UI UX

UI vs. UX Design: Understanding the Difference

Written by Karin Kelley
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Updated on August 21, 2024

Anyone looking to work in digital design must know the difference between User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX). These are two commonly confused terms in the industry, but each has its unique focus.

This guide will explain UI vs. UX design and explore their key functions, showing how they work together to make great digital products. If you want to begin your career on the right track and know whether UI or UX might be better for you, read on.

For those who want to fast-track their web design career, we will also offer a peek into a UI UX bootcamp to take your skills to the next level.

What is UI Design?

UI stands for user interface. In simpler terms, it’s everything you see and interact with on a digital product, like a website or an app. Think of it as the control panel you use to operate something that has various elements, including:

Screens
Buttons
Forms
Menus
Toggles
Images and Icons
Colors and Text Fonts
Layout and Spacing

Generally, UI focuses on the product’s look and feel. A well-designed UI is easy to use, intuitive, and visually appealing.

Also Read: The UI UX Design Process: Everything You Need to Know

What Makes a Great User Interface (UI)?

Imagine you’ve poured your heart and soul into designing an app, but when people try to use it, they get lost and frustrated. That’s where a great UI comes in!

A well-designed UI makes it effortless for users to find what they need and get things done. They won’t waste time getting lost, which implies they will have a positive experience and enjoy using your product. It’s like the difference between a house that’s easy to navigate and a confusing maze.

And do you know what? People tend to stick around for longer when something is enjoyable to use. Think about your favorite website you love to browse. Chances are it is visually attractive and easy to navigate, right? That’s good UI at work, keeping you engaged and eager to discover more.

But a good UI isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also about inclusivity. A thoughtful UI considers the needs of all users, including those with disabilities, ensuring everyone has a smooth and practical experience using your product.

In short, remember that a good UI is like the magic ingredient that takes it from good to great. It creates happy users, keeps them engaged, and makes your product accessible to everyone.

What is UX Design?

UX stands for user experience. It encompasses all aspects of a user’s interaction with a product or service. It’s about crafting the entire user journey, understanding what users need, and creating a seamless experience.

In short, think of UI as the stage set for a play and UX as the entire play itself. This analogy helps clarify the concept of UI vs UX: the UI is what the user sees and interacts with, but UX is the whole experience, from when the user starts using the product to when they finish. It goes beyond just the look and feel of a product.

Also Read: UX Metrics: What Matters When Measuring User Experience

What Makes a Great UX?

A great UX is all about focusing on users’ needs, behaviors, and motivations to create a product that is not only functional but also enjoyable to use. It should be intuitive and easy to learn, even for first-time users. Here are some signs of a great UX:

Users can quickly find what they’re looking for and complete tasks efficiently
A well-designed UX efficiently meets users’ needs, leaving them satisfied and returning for more
Users feel confident and in control when they use the product
The product is accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities

UI vs. UX: How Do They Work Together?

UI and UX design are like two pieces of a puzzle that align to create a great product. Here’s a simple way to understand how they work together:

Planning and Research

First, UX designers learn what users need and want from a product. They gather insights through interviews and surveys. This research helps them create a smooth and satisfying user journey.

Wireframes to Mockups

Next, UX designers create basic layouts called wireframes. These are blueprints of the product that outline its structure and functionality. Then, UI designers add style to these wireframes to create detailed images called mockups.

Prototyping and Usability Testing

After that, both UX and UI designers work together to build early versions of the product called prototypes. They test these prototypes with real users, observing how they interact with the product and gathering feedback.

Iterating and Improving

Based on the feedback, the designers make changes to solve issues and improve the product. UX designers focus on fixing how it works, while UI designers improve how it looks.

Final Product

Finally, they deliver the final product that not only looks good but also provides a great user experience.

In summary, while UX design ensures that the product provides a smooth user journey, UI design assures the product is attractive and easy to interact with. The difference between UI and UX lies in their focus. Together, they create products that are not only useful but also enjoyable to use.

Also Read: What is UX Writing? Why It Matters, Tools, and Career Skills

Why Do Recruiters Combine UX/UI Roles in Job Postings?

Recruiters often combine UX and UI roles for a few reasons:

Blurring Lines: The differences between UI and UX are often unclear in the industry.
Versatility: Companies, especially startups or smaller teams, look for designers who can handle both UX and UI. These designers are called UI/UX generalists.
Efficiency: Having one person manage both UX and UI can streamline the design process.
Adaptability: A designer with skills in both areas is seen as more adaptable and valuable in the job market.

Key Differences Between UI vs. UX

Here’s a table summarizing the key differences between UI and UX design:

Aspect	UI	UX
Roles and Responsibilities	Focuses on the product’s appearance, ensuring it’s visually appealing and intuitive for users. This involves designing each screen or page (website/app) with buttons, icons, and layout elements.	Focuses on the user’s overall experience, ensuring seamless and enjoyable interactions across the product. It involves research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing.
Skills	Proficiency in graphic design, typography, color theory, and prototyping tools (e.g., Sketch, Adobe XD)	Requires empathy, user research, information architecture, usability testing, analytical thinking, and proficiency in UX tools (e.g., Axure, InVision, Photoshop, and Figma)
Education and Qualification	Typically requires a degree or certification in Graphic Design, Web Design, or other UI- related disciplines	Often holds degrees in HCI (Human-Computer Interaction), Psychology, or Design, or has experience in UX-related disciplines.
Salary Range	The average salary for a UI designer in the US is $90,944 per year. Entry-level or junior-level designers can earn around $44,869 annually, with senior roles reaching $114,227 or more.	Entry-level UX designers start around $60,000 annually, with senior UX designers and UX managers potentially earning over $127,327
Examples	Examples include designing icons, buttons, menus, icons, and color schemes.	Examples include conducting research (gathering insights into who will use the product, their goals, and behaviors), creating user personas, and developing wireframes and prototypes to enhance the user journey.

Also Read: A Look at 10 Great UX Portfolio Examples

UI vs. UX: Which Career Path to Choose?

Deciding between UI and UX design can be challenging, but it comes down to your interests and strengths.

UI might be perfect if you love creating visually appealing and user-friendly designs. On the other hand, if you enjoy research and love to improve how users interact with products, UX might be the better choice.

Explore this online UI UX program for thorough training in both fields to help you make an informed decision.

Tips for Aspiring UI Designers

Here are some of the things you should keep in mind for good user interface design:

Learn the basics of design: Understand key design principles. These include color theory, typography, and layout.
Practice consistency: Make sure that similar design elements behave and look the same.
Make it Easy to Use: Prioritize ease of use for a happy user experience. You sould be clear about how to use the UI to achieve your goals. For example, if you’re on a shopping website, the UI should make finding the products you want easy. Then, it should be easy to add them to your cart.
Always Think Like a User: When designing the UI, put yourself in the user’s shoes. Pretend you’re using the app or website you’re creating. Can you find what you need quickly? Is it easy to navigate? If yes, then you’re on the right track.
Stay on Top of Your Game: The world of UI design is constantly evolving. So, keep learning. Explore new trends to stay fresh and informed about the latest design practices.

Tips for Aspiring UX Designers

Here are some of the tips you should keep in mind as a beginner in UX design:

Learn the basics of UX: Get a handle on the typical UX design process, which usually involves user research, information architecture, interaction design, prototyping, and testing.
Focus on Empathy: Use a Customer-Centric Approach and ask yourself, “How will this make the user feel?” to create intuitive designs.
Practice Consistently: The best way to learn UX design is to do it. Start by redesigning existing apps or websites. Focus on improving the user experience.
Become an Everyday Critic: Analyze the apps and websites you use. Why are they designed this way? How could they be improved?
Get Feedback and Edit: In UX, there’s no such thing as a perfect design. So, feel free to share your work and get feedback from other designers and potential users. Use this feedback to improve your designs.
Never Stop Learning: Stay updated on the latest UX trends, tools, and best practices by reading blogs and attending intensive training programs like our UI UX training program.

Bonus Tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun! UX design is a creative field, so let your imagination run wild while keeping the user in mind.

Remember, UX is about creating human-centered products. These tips are just a starting point, but they’ll give you a solid foundation for your UX design journey. Keep at it, practice consistently, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful UX designer.

Also Read: UI UX Portfolio Tips: How to Showcase Your Work and Skills

Sharpen Your UI/UX Design Skills

Successful UI/UX designers don’t just possess technical skills, they also have empathy for users and a desire to create sleek-looking, enjoyable products. By understanding the distinct roles of UI vs. UX, you can decide which path is best for you.

The good news is there’s a wealth of free resources online to get you started. These courses can be a fantastic starting point, especially if you’re new to the industry. However, if you’re serious about launching a fulfilling UI/UX design career, consider enrolling in this intensive UI/UX bootcamp.

This intensive training program covers all essential UI and UX design aspects, from user research and wireframing to visual design and prototyping. You’ll work on real-world projects, receive personalized feedback from industry experts, and build a portfolio that will make you stand out in the job market.

FAQs

Are UI and UX the same?

No, UI and UX are two distinct but complementary aspects of design. UI focuses on the visual elements and user interface, while UX focuses on the user experience.

Is it better to be a UX or UI Designer?

There’s no single “better” option. It depends on your strengths and preferences.

Do you enjoy creative problem-solving and making things visually appealing? UI design might be a great fit.
Are you analytical and enjoy digging into user research and data? UX design could be your calling.

Many professionals find success specializing in either UI or UX. However, a foundational understanding of both areas can be highly valuable, especially in smaller companies or freelance work.

What comes first, UI or UX?

UX design typically comes first. The UX designer researches and defines the user journey and creates wireframes to establish the product’s functionality and information architecture. Then comes the UI design. The UI designer takes those blueprints and creates the visual interface.