UX/ UI design definitions can vary widely. UX can encompass many processes and theories, and include everything from customer surveys to testing which shade of red performs best on your contact form. UI is more strictly defined as building the practical interface across devices using a systematic and measured processes.
UX | User Experience Design
“User experience (UX) design is the process of creating products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. This involves the design of the entire process of acquiring and integrating the product, including aspects of branding, design, usability, and function.”
One of the principles I really like about UX is embracing “soft skills” like intuition, listening, and even vibes. I think the explosion of interactive designs on screens and off screens and into experiences is indicative of this purposeful and and user-driven design focus is the future.
People want personalized digital experiences, and to feel good interacting with the product, whatever form it takes. Every experience they have with the brand should make them feel good, from the logo to the checkout.
I also like the idea of non-traditional work experience being an asset to creating user-centric design. There are many lessons to be learned about mastering user-experience from previous retail, restaurant, sales, travel, journalism experience. Even industries like real estate, healthcare, politics, and more offer insights to creating a better user experience.
303 Likes, 17 Comments - BRIDGE STUDIOS (@brdgstudios) on Instagram: "Follow Us 👉 @brdgstudios . We design and build creative technology for experiences and..."
Another UX design principle I love is using ethics to define good design. Embracing the idea of solving problems for users, and creating products that solve problems along with simple, eye-catching, functional design. Maybe it’s overly optimistic, but I believe intentional design will solve many current issues that seem intractable now.
Also, bringing formalized UX processes to your client’s projects is a terrific avenue to recording and reporting the research phase of your projects. Being able to have user-defined goals at the beginning of the project is key to managing a client’s expectations and delivering a superior product for the user.
UI | User Interface Design
“User interface (UI) design is the process of making interfaces in software or computerized devices with a focus on looks or style. Designers aim to create designs users will find easy to use and pleasurable. UI design typically refers to graphical user interfaces but also includes others, such as voice-controlled ones.”
While UI is typically defined as building interface prototypes, I believe, like UX, it encompasses more than just the practical development of pleasing design. By incorporating the principles of the UX research discussed above in the design choices the team makes, the UI design team can deliver a product that is friendly and easy to use, which increases the product’s chance of success.
It’s important to me as a designer to work collaboratively across departments like marketing, PR, development, C-suite, and client services. The more information I have, the better my designs will be. So often, you can be 2/3rd of the way through a design process and find out that choices you’ve made as a designer can’t be practically applied due to an incompatibility with other departments’ goals. By constantly collaborating and communicating across disciplines, a designer can speed their turnaround time, and deliver a product to which that the whole team has contributed.
Image Credit Samsad Rashid
No, I didn’t make this, it’s just #goals
Finally, UI is particularly about constantly learning and honing your craft. Our tools improve every day, and for me designing is about honing my craft and learning new skills. The ideal design job, for me, is one where my educational goals intersect with a client’s deliverable goals. Then I get to learn a new platform, or program that will always be another tool in my pocket.
At this point in my career, I know enough to know how much I don’t know. My favorite design experiences are where I can learn through doing, and learn from others.
