UI Design vs. UX: What's the difference?
Tags: uiuxdesignservices, uiuxdesignagency, uiuxdevelopmentservices, uiuxdevelopmentcompany
Published: 2024-03-19 04:23:56



User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are two words you hear mentioned frequently in technology circles (and sometimes interchangeably). But what do these terms really mean and what does it mean to be a [UI UX design services](https://www.sparkouttech.com/ui-ux-development/).

User interface refers to the screens, buttons, switches, icons, and other visual elements that you interact with when using a website, application, or other electronic device. UX refers to the entire interaction you have with a product, including how you feel about the interaction. Although the user interface can influence the user experience, the two are different, as are the roles designers play.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at how the roles of UX designer and UI designer overlap and differ , and how to know which one you should choose. Lastly, we'll talk about options for getting started , even if you don't have a degree or prior experience.



Developing a product that people like usually requires both a good UI and a good UX. For example, you can have a banking app that looks great and has intuitive navigation (UI). But if the app loads slowly or forces you to click through numerous screens to transfer money (UX), no matter how good it looks—you probably won't want to use it.

On the other hand, a website can be loaded with unique and useful content, organized in a logical and intuitive way. But if it looks dated or you can't easily figure out how to switch from screen to screen or scroll through options, you're likely to abandon the site.


Tasks and responsibilities: What do they do?

Both UI and UX designers play key roles in the product development cycle. Let's take a look at each of them.

UX designers focus their work on the experience the user has with a product. The goal is to create products that are functional, accessible and enjoyable to use. Although the term UX is often applied to digital products, it can also be applied to non-digital products and services (e.g. a coffee maker or a transportation system). Typical tasks of a UX designer may include:

Conduct user research to identify goals, needs, behaviors, and pain points related to a product interaction.

Develop user personas based on target customers.

Create user journey maps to analyze how a customer interacts with a product.

Build wireframes and prototypes to refine the look of the final product.

Conduct user testing to validate design decisions and identify problems.

Collaborate with stakeholders, UI designers, and developers.

Read more: What does a UX designer do?

UI designers create the graphical parts of mobile applications, websites and devices, that is, the elements with which the user interacts directly. Unlike UX, which can be applied to almost any product or service, the term UI applies exclusively to digital products. A user interface designer tries to make applications and websites visually appealing and easy to navigate. The most common tasks of a user interface designer include:

Organize page layouts.

Choose color palettes and fonts.

Design interactive elements, such as scrollers, buttons, switches, drop-down menus, and text fields.

Make high-fidelity schematics and designs to show what the final design will look like.

Work closely with developers to turn designs into a functional product.
Is there a UI/UX designer?
If you search for UX on job posting websites, you'll likely find companies looking for UI/UX designers. Some companies sometimes look for candidates with both skill sets. But often when you start to look closer at these listings, you'll find that the paper leans more toward one than the other. 

When it comes time to start looking for a job, pay more attention to the list of tasks or qualifications than to the specific job title.

Skills

UI and UX designers have some skills in common, but each role requires its own set of skills.

Education

Although a degree isn't always necessary to get a job as a UX or UI designer, having one can open up new opportunities. Only a few universities offer specific UI/UX programs. UX designers can earn a degree in computer science, psychology, human-computer interaction, or design. User interface designers, meanwhile, can earn a degree in digital design, graphic design, or interaction design.

Salary

According to Talent.com, UX designers in Mexico earn an average salary of $240,000 (MXN) per year. That figure was $204,000 (MXN) for UI designers [ 1 ]. Your salary can depend on many factors, such as your location, your industry, your experience and your training.

How can I know if the UI or UX is right for me?
Both UI and UX design are well-paying and in-demand careers. What you choose will depend on your goals and interests. If you're interested in technology, like variety, and love solving problems, user experience design may be a good fit. If you are a creative thinker with a strong aesthetic sense, consider getting into user interface design.

If you're still not sure whether the UI or UX is best for you, consider the following actions:

Take a class of each to experience them for yourself.

Read blogs or listen to popular podcasts about UI/UX to hear from experts in each field.

Contact industry professionals on LinkedIn for an informational interview.

Join some online design communities to ask them related questions.

Other User Experience Features
The field of UX extends beyond the two roles of UI and UX designers. If you're interested in a career in UI/UX, consider these other related roles as well.

As a UX researcher , you will study the goals, needs, wants, and pain points of a product's existing users and target users.

As a UX writer , you'll write the text that appears on websites, apps, and other digital products.

As an interaction designer , you will focus on how users interact with digital products in a holistic context.

As a developer, you'll take designs from [UI UX design services ](https://www.sparkouttech.com/ui-ux-development/) and code them into usable software, websites, or apps.

As a product designer , you will direct the entire process of taking a product or service from idea to reality.

As a content strategist , you will oversee the planning and production of marketing content throughout the lifecycle of a project.