UI and UX design: the basic definitions.

It’s true that a UI (user interface) or UX (user experience) designers’ main aim is to enhance users’ satisfaction, by creating products and interfaces that are intuitive, simple and efficient. And many people have a part to play in this, including developers, content writers and more. But what exactly is each designer’s role within this overall aim? In general terms, UI is about the visual design of the product interface. Depending on the nature of the product, this normally includes the layout, icons, buttons, information architecture, colors, typography, animations and illustrations.

And as the name suggests, UX is about the user, or rather, human experience. It’s about analyzing people’s intents when they use the product – what they should feel, what they need to understand and what action they should eventually take. In most cases, this part is done first, followed by the visual design.

Whether or not UI and UX design are a mystery to you, it's safe to say that each workplace has a slightly different approach. Here's a look into the essence of both disciplines.

To summarize with an effective metaphor, you can think of it as a house: UX is about providing the skeletal structure, deciding where each room should be placed, planning the electricity system and other structure-related aspects. The UI is more about the details, such as the doorknobs, curtains, colors and more. In the end, all these elements come together to make up a whole experience and atmosphere.

These might sound like two very separate areas of expertise, and it’s true – they are different and each one requires a wide array of skill sets. However, just like coffee and cake, they complete one another. Imagine, for example, an instruction manual for a complex coffee machine. It could be the most beautifully designed thing in the world, with the most stunning color palette and on-trend fonts, but if it the user doesn’t manage to understand what they’re supposed to do, they may as well throw it away (or hang it up on their wall). That’s exactly where UX comes in. As the two professions are so intertwined, at Wix, designers specialize in both UI and UX – a requirement that is brought up right from the initial design interview. This allows them to package an optimal product experience, that includes spot-on functionality, content and visuals.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of UX? If your answer was anything involving websites and mobile apps, you’re right. But these days, the scopes of both UI and UX are broadening. Companies have a growing awareness of the importance of understanding their users and how these methods can improve their user experience – ultimately, impacting retention.

UX is now employed across a variety of products, interfaces and services – and not only those with a web presence. It’s not just about the interface, but rather about the product’s experience as a whole. Referring to the Wix eCommerce product for example, UX designer Israel Martin Alberto explains that “the experience involves every detail, from start to finish. It’s not just about the online part. It’s about the moment the user clicks onto your site, all the way to the moment they receive their purchase at their doorstep and open the package.” The idea is to accompany the user throughout their whole journey and through different obstacles. “That’s how you can build a strong relationship with the user,” explains Israel. You can take a look at the case studies on these UX design portfolios and these websites for UX inspiration and research to gain a better understanding of the full process a designer goes through.

UI is no different in that it’s also used for a variety of interfaces, whether they’re online or not. Any product that involves a point of contact between the object and the user, such as coffee machines, keypads and car dashboards, should be designed with UI in mind.