The difference between UX and UI Design
UX and UI are very different concepts even though they are often used interchangeably. This can be confusing because people tend to think that they are the same thing.
Let’s consider an analogy to understand it better. Image that you are creating an application from scratch and you are working on the button of the home screen.
- UX would ask: Do we really need this button? If so, what should be its position?
- UI would consider: What should be the color of this button?
Despite being different concepts, both elements are crucial to product design and work closely together. In fact, you can’t have one without the other but they constitute separate roles with different processes and tasks.
As Dain Miller said:
“UI is the saddle, the stirrups, and the reins. UX is the feeling you get being able to ride the horse.”
In this article, we will explore the differences between these terms.
What is User Interface Design?
User Interface Design refers to the design of the user interface for devices with a focus on maximizing efficiency and aesthetics to facilitate usability and to improve the user experience. It is an interdisciplinary field that involves people from different areas like graphic design, programmers, psychologists and even anthropologists. The user interface is what the users see when they use the computer or the smartphone. So, whatever you see on the screen can be defined as a user interface.
The starting point for UX/UI designers is to put users at the center of everything they do. Successful designs are able to anticipate what the users might do as they interact with a mobile application or website. Therefore, UI designers pay attention to the visual part and decide aspects like how certain buttons will look and what are the right colours to use.
You may also like “5 reasons to become a UX/UI Designer“
What is User Experience Design?
User Experience Design refers to the process of creating products that are useful and practical for users. It refers to everything that affects the user’s interactions with the product, involving the entire process of acquiring and integrating the product. UX is about the technical use of a product, including its physical interface.
UX Designers work on the structure of the interface, the functionality and the navigation. Usually, they come from a variety of backgrounds too, including programming, psychology and interaction design among others.
The Master’s Degree in UX/UI Design
At Nuclio Digital School, we have created the Master in UX/UI Design to provide students with the fundamentals of “User Centered Design”, from learning how to do a good research, establish digital product strategies, design the user experience and the interface and finally validate the design with real users. At the end of the course, students will have career opportunities as UX Designers, UX Researchers and UI Designers.
The program is addressed to designers, entrepreneurs, marketing specialists, audiovisual communication, advertisers or developers who want to change paths or complement their knowledge. Beginner profiles, with or without prior design or technical experience willing to start in the world of UX/UI Design.
Discover the UX/UI Design Master with Ethan Parry, Member of the Adobe XDI International team and Program Director of the Master.
If you are willing to start a career in the UX/UI Design field, find out more about our UX/UI Design Master.