In the world of Digital design UI/UX design is a skill in huge demand, even compared to graphic design. Though taught or learned together since they tend to be different sides, of the same coin, understanding the differences and importance of each is crucial. Though each has their roles UX tends to be a bit more important than the other. Distinguishing between them also gives you clarity on what to choose as a career or what to avoid and also the roles you will be capable of doing based on your skill and interest. If you’re new it also lets you choose or prioritize what to learn first. Do consider the best UI/UX course in Calicut to make this easier. Without wasting much time let’s take a look at why UX is more important than UI.
What’s the difference between UI and UX design?
Before exploring why UX is better let us understand the difference between each to understand what it is and what are its use cases which helps you determine its importance much easier. In simple terms, each of them is:
- UI Design: UI or User Interface design deals with designing, creating and editing web or mobile applications and websites. It deals with managing visual elements. It shares the same design principles used by graphic designers which makes them alike. UI tends to be the same but makes it seamless, easy to navigate and add functional possibility to the design.
- UX: Design: UX is meant to be User Experience Design and deals with tasks such as improving the experience of the user of a mobile or web application and websites. UX designers achieve this by doing tasks such as wireframing, prototyping and editing existing designs, UX designers make the design live and easy to navigate for the users. They also improve or implement functionality and smoothness to their design or any other UI design.
Now with the differences let’s look deeper and determine Why UX is better than UI:
Why UX is better than UI
UX for problem-solving and UI for visual appeal
The major difference between the two is the fact that :
User Experience (UX) Solves problems in design such as its interactivity and functionality. UX design makes the product easy for users to use. To do this UX designers go through processes like research-testing and refining workflows.
The user interface (UI) is simple compared to the UX process as it focuses on visually pleasing content. The UI process includes the same tasks or approach as a graphic designer as they follow the same design principles. The process includes colour theory, font, typography, shape, placement and much more. The task here is to create content that is simple, effective and aesthetic but with the possibility of interactiveness or functionality yet that falls under the role of UX as well. Also, understand the fact that regardless of the pleasing designs without UX the project wouldn’t be live. This also accounts for poor designs as well.
Prioritize Usability
In the world of functional designs, UX prioritises usability more than UI design does. You can often see websites with average UI but with great UX still working and no complaints from the users but not vice versa. While designing products web or mobile applications and websites usability comes first and UX prioritise the first thing contributing to a reason why UX is more important than UI.
UX guarantees the product values
The point of view of the users and their struggles are understood by the UX designers. They put themselves in the shoes of the users by surveys, research and testing its usability. By doing this UX offers or delivers value and overall ensures and increases its status.
UX focuses on user Centered design.
Once again giving importance to users it is user-centered. As soon as an inconvenience or edit is required in a design, UX designers solve a real-world problem. A dedicated UX design works effectively and the changes fit effortlessly to the user’s workflow and their lifestyle. In simple terms, seamless navigation must be served.
UX is a journey
UX tends to be a journey compared to the UI since UI design doesn’t require many changes or updates over time. UX on the other hand requires constant work. Compared to UI it’s also a long process from starting to discovering the product, interacting with it later solving problems and even after the end product they are required to maintain customer satisfaction.
UX does testing and Iteration
User experience design is a data-driven process which includes feedback, conducting usability tests and also accompanying it with sufficient metrics for analyzing and making changes to improve the product.
UX influences Business Success
When it comes to the design industry UX serves as its backbone. It impacts the succes of businesses in key metrics like:
- Conversion rates
- Customer retention
- Loyalty towards the brand
Meanwhile an ineffective UX leads to:
- Hike in bounce rates
- Frustration to the users
- Negative reviews
It is difficult for UI to fix or find solutions to these issues especially if the problems above isnt optimised.
Retention vs Admiration
This in simple terms is the biggest function or use case of each design in a single word. UX focuses on retention of the users as they stick to an app or website that is easy to use with a good to average design rather than an application or website that has great visually appealing content but is hard to use. As a good UI UX designer you must understand what among these is important and choose what matters, which in this case is retention.
UX reduces complexity in understanding
As seamless UX lets users learn or understand much easier it requires fewer instructions or guides to the users as the smooth and intuitive user flow lets them navigate and understand themselves increasing the rate of interactivity.
Long-term business growth
UX offers more to business growth or for its future than UI does. UX is a process or journey for easier navigation, functionality and interactiveness while UI tends to be visual it also requires visuals that are appealing to the audience therefore new and updated designs or trends must constantly be followed proving a design wouldn’t last forever but UX at least last longer. This highlights another reason why UX is more important than UI.
Real-world examples
Let’s look at some real-world examples where UX is prioritised and found success or growth and how UI identifies to be the cherry on top of the cake. They are:
- Apple: Amongst the biggest players in the tech industry have a simple user interface. But its success lies behind its smooth UX along with its functionality and interactiveness. This is evident via their so-called competitors with good design but poor performance over the years.
- Google: they gave importance to UI and its freedom yet its minimal design is backed by quality UX
Conclusion
Coming towards the end of this article, our research, and comparison have pointed out the existing fact that UX is more important than UI or better. If I’ve gone through this far you must be aware that UI is a visual appeal enhancer and the product of UX to seamlessly work. Meanwhile, you are now also aware that UI is the cover and the content or soul lies in the UX. Ensure you prioritise what suits you and understand what’s needed in the design industry. Also, learn the best UIUX course from the best institution.
Are you looking for a career in UI/UX Design? Aviv Digital is one of the leading UI UX design course in Calicut. We offer a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the design industry. For more details, Contact us at: +91 8156998844
