Two terms, often overlapped: UX and UI
User Interface
If you wanted to use a computer in the 1970s, you had to use the command-line interface. Graphical user interfaces, as we know them today, did not yet exist commercially.
To use a computer, users had to communicate using a programming language, which required seemingly infinite lines of code and apt knowledge to complete a simple task.
By the 1980s, computer scientists at Xerox PARC had created the first graphical user interface (GUI). Users could now interact with the computers by visually submitting commands via icons, buttons, menus, and checkboxes thanks to this ground-breaking advancement.
After some time, Apple released the Macintosh personal computer in 1984, which included a point-and-click mouse. The first commercially successful home computer to use this type of interface was the Macintosh.
Because of the ease of use and prevalence of personal—and office—computers, interfaces had to be designed with users in mind. Users would not buy PCs anymore if they couldn't interact with their computers.
And that’s how User Interface Design was born.
As with any evolving technology, the role of the user interface design has progressed as systems, preferences, expectations, and accessibility have sought a little more from machines.
While working at Apple in the 1990s, Don Norman helped coin the term "User Experience." In a video interview at the UX Conference in San Francisco, he explained that UX is about the entire experience that the user has with the product, the company, and the services.
Everything from the perception of customer service to the ease with which the product can be removed from the package.
Think of your home.
The physical structure – the coding – of the house is its framing. The electrical system, plumbing, all contribute to the house's functionality – the user experience. The window hardware, doorknobs, faucets, and paint are the user interfaces through which the homeowner interacts with the house and enjoys it.
In that case, the two are distinct entities. They are dependent on one another, but there is little overlap.
If UX design is only concerned with the functionality of the house, then UX design must come first, with UI design following after UX.
The Difference
User Experience Design prioritizes the user and takes into account the overall feel of interactions and experiences with a product.
UX design entails problem-solving in order to determine how to make experiences and interactions as valuable to the user as possible. What emotions does it elicit in the user? How simple or difficult is it for the user to complete tasks?
User research is a systematic process used in UX design to understand how a brand's design affects its target users. It is used to recognize the expectations, behaviors, experiences, and motivations of users in order to solve their problems.
The visual interactive experience of the user, such as tapping a button or swiping through images, is the focus of User Interface Design. What happens when a user clicks or taps on something? User interface design fosters an emotional connection with the user and contributes to a product's presentation, look, and feel.
Do you want to solidify your UI design?
With the help of our experts, we’ve listed down our Top 10 UI Design Trends for 2021.
The primary goal of user experience design is to provide the user with a hassle-free experience that ensures optimal functionality and satisfaction whereas, user interface design helps make user interaction as easy and efficient as possible.
UX and UI are not areas to cut corners in. Regardless of definitions and labor divisions, they are both critical components of product development and delivery. According to research, customer experience drives revenue growth.
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Coming back to our topic, designers must keep several different user roles in mind when focusing on product design. There are several possibilities where your design might need new ideas, quick fixes, reiterations, and more.
Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here’s a list of 8 quick tips and tricks to make your UI design more efficient.
What did we learn?
So, up until now, we’ve gained a clear idea of what does UX and UI mean. Here are a few points to help you summarize the facts.
UX design is concerned with identifying and resolving user problems, whereas UI design is focused on creating intuitive, aesthetically pleasing, interactive interfaces.
UX design comes first in the product development process, followed by UI. The user journey is mapped out by the UX designer, who is then filled in with visual and interactive elements by the UI designer.
UX can refer to any type of product, service, or experience, whereas UI is limited to digital products and experiences.
Takeaway
This is just the tip of the iceberg. UX and UI design knowledge is limitless.
Design is our expertise without a doubt, but working on different products, experimenting with multiple ideas has made us realize that design is ever-evolving. It’s a journey.
If you need further clarification and information, head to our blog section or visit our dribbble profile for amazing product designs.
Or, if you have a product idea and are looking for a perfect team to work with - you’re at the right place.
Drop us a quick mail, or contact us directly - we’re all ears for brilliant ideas. See you!