If you’ve used an absolutely delightful mobile app recently it was made possible by UI and UX Designers! So let’s dive into what UI and UX design is and the different between the two.
What is UI and UX Design
UI Design is…
UI design is short for user interface design, and is the design of visual components that users of a digital product interact with.
The user interface is comprised of things like:
- navigation
- images
- text input fields
- sliders
- buttons
It is important for UI Designers to create a visual language that is consistently applied throughout the product, while also keeping in mind the user experience.
For a more comprehensive dive into UI Design, check out this article we wrote that takes an in depth look into UI Design.
UX Design is…
User experience design, or UX design, refers to the flow of a software product and how the user feels when interacting with it.
User experience design is based on having an understanding of what users need, want and value in a product, while also keeping in mind the ease of use, accessibility and efficiency.
UI design is the visual and interactive part of the design, while UX is the whole experience. Click To TweetIn other words, the user interface design is the visual and interactive part of the design, while user experience is the whole experience.
Do UI and UX Design Work Together?
Yes!
While UX Designers are more concerned with how the software flows and feels, UI Designers are concerned with how it looks.
They both need each other to make a successful product.
Consider a mobile application that allows a physician to order medical supplies for their practice. The UX Designers would take great care to ensure the app is credible, accessible and easy to use, while not losing sight of everyone’s needs and goals.
The UI Designers are concerned with the visual appearance of the app and ensuring it’s consistent throughout and true to the businesses brand.
Final Thoughts on UI and UX Design
UI and UX are integral to each other’s success. If your product delivers a poor user experience, but looks great (UI) – it will suffer. How beautiful it is does not matter if the user can’t complete basic tasks or feels frustrated using the product.
The same can be said for a great user experience (UX) with a poor UI. Users may be turned away by it looking untrustworthy, amateurish or generally unappealing.
As an app design company, Big Fish understands and executes the nuances of user interface and user experience design in ways that a graphic designer does not. Start the conversation today and let us help you with your UI and UX design needs.
