UI vs UX : Understanding the Key Differences

The fate of any software is predominantly decided by the ease of navigation and quality of user experience. UI/UX design is thus a crucial aspect of any product that aims to make its way into the lives of users. In this blog, we would look at UI vs UX.

But basics first!  

What is UI?   

UI is short for User Interface. It refers to the screens, widgets, icons, toggles, images, sliders, and other interactive/visual elements that a user interacts with while using a digital product.   

UI design is the interface that the user engages with and forms an experience. Thus, these elements should build a fluid, seamless experience for a user, for the product to be successful.   

What is UX?   

UX is short for User Experience. The term was coined by a cognitive scientist, Don Norman, back in the early 90s.   

A product of improvements in UI, UX refers to the entire interaction a user has with the product and how that interaction felt. The interactions could be either positive, negative, or neutral.   

UX design is hence the process of developing products or services that offer positive, and meaningful experiences to users. And the app’s structure, functionality, organization, and how its different elements work together, all depend upon the skills of a UX designer.   

While UI can certainly have an impact on UX, and both terms are used interchangeably, the two are distinct, as are the roles and responsibilities of the designers.  

What’s the Difference Between UX and UI Design?  

UI and UX design work in synergy to create a product that’s both, appealing to the eyes and easy to use and navigate. The absence of even one can make a user lose interest in the product instantly.   

Therefore, while UI and UX designers work very closely with each other in the product development cycle, they have different roles to play and skills to acquire. While they might work in close association, the two concepts are different at the root.   

We would look at the difference between UI vs UX by categorizing them into: 

1. Conceptual Differences 

In simpler terms, it is how the interaction feels to a user.  

2. Role and Responsibility Differences 

Following are the roles and responsibilities of a UI and UX designer: 

Roles of a UI Designer 

1. Visual designer; designs buttons, icons, and animations  

2. Responsible for choosing typography and color palettes and schemes  

3. Plans visual aesthetics and styles  

4. Creates graphics, mock-ups, and layouts  

Roles of a UX Designer

1. Interaction designer  

2. Determines the user pathway  

3. Plans information infrastructure of the product  

4. Creates wireframes and testable prototypes and undertakes research 

3. Differences in Skills Required 

Role of UI and UX Designers in The Product Development Process  

UI and UX designers play a very crucial role in the product development process. 

Following steps are taken by them throughout the design and development process: 

1. Work begins with research. So, the UX designers/researchers undertake user research.   

2. The UX designer and business stakeholders together create the product idea   

3. The UX designer plans the information architecture and creates wireframes. Then, low-fidelity prototypes are created.   

4. The UX designer carries out some of the initial user testing.   

5. Then begins the role of a UI designer. He/she determines visual and interactive components of the product such as color scheme, typography, icons, and animations (if needed).   

6. Then he/she creates interactive, high-fidelity prototypes to initiate further testing.   

7. The final design is then handed over to the developers, who then bring the product to life.   

Conclusion

Thus, although these two terms are mistaken to be the same, they have some minor fundamental differences. The designers pursuing UI and UX skills work closely to provide users with a product that has high usability whilst being aesthetically pleasing.   

While UI is all about designing the visual components of a digital product, UX is about how these components work in harmony with each other to give a user the best and most suitable experience. One facilitates the interaction, and the other ensures that the interaction leaves a user with a pleasant experience.    

Thus, UI and UX are two peas in a pod, with minor UI vs Ux differences!   

How Can BigOh Help?   

BigOhTech, a leading name in the IT and Tech industry specializes in creating the most stunning, interactive, and practical UI/UX designs for digital products.   

Our dedicated development team consists of highly skilled UI/UX designers who are adept at creative and critical thinking as well as have impressive designing skills.    

Our UI/UX design services include UX research, UI and UX design, usability testing, etc. We also offer UI/UX design review services and help businesses develop the most practical products!  

Need UI/UX design services? Get in touch with us today!  

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