#SeriesBite: How different are UI and UX? - Co-Authored with Venky Hariharan from onething

The consolidation of UI and UX is only evolutionary. This article will reverse that movement and crystallize why each segment is needed, important and finally, different.

UX Makes Interfaces Useful, UI Makes Interfaces Beautiful

As Rahul Varshney, Co-creator of Foster.fm puts it:

User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) are some of the most confused and misused terms in our field. A UI without UX is like a painter slapping paint onto a canvas without thought; while UX without UI is like the frame of a sculpture with no paper mache on it. A great product experience starts with UX followed by UI. Both are essential for the product’s success.

UI, User Interface Design is the digital space where machines and humans, hardware and software merge with a focus on the details on the interface. A UI Designer's role is mainly functionality from a visual front end.

Things a UI Designer focuses on: Design research, the basic visual design that includes graphics, prototypes and finally, user guides.

User Interface Design = Visual Design + Interaction Design.

UX, User Experience Design is the space where consumers are focal. They create (and design) seamless, simple and aesthetically pleasing experiences to increase satisfaction and loyalty. UX is high-level thinking about how I can get the user to where they need to be. UI design only steps in once the UX part has been ~80% done.

Things a UX Designer focuses on: 'Feel good' content, structure and design. Prototyping and wire-framing, testing and development plans.

They both, in essence, sound and take care of overlapping experiences, but there are some major differences and roles they each play, laid out below

UI is a tangible deliverable with quality in mind, UX is the icing with purpose and functionality

UI sets the hard limits on the interface, this impacts the UX as they work within those guidelines

UI is technical focused to produce design and final products, UX focuses on the analysis, development and delivery of the product.

UI is the control panel, User experience is love

UX can be improved by improving the UI. UX is the result of the combined direct and indirect interactions with a brand.

UX Helps Users Accomplish Goals

UI Makes Emotional Connections

So, what does success look like when UI and UX collaborate efficiently?

> Conversion rates will improve.

> Adoption rates will increase, for example, an increase in frequency of use.

> Retention rates will increase. Loyalty increases.

> Brand reputation is established and distinguished.

> Feedback is taken into consideration and implemented

> Accessibility and ease of finding answers improves

About the Author:

Venky Hariharan is the Head of Community at onething, a UI/UX design agency.

He completed his Masters in Integrated Digital Media from NYU where he fell in love with the concept of Design Thinking and user experience design. His pet peeves include hamburger menus on desktop websites and sliders of any kind.

PS: I'm still looking for co-authors for segments of this weekly series. If you are interested or know someone who is, please DM me and let me know! I'd love to chat!

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