UI and UX are two terms that have a lot in common, yet they represent two different concepts. One thing that unites them is they are both related to software and online platforms. The simple explanation is that the user experience is how the end user will interact with different elements introduced on the platform.
On the other side, the user interface will determine how to use the features that are part of the product, either a website or an app. When undergoing a digital transformation, design is one of the key factors that can help companies outperform their competitors. Learning more about what these two terms represent in practice is very important. Today, we want to shine a light on both of these and provide you with key differences.
Main Features of UX Design
User experience is an important part of development, where the main focus is on the users and how they will interact with various elements on the platform. The main factors related to this process are usability, branding, design, and functions.
The developer has to focus on users and their experience while using the product. The goal is to provide a service or a product that will provide user-friendly features and transparent design. When it comes to the additional features, it depends on the nature of the platform.
The role of the designer is to strategize over the content, deal with testing, analyze the usability of features, and research the experience of end users. The first step is to determine the type of content that you will implement. This process will require proper planning and creation of different types of content like animations, pictures, videos, and texts.
Even though it is not the main role of the designer to make a decision about the content, it is proven to be more efficient and give better results. Factors to consider when deciding about the content are analysis of the market, clients, and main rivals in the same area.
The next step is to analyze the potential solutions and be sure to choose one that will be the most suitable for the content that is presented. Another important part of the process is to use metrics and statistics to check how users react to features. Also, it will be necessary to follow the metrics since that is the best way to determine whether an update is needed.
Main Features of UI Design
UI design is focused on technical features and how visitors can use the integrated options. For example, a slideshow, shopping cart, widget, and more. There is a strong bond with the UX since any sort of issue related to technical features will affect the satisfaction of the user.
The role of the developer is to determine the right design that will follow the elements related to the brand. That is related to the color of the background, fonts, and various additional elements. Also, the designer will have to implement additional options like categories, falling menus, sections, and other clickable options while following the main elements of the website at the same time.
The key is to introduce a platform where the user can easily scroll through all the features and find the desired content without issues. The important factors here are to introduce transparent options, avoid technical issues, and make sure that the content is not disturbed in any way by implemented solutions.
Another very important element is related to the format of the platform and making sure that it is compatible with different devices and screen sizes. For example, it will be a mistake if you don't consider that most users today are using smartphones to research the internet.
What Are the Key Differences?
The simple explanation is that UX stands for the experience of users, while UI is focused on the wide range of features they can use on the platform. Improving the experience means that it will be easier for the user to find a desired product or service on your website, while the design is there to deal with technical features like clickable options, animations, and other elements.
Moreover, there is a difference in the approach. The UX will focus on the content and elements like animations, texts, pictures, and fonts, and also deal with testing and analyzing how users react to all sorts of features. On the other side, UI is there to secure that all technical features are working properly.
The UI is oriented only on technical features, while the UX designer must pay attention to the experience of visitors and how they will react to the content along with various additional elements. The UI is there to secure that all of these features are working properly, and this is not always an easy task.
When we are addressing the skill sets of these professionals, they are both different and similar. The UX designer will have to focus on the needs of clients, along with the current trends, behaviors, standards, and more. Also, it is necessary to rely on research and reviews.
You cannot understand what are the main points before you take a look at the competition. Also, the UX designer is to have advanced problem-solving abilities, experience in using various design tools like Adobe and Sketch, along with advanced communication skills that will help you present the project in the right way.
On the other hand, the UI designer will have to work with the UX expert and implement all the required features. That is related to different elements like the design of the main page, navigation options, frames, and more. Skills that are required experience in visual design, focus on details, and the ability to integrate all elements required by the UX developer.
Summary
The key is to understand that these two roles cannot be separated and that the collaboration between user-experience and user-interface designers is crucial for the proper development of the platform. A lot of people are choosing to learn both of these skills since that is the best way to secure the right design. That will help you choose the right technical features while making sure that users find them attractive and usable.
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