skills are and how critical to your project your developer team should have these skills. In a society of instant expectations, one extra click, slow response or forcing a user to navigate unnecessarily, will quickly turn an eagerly anticipated launch into an immediate failure.

 

UX - User Experience Design

UX design's focus is in the functionality and process involved in the making of products that supplies a seamless experience for the people who use them. The confusion is understandable as the word 'design' brings to mind graphics, creativity, and colors.

The UX design team are responsible for identifying your target audience, how to make their experience shine. This team has a deep understanding of the functionality, usability and user adaptability ranking priorities for the product. UX designers are focused on digital product development.

  • Strategy and Context
    • Competitor Analysis
    • Customer Analysis
    • Product Structure / Strategy
    • Content Development
  • Wireframing and Prototyping
    • Wireframing
    • Prototyping
    • Testing/Iteration
    • Development Planning
  • Execution and Analysis
    • Coordinates with UX UI designers
    • Coordination with Developers
    • Tracking Goals and Integration
    • Analysis and Iteration

This role is in part, a marketer, designer and project manager. The UX designer has evolved into a complex, multifaceted role. Connecting business goals to users' needs is paramount for this role. There is a continuous process of testing, analysis and refinement completed until both goals and needs achieve or exceed the targets of the project.

 

UI - User Interface Design

It is one thing to design the controls to fly an airplane (UX), it is another thing to lay them out and label them to make flight experience smother for the pilot (UI).

The challenge of UI is great. It simply has to be intuitive to the user. Setting price aside, it is not uncommon for the majority of mobile users to choose Apple phones as a preferred product. The ultimate response when asked why was that Apple phones were more intuitive. Basic responses of 'it just works', 'its easier to use' were most common.

The bottom line is that the more seamless a UI, the more intuitive the product experience becomes.

 

UI Designers role

  • Look and Feel
    • Customer Analysis
    • Design research
    • Branding and Graphic Development
    • User Guides and or Storyline
  • Responsiveness and Interactivity
    • UI Prototyping
    • Interactivity and Animation
    • Adaptation to various device screen sizes
    • Implementation with Developer

It is the goal of the UI design team to create an easy to use, intuitive and satisfied experience. Anywhere the user interacts with the product is a direct connection to the UI design team.