When we think about UX and UI design, oftentimes we conflate and confuse the two. This is actually the case whether you're working within or outside of the design industry.

This confusion arises due to UX and UI being closely related and, in many ways, relying upon each other to succeed. However, while this may be the case, there are some fundamental differences between the two which are important to first decipher.

To put it simply, UX serves to make mobile and web interfaces useful and practical, while UI serves to make the same interfaces aesthetically pleasing for users or consumers to engage with.

UX Design

The "UX" in UX Design stands for User Experience, and the role of a UX designer is to ensure above all else that the user experiences a journey which is easy to navigate and understand. When a user opens up an app for the first time, their first impression in the very first few seconds of engagement is crucial.

There are a variety of different components to take into consideration when UX designers think of the user journey, and often work begins with extensive research, including a mixture of market research, human behaviour & psychology, design, and technology in order to create intuitive interfaces which serve their specific purpose.

UI Design

UI design differs from the above in the sense that a UI designer is focused on the User Interface, which encompasses all the front facing elements of a product in order to create something which is visually appealing and aesthetically beautiful to the user.

There are a variety of different components to take into consideration when UI designers think of the user journey. Some might seem fairly obvious, like the layout or placement of visual elements, while others are more discreet, for example the placement of text fields, buttons, and any minute interaction the user has with the product. UI designers must exhibit strong attention to detail in every area of their work and always have the user in the forefront of their mind when designing.

To sum up, both UX and UI design complement one another to create websites and apps which not only function coherently, but appear seamless and beautiful to the user. The use of both methods of design ensure a user’s experience is not just meaningful, but also looks and feels the part.