A good user experience is the art of a drill going through wood, or a surfboard gliding through water effortlessly. The feelings those give you is unparalleled because they just work, simple as that. Though, in contrast, the shape of that board that helps it make those turns on the wave is good UI, and the surf wax on the top so you do not slip off is also good UI. In short, the whole package is what makes it decent UX, whereas good UI is always a very vital inner-element of the package.
Acronyms Revealed
UX Design denotes to the term User Experience Design, UX Design is a more analytical and technical field while UI Design stands for User Interface Design. UI Design is closer to what we refer to as graphic design, though the responsibilities are somewhat more complex.
Both elements are crucial to a product and work closely together. But despite their professional relationship, the roles themselves are quite different, referring to very different parts of the process and the design discipline.
If you imagine a product as the human body, the bones represent the code which give it structure. The organs represent the UX design: measuring and optimizing against input for supporting life functions. And UI design represents the cosmetics of the body–its presentation, its senses and reactions.
As is found on Wikipedia:
User experience design (UXD or UED) is the process of enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty by improving the usability, ease of use, and pleasure provided in the interaction between the customer and the product.
UX Design encompasses any and all interactions between a potential or active customer and a company. As a scientific process it could be applied to anything, street lamps, cars, Ikea shelving and so on.
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Here is the example of a UX Designer’s responsibilities
Wire-framing and Prototyping
1.Wire-framing
2.Prototyping
3.Testing-Iteration
4.Development Planning
Strategy and Content
1.Competitor Analysis
2.Customer Analysis
3.Product Structure/Strategy
4.Content Development
Execution and Analytic
1.Coordination with UI Designer
2.Coordination with Developer
3.Tracking Goals and Integration
4.Analysis and Iteration
That means it is part marketer, part designer, part project manager; the UX role is multifaceted, challenging and multi-faceted. Eventually the goal is to connect business goals to user’s needs through a process of testing and modification to that which satisfies both sides of the liaison. So at the end we can say User Experience Design is the process of development and improvement of quality interaction between a user and all facets of a company also responsible for being hands on with the process of testing, content, research, development, and prototyping to test for quality outcomes.
UI Design?
As is found on Wikipedia:
interface design (UI) or user interface engineering is the design of user interfaces for machines and software, such as computers, home appliances, mobile devices, and other electronic devices, with the focus on maximizing the user experience. The goal of user interface design is to make the user’s interaction as simple and efficient as possible, in terms of accomplishing user goals (user-centered design).
So User Interface (UI) Design focuses on anticipating what users might need to do and ensuring that the interface has elements that are easy to access, understand, and use to facilitate those actions. UI brings together concepts from interaction design, visual design, and information architecture.
Here is the example of a UX Designer’s responsibilities
Look and Feel:
1.Customer Study
2.Design Research
3.Branding and Graphic Development
4.User Storyline
Responsiveness and Interactivity:
1.UI Prototyping
2.Interactivity and Animation
3.Adaptation to All Device Screen Sizes
4.Implementation with Developer
As a visual and interactive designer, the UI role is crucial to any digital interface and for customers a key element to trusting a brand. UI is a role that as time progresses, will rely on it as part of building interactive interfaces. User Interface Design is accountable for the transference of a brand’s strengths and visual assets to a product’s interface as to best enhance the user’s experience.
In any business it is very important to know the end user cause ultimately they are the source of revenue. So whenever you are designing your own website you should put special care toward both UX and UI design. Because these to very important but mostly ignored things make the website more matter than other. A good UX design is always attractive to the ongoing and upcoming users. Measuring user experience is a very good way to track how well you are doing. Even products which are not totally ready can generate interest and loyalty, If the user experience is good. And even “problems”, when handled well, can result in happy customers and recommendations. Surprise your customers, and they will not forget you. And they will keep coming back.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_interface_design
http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2012/06/ui-vs-ux-whats-the-difference/
http://blog.careerfoundry.com/the-difference-between-ux-and-ui-design-a-laymans-guide/
http://wholedesignstudios.com/what-is-user-experience-and-why-is-it-important/