UID&UXD=?

Consideration (2024 Update): Since writing this piece, the design landscape has been transformed by the rapid rise of AI. Now, we’re no longer just the architects of this “Digital Continent”—we’re collaborators with intelligent systems. AI tools now aid in rapid prototyping, automating user testing, and even personalizing experiences in real time, reshaping what it means to design with user experience and interface in mind. But as I see it, these tools don’t replace the core of our work; they’re just part of the evolving toolbox we use to shape digital spaces. Please enjoy! =)

“Interior or exterior?”. No doubt, you would not be surprised if you hear this question at a car wash station. But when I heard this, directed to an architect friend of mine, I could not help bursting into laughter. Sure, if there is an “interior”, there should also be an exterior. I'll come to this later.

Figuratively the largest continent, discovered after America is internet. There is no doubt that the endless contribution of internet to the world economy will be more than all the continental discoveries in history. Today, all international capitals are in a big race to maintain their footprint and trade on this new continent and to expand their fields. Think about the mobile applications. They have created a new experience, architecture and consumer habits that did not exist 15 years ago. Internet had already generated a new class of white collars; "Architects of the Digital Continent". Graphic designers became the architects of this new virtual continent. Although the notional problematics of design remains, the physical boundaries of softwares became a constantly updating material knowledge. The creators specialized in this process were classified into two; UX and UI designers.

The purpose of this article is this classification. I see value in giving a brief explanation for those who are not familiar with these terms. Those who are classified as UX, design the most efficient architecture for the user & software interaction. This group, on one hand, sets the requirements of the subject of the software, while on the other hand, offers a convenient user experience. They do not have to have a graphic design background. Software experts or engineers may even have the advantage. Important UX designers, such as Don Norman, Luke Wroblewski, not only facilitate the user's experience, but also shape their habits.

The group classified as UI, provides us with the most accurate visual identity of the above mentioned architectural structure. They impersonate the user experience into a graphic identity that suits the subject. In general they have graphic design education background, but one from any design discipline can specialize in this class.

As Jared M. Spool says, "The name given to a profession is a complete fabrication. The important thing is to correctly identifying what the person is doing”. I started interface design in 1998. We started with simple websites. Then continued with software interfaces and applications. When we jumped into this continent as “DESIGNERS”, there were no identification as UXD and UID yet. We were responsible with the functionality as much as the aesthetic of the interface. To be honest, 20 years ago the softwares were providing very limited experiences. Do you remember the excitement when you first see Macromedia Flash?! Gone in a blink of a time :) Anyways, years have passed and I have moved away from the digital continent. Why?

Many younglings - taking courses for 2 months, learning photoshop, clueless about “design”, started to wonder around calling themselves “The Web Guy”. Not only they were producing glittering but “false” works, they were also preferred as an extremely cheap option. Neither any user experience concern nor an original design were remained. It was an invasion for me. As such, I packed my belongings and left the “Continent of Internet” for a while.

Is it possible to do interface design by ignoring functionality? I believe that a graphic designer consider solving both UX&UI. A software developer or an engineer can easily become an UX designer. But a graphic designer has to do both, even he/she is teaming up with a competent UX designer. Nowadays,?I observe that "Our Web Guy" age is over. It seems that the architects of digital continent own their rightful places at last.

Recently I was chatting with a software developer friend. Told him that I had been designing interfaces for years. He asked me “UX or UI?”. That reminded me the question “interior or exterior?” =)

Sincerely, Mehmet Ozman