The difference between UI and UX design

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KanxeY
KanxeYhttp://kanxey.com
I’m KanxeY, an art lover, animation and illustration enthusiast from Nepal, living in Israel now. I also love to read & write Nepali literature . I work to find little moments of love and translate them into shapes & shades.

1. Definition:

  • UI Design focuses on the look and feel of the product. It deals with the visual aspects and interactive elements of a user interface, like buttons, typography, colors, and layout.
  • UX Design focuses on the overall experience of the user. It ensures the product is usable, accessible, and provides a meaningful journey for the user.

2. Goals:

  • UI Design: Aims to create visually appealing and interactive interfaces. It answers the question: Does this look good? Is it engaging?
  • UX Design: Aims to solve users’ problems and provide value. It answers: Is this easy to use? Does this fulfill the user’s needs?

3. Process:

  • UI Design:
    • Designing visual elements (buttons, icons, forms).
    • Choosing color schemes, fonts, and spacing.
    • Prototyping and ensuring responsiveness.
  • UX Design:
    • Conducting user research (surveys, interviews).
    • Creating user personas and user journeys.
    • Wireframing, usability testing, and iterating.

4. Example:

  • Imagine an e-commerce website.
    • UI: Decides how the “Add to Cart” button looks — its size, color, hover effects, and placement.
    • UX: Ensures the checkout process is smooth — users find products easily, the cart is accessible, and the payment process is straightforward.

5. Tools:

  • UI Designers use tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, or Figma to craft visually appealing interfaces.
  • UX Designers use tools like Miro, Axure, or usability testing platforms to understand and improve user behavior.

Summary:

  • UI is about aesthetics and interaction.
  • UX is about functionality and the user’s journey.

Both work hand-in-hand: a great UI can attract users, but a great UX keeps them coming back!

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