How to Spot the Difference Between UI and UX Design

One of the most common misconceptions when it comes to people looking to hire a UI & UX designer, is that they think it’s one in the same.

As with many technical terms such as Web Development vs Web Design, Front End vs Back End Development, and now UX vs UI Design, the latter provides different functionalities that the other may not necessarily provide.

In layman’s term, you could say that one is the photographer while the other is the muse.

The photographer ensures that the lighting is just right, the backdrop, the angle, etc. Basically, taking care of the technical aspects to ensure that he can seize that picture-perfect moment to the fullest.

The muse is his model. She provides the emotion that the photographer wishes for her to convey. She accomplishes this by making use of her facial expressions, movements, her clothes, make-up, hair, etc. This completes the “look and feel” that will eventually captivate their audience.

To put it bluntly, the difference between UI and UX Design is that the UX design is more on the technical aspect of things, which accomplishes valuable tasks across all platforms and services; whereas UX design creates aesthetically appealing interfaces that produces emotions to help humans connect with the product.

In short, one cannot exist without the other – like a tea bag without hot water.

That’s pretty much the gist of it, but to be more specific, below are some of the main differences.

Main Differences Between UI and UX

Procedure. UX Design comes first…. most often than not.

When it comes to the difference between UX Designer and UI Designer pertaining to the process flow of the digital product creation, it is the job of the UX Designer to figure out how to solve specific dilemmas that a user may encounter when it comes to the application of the product.

This means that the UX Designer typically creates personas that represent their target audience. Once they have solved the issues that could potentially occur, they can begin to develop a prototype which will then be tested.

Once the prototype has been developed, a UI Designer can produce design solutions than will then be evaluated against the requirements.

This is the reason why UX design is done first, followed by the UI design. Although this isn’t always the case, this scenario does help you understand as to why this is the typical flow in the creation of a digital product.

Design Strengths and Principles

UX Design is focused on the conceptual aspects of the design process. Their main task is to ensure that the interface is useful with a goal to meet all their objectives.

UI Design is based on more tangible elements that makes the interface beautiful. Their main goal is to reel in users through their design which is intended to create authentic emotional responses.

Expertise

In terms of specialization, UX Design is focused on development planning, prototyping, research, wireframing and testing as well as iteration. Other tasks include the Execution & Analysis of the product, as well as the product’s Responsiveness & Interactivity.

Most UX designers may also take on the role of being a Content Strategist, Functional Analyst, Information Architect and Program Manager.

UI Design is more on graphics, layouts and mockups. Other tasks that UX Designers might take on includes brand design, frontend development, graphic design and web design.

Making the Differentiation

Some might say that there is no difference between user interface and user experience given that these two disciplines are not comparable to one another.

The reason for this is because some experts believe that UI is a part of UX – meaning a UI cannot exist without the skeletal framework of a UX Design. While this might be true, both skill sets are still quite different from one another, and if someone claims to be highly competent in both, chances are, they are probably not an expert in either one.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to your standards when it comes your product’s quality, and of course your budget.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective way of developing your digital products without sacrificing quality, there are several ways to go about this, which we discussed in our previous article on finding the right web design and development company for your business.

If you find it appealing and would like to try outsourcing some of your IT-related project to experts, feel free to contact Outsourced, a leading outsourcing company today.