Web design vs UI and UX design
Tags: design, ui, ux, webdesign
Published: 2022-08-25 07:42:07

---
title: Web design vs UI and UX design
published: true
date: 2022-07-31 12:12:25 UTC
tags: #design #UI #UX #webdesign
canonical_url: https://devwithlanie.hashnode.dev/web-design-vs-ui-and-ux-design
---
![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/h5phmia7z7hixidsg2pu.png)
Job description these days lists out skills under one design field for another. Clients expect a designer in one field to have experience in another, when the job title states otherwise. This causes misunderstanding in job applications.

Design is a term web design and UI/UX design have in common, as a result they are easily confused. Under observation they overlap, but within the design umbrella, they play different roles. UI means User interface, while UX means User experience.

This article covers simplified definitions of each field, their required skill sets, and their differences.

## What is UX design?

![hand touching a pin on a board holding wireframes](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1659224118915/WppuInq5y.jpg)

In simple terms, UX design is a process of designing from the user's perspective. It takes the needs and objectives of the end-user into account by offering great experiences with products, either digital or physical.

UX design is not limited to websites only contrary to web design. As the term implies, it centers around experience which can apply to physical products.

### The design process is not limited to but follow this pattern:

- **Research:** This includes understanding the user with respect to their emotions and behaviors. Research in User personas and creating solutions to typical issues users would experience with the product.

- **Brainstorming:** This is where user flow ( steps users take in performing tasks with the product) and wireframing comes in. It aims to provide easy usability with the product.

- **Implementation** : At this stage UI design takes place. Notice how UI design becomes a subset of UX design?, well this is the case in hierarchy. It involves putting the research and brainstorming to work.

- **Reporting:** Analytics happen at this stage, including data on task performance duration, tests on accessibility and more.

It doesn't end at reporting, after the analysis, more work goes into making the experience better. Brainstorming, implementation and reporting becomes a cycle when new ways to improve experience are discovered.

## Technical skills necessary for UX design:

- Prototyping and Wireframing
- Information architecture
- Basic Knowledge of HTML, CSS and Javascript
- UX writing
- User Research and usability testing
- Visual design
- Knowledge of Design Software

## What is User Interface (UI) design?

![people working on a wireframe with a phone, pens and paper](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1659224158067/_HRpzm_5m.jpg)

UI design is the process of designing the appearance and accessibility of a digital product. These digital products include websites, software programs, mobile applications, and other interactive platforms.

Like UX design, it involves designs with the end-users in mind. It focuses on the user's visual experience and interactivity with the product. It implements the information and research garnered in UX design. By using colors, illustrations, images and more to create. It's responsible for bringing the UX design to life.

It follows a different approach to UX. Starting with sketching and ending with prototyping.

### Listed below are UI design formats:

- [Graphical User Interface (GUI)](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphical_user_interface)
- [Voice-controlled Interface (VUI)](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_user_interface)
- [Gesture-based Interface](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/gesture-interface)

## Technical Skills necessary for UI design:

- Branding, Typography and Color theory
- Interaction Design Principles
- User research and peronas
- Wireframing and Prototyping
- Style guides

## What is UI/UX design?

![people working on a wireframe with a laptop](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1659224500839/1rBVOMoJJ.jpg)

This is the best of both worlds for the _user-centric_ aspect of design. UI/UX design is the combination of User interface and experience design. Equal knowledge of usability, interactivity and aesthetics.

Where UI design focuses on the look of a product, UX design focuses on the feel of the product, when combined then they focus on the experience and interface.

When it comes to design, UI and UX are often placed together even though both can exist apart. When a role requires both skill sets, then "UI/UX design" title is preferable.

As expected the tech skills necessary would be a combination of UI and UX design skills.

## What is Web design?

![a monitor displaying a website design](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1659223548331/YRUBW3cFk.jpg)

Web design is the process of planning and designing the elements of a website. These elements are the visual and interactive features on the website. Visual features include images, typography, colors, and more.

Web design usually follows more of an aesthetic approach than accessibility. With web design, the color of a button matters more than how it's located. It also focuses on information layout and web page flow.

UI/UX design can be found under Web design, it might be an umbrella containing UI/UX design but only when it comes to websites and apps.

## Technical Skills necessary for web design:

- Strong grasp of Design principles
- Typography
- Color Theory
- Design Softwares expertise
- Responsive design Knowledge (HTML, CSS, and Javascript)

## Differences between Web and UI/UX design

- **Application:** The first noticeable difference is the area of application for the design methods. Web design is only applied to websites and apps. While UX design applies to digital and physical products, UI design focuses on digital products alone.

- **Skill set:** Web design requires proficiency in responsive layout using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. While UI/UX design will do with just basic knowledge.

- **Goals:** Web design focuses on aesthetics and interactivity of a website or app, while UI/UX design focuses on aesthetics, functionality, and accessibility of a brand or product.

- **Information level:** Web design requires information about the brand and company/client, while UI/UX design requires information about the brand, client/company and target user.

## Conclusion

Web design and UI/UX design have a lot in common, so much that they're seen in the same light. From definition to required skill sets, no matter how subtle, the differences exist.

When all has been said its important to note that there is much to design than the different labels. As observed, web design and ui/ux design are more diverse than they seem. The key takeaway is all designs have equal end goals but each applies different routes to achieving these goals.