UI & UX What’s the Difference

Similar, yet Different

UI / UX, they are similar yet they are different, think of them as fraternal twins. Imagine UX as the doctor of the body, therefore, maintaining the overall health of the body. On the other hand, UI brings on the sexy and keeps the body looking fine. Clear as mud, right?

Woman and man are fraternal twins. They look similar yet they are different.

UI UX similar, yet different

It's Confusing

To further complicate matters, depending on whom you ask, UX and UI are either wholly separate, or they overlap. Or UI is a subset of UX.  Let’s untangle the madness and take a closer look at the differences between the two.

Woman with hand to head looking at computer in bewilderment
UI UX can be confusing

UX

UX stands for user experience. The UX designer will build a relationship between the company, its products and their customers.  They will concentrate on the Why, What & How of the product use. 

The letters UX together - this stands for user experience
UX stands for user experience

UX & Users Unite

For example, people may visit your site for research. They will want to know what is the best kind of cat for their home. Perhaps they are looking for a great companion for their small apartment lifestyle.  In this scenario, the UX designer might research people that are cat lovers. Figuring out what is important to them, they will find out what is of value to the cat lover.  

Cat is sitting on computer keyboard staring at the screen.
UX may help you find your next pet

UX Designs go to User Interface

The UX designer will ask questions and observe reactions. UX makes prototypes and performs testing thus validating their business and product value propositions.  The UX designer will likely design the user flows as well as the steps that a user would take to move through the web site. As an end result, the design is then passed off to the UI designer.

Hand is working on UX designs on white board
Completed UX designs go to UI

UI

UI stands for user interface. The user interface deals with visual design, the look, the feel of the site. 

computer tablet shows attractive colors
UI creates the look

Buttons & Icons

For example the UI designer will design the buttons, icons on your site so they are appealing.  When the user clicks the button the UI designer might make sure it changes in a way so the user knows they were successful in moving into the next task they selected. 

buttons and icons sample display used on the internet
UI creates buttons and icons

Hand in Hand for Best Experience

The UI designer will choose a color scheme and typography that will be both visually appealing and simple to use.  The color choices, typography are not based on the UI designer’s personal preference. The choices are based on the clearly articulated reasons specific to the personas developed by the UX designer. 

UX and UI join hands as they work together
UX & UI work hand in hand

Conclusion

To conclude, what our fraternal twins do, the UX designer helps users successfully navigate across platforms. In contrast, the UI designer makes compelling and aesthetically pleasing interfaces. Together, the UX and UI team, design the interfaces that connect with human beings. 

circles overlapping one another with UX and UI in middle
UX & UI similar yet different
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