Difference Between UX and UI Design

UX and UI are two terms that we often see them together but they mean two different things.

But first what do UX and UI mean?

UX stand for User Experience, while UI stand for User Interface. Both are vital to any product and complete each other.

Before we list the difference between UX and UI let’s first define each one of them:

What is User Experience (UX) Design?

User experience design is a human-first approach of designing a product. User Experience (UX) combines all the aspects and the elements of the end user interaction with the final product. So you noticed that this definition didn’t mention anything related to software or the digital world, regardless of is medium, User Experience (UX) combines any and all the interactions between the active user and the product.

As an abstract scientific process User Experience (UX) can be applied to almost anything! Books, vehicles, cloths and so on.

However, despite being a scientific term, its use since inception has been almost entirely within digital fields; one reason for this being that the software industry started blowing up around the time of the term’s invention.

User Experience (UX) can be applied to anything that can be experienced. User Experience (UX) considers all the different aspects that shape this experience. A User Experience (UX) designer thinks about how the experience makes the user feel, and how easy it is for the user to accomplish their desired tasks. The ultimate purpose of User Experience (UX) design is to create easy, efficient, relevant, and all-round pleasant experiences for the user.

Here’s what you need to know about UX design:

• User Experience (UX) design is the process of developing and improving the quality of interaction between a user and all facets of a company.
• User Experience (UX) design is, in theory, a non-digital (cognitive science) practice, but used and defined predominantly by digital industries.
• UX design is NOT about visuals; it focuses on the overall feel of the experience.

What is User Interface (UI) Design?

User interface design is a digital term. A user interface is the point of interaction between the user and a digital device or product such as the touchscreen on your smartphone, or the touchpad you use to select what kind of coffee you want from the coffee machine.

In relation to websites and apps, UI design considers the look, feel, and interactivity of the product. It’s all about making sure that the user interface of a product is as intuitive as possible, and that means carefully considering each and every visual, interactive element the user might encounter.

A UI designer will think about icons and buttons, typography and color schemes, spacing, imagery, and responsive design.

Like user experience design, user interface design is a multi-faceted and challenging role. It is responsible for the transference of a product’s development, research, content and layout into an attractive, guiding and responsive experience for users.

Before we consider the main differences between UX and UI, let’s quickly recap on what user interface (UI) design is all about:

• User interface design is a purely digital practice. It considers all the visual, interactive elements of a product interface—including buttons, icons, spacing, typography, color schemes, and responsive design.
• The goal of UI design is to visually guide the user through a product’s interface. It’s all about creating an intuitive experience that doesn’t require the user to think too much!
• UI design transfers the brand’s strengths and visual assets to a product’s interface, making sure the design is consistent, coherent, and aesthetically pleasing.

Now we have a clear-cut definition of both UX and UI, let’s consider the key differences between the two.

What is the difference between UX and UI design?

UX	UI
UX is a Human First Approach to product design	UI is a Human First Approach to designing the aesthetic experience of a product
Can be applied for physicals and digital products	can be applied for digital products only
UX focus is on the full experience from a user’s first touch to the last	UI focus is on visual touchpoints that allow users to interact with a product
UX creates structural design solutions for pain points that users encounter anywhere along their journey with the product	UI creates combination of typography color palettes, buttons, animations and imagery
UX result in products that delight users with their effectiveness	UI result in products that delight users aesthetically