User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are two concepts that are mentioned a lot in the world of design. So how are they different? What is the outstanding difference between UX and UI design?
Are you familiar with stories of great ‘user experience’ on a website or the confusing user interface of a product? Is there a mystery between these two terms that only the experts know?
If you are having these concerns, you have come to the right place. Please refer to the detailed analysis in my article below. Scroll down for the details!
UX Design Overview
The primary purpose of UX is to enhance the user experience of any software or product through many different methods.
Therefore, UX designers focus on the relevance and trends, preferences, and difficulties that users encounter during use.
With the need to build such a complex system, the field of UX today requires participants to have a large amount of knowledge and skills in many different areas, not just design.
In addition, UX designers often act as an intermediary between the departments. They have to regularly communicate and find ways to interpret so that both sides can understand, thereby ensuring product quality.
UI Design Overview
UI stands for User Interface. UI is known as the point where the user interacts with the website or application. One part will be whether the content attracts them or not, and the other part is how users will interact with the content.
The UI designers take on the task of guiding the user to do the right thing through the signs. Here signs are not simply images or symbols but can also be words, interactive systems, or simply color changes.
UI designers will perform jobs closer to the graphic designer title because they work with separate visual and artistic objects rather than UX designers.
However, UI designers have to work with the system, so programming skills are required, not optional like graphic designers.
Key Differences
UX and UI has many differences. They will help us get a more objective perspective. So what are the elements you need to consider carefully?
| UX designer | UI designer | |
|---|---|---|
| Responsibilities | Develop methods to make the products user-friendly, easy to use, and full of features | Maximize the visibility and accessibility of objects |
| Education | Degree in computer science or software engineering | Degree in digital design, graphic design, or interaction design |
| Skilled | – Analyze needs, some skills such as understanding psychology. – Proficient in using tools – Knowledge of computer systems | Knowledge and skills in design and art such as the use of color, visual principles |
| Salary | $103,838 | $89,800 |
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Responsibilities
The main task of UX designers is to plan and develop methods to make their products user-friendly, easy to use, and fully featured to customer requirements.
UX designers also need to collect information about customers and market tastes and understand the psychology of users.
They also have to communicate the models and plans to other development departments. So we can summarize the work of UX designers like this.
On the other hand, UI designers need to apply knowledge of art and vision to maximize the visibility and accessibility of users.
The coordination with art elements increases the impression, thereby attracting users so that they can make necessary manipulations.
You need to have the art design knowledge to participate in UI design. So, the tasks of the UI designer are somewhat different from the UX designer.
Education
UX design needs a degree specializing in technical disciplines such as computer science or software engineering. UX designers also need a degree in design, management, or psychology if they want to expand their working possibilities.
UI design requires you to have a degree in specialized digital arts such as digital design, graphic design, or interaction design. Of course, UI designers also need to have programming knowledge to pursue this field.
Salary
Around $103,838 is the average annual salary of UX designers, while the figure of $86,800 is the salary for user interface designers in a year. Of course, the actual number may vary due to many different factors.
Skilled
UX needs to know about planning and analysis. Some skills such as understanding psychology or negotiation and teamwork are also critical.
Of course, you also need to be proficient in using tools and have in-depth knowledge of computer systems.
UI requires the knowledge and skills of design and art, such as the use of color and the principles of vision. They also need programming skills.
Pros & Cons
| UX Design | UI Design | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | – Accessible market and user research – Follow up, collect opinions, and discuss with customers – Ability to construct clear development charts – Plan and establish methods to fulfill customer wishes | – Arrange the layout, optimize the feeling of use in a frame for customers – Choose images, icons, colors, and fonts that are suitable for different purposes – Enhance team activities – Increase the visibility of the displayed content |
| Cons | Longer education | Lower average income depending on experience |
Which One Is Better?
Both are both potential fields and are always in shortage of human resources. So we can ignore factors such as the job market when considering.
You should rely on your abilities and interests to make appropriate judgments.
If you can calculate and plan and possess good communication skills, then UX design is the right choice.
If you have artistic ability, do not hesitate to choose UI design.
The Bottom Line
We hope that you have gained valuable knowledge to know the difference between UX and UI design through the above article.
Did the article meet your requirements? Can you share your preferences and final decision?
Thank you for your attention and reading to the end our content.
See you in the next interesting articles!
