The UX Dilemma: How does UI Design steal its Thunder?
Reading time: 4 mins 15 secs
If only we had a dollar every time a client misunderstood, or knowingly altered, the concepts of UI and UX.
The digital product dimension very closely revolves around user experience, and for most players in the market, the key to a stunning user experience is user interfaces, design, and aesthetics.
But that ends now!
Welcome Product-novators!?
In this edition, let's talk about the elephant in the room, or should we say the bug in the interface: our undervalued friend, UX!
"Any product that needs a manual to work is broken."
This quote by Elon Musk sums up the importance of UX.?
User Experience is about usability. And it's not always dictated by the pretty screens or the fact that your users can now access 99+ features; it's about usability driven by common sense or knowledge. It’s about simplicity, providing a clear path for users to accomplish their tasks seamlessly.
However, the market has its own definitions, some of which stray far from the truth. So, let's start with the basics:
Understanding UX (and Everything It's Not)?
User Experience (UX) is the overall experience a user has when interacting with a digital product. It encompasses everything from usability (ease of use) to user satisfaction, efficiency, emotions, and loyalty.?
User Interfaces and UI Design are just one door to User Experience, there are a lot of undervalued segments that contribute to a good UX.??
Many app reviews that you see are targeted towards usability issues, you barely will ever see any user talking about how they abandoned the app/website because of a not-so-attractive interface.
Thus, we can conclude that a big contributor to the product's success is UX, or clear and simple usability.
While usability is a critical component of UX, it also includes emotional impact, overall experience, and how the product fits into the user’s life. A good Information Architecture (IA) is formed with user empathy, experience mapping, and user flow considerations. By tracking the problems users face, we can build solutions that truly meet their needs.
This is why user research, user flow, and the overall discovery phase are so important.
And as for everything UX is not, here are some common myths:
Among these, the biggest misconception is that UX = UI. We strongly disagree, and our UX designers do too!
So, let's expand on that a little.
Design thinking is the process that fuels exceptional UX. Check out this blog to learn more about why you should adopt design thinking for product design.
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How in the name of Designing Gods is UX ≠ UI???
To calm your nerves, here’s the answer upfront: User Interfaces and their design are major components of UX.
However, UX is not just UI .
UX Research plays a critical role in the initial phases, laying the groundwork for effective UI design. Based on UX research and collected data, UI designers can develop a user-focused interface, making navigation intuitive and seamless for users.
UX (User Experience) focuses on the overall feel and ease of use of a product, ensuring it meets users' needs and provides a satisfying experience. UI (User Interface) deals with the visual and interactive elements—like buttons, icons, and layouts—ensuring the product is visually appealing and functionally intuitive.
While UI is an essential part of UX, it’s the synergy between both that truly enhances the user’s interaction with the product.
How can User Experience research shape your preliminary MVP/Product??
Understanding User Experience elements is crucial.
Certain abstract and concrete elements of the digital product work together in UX design. We use abstract ideas as a starting point and translate them into concrete elements that users can experience, ultimately creating an interface that is both user-friendly and effective.
The primary goal is to make the app, website, or service as easy to interact with as possible for the user. Initial research and discovery will save you resources and prevent headaches for your team.
Here are some stages where UX Research will be the lighthouse guiding your MVP ship :
Integrating UX research into your development process ensures a user-centric approach, setting the stage for a successful and intuitive product.
Wondering how to build the perfect lovable MVP? Check out this article to learn why a lovable MVP is important and how you can build it.
The AI Magic: How can AI help your Digital Assets!?
Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing digital products, making them smarter and more user-friendly. Here are some AI tools that can significantly enhance the UX phase of your product:
By leveraging these AI tools, you can streamline your UX processes, gain deeper insights, and create more intuitive and engaging digital products.
Conclusion
The term "User Experience" was introduced around 1993 , and its founder described it as the complete experience one has with a company, product, or services.
A good UX does not mean everyone will love your product. No single design will please everyone. Good UX aims to meet the needs of the target audience, recognizing that there will always be outliers.
This is where AI can play a crucial role in fine-tuning and personalizing the user experience to better meet diverse needs.
AI-volution Awaits! Stay tuned for the next issue of Productif {AI}.?