Instagram, Uber, Youtube, Facebook — have you ever wondered why services like these look the way they do? How come there's a big button at the center of the screen? Why is the search bar usually at the top and not elsewhere? How does the platform understand that you'll want to add a video to your favorites after watching it? Why does it only take three steps to call a taxi: departure address, arrival address, and the "order" button?
All these little things seem entirely natural to us, but someone is designing them. So, today we'll look into the mysterious world of creating user experience and explore how professionals manage to create systems used by hundreds of millions of people.
Definition
If you ask ten UX designers what they do, you'll get ten different answers. If you ask 100 designers, there will be 100 answers. Why is this?
There are many different aspects to UX (User Experience) and UI (User Interface) design. The visual components of the layout, the possible ways of interacting, the system's information architecture, the human perception of computer interfaces, and...the list goes on and on!
The main thing experts of design, psychology, and HCI (human-computer interaction) agree on is that:
"The goal of user experience design in industry is to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty through the utility, ease of use, and pleasure provided in the interaction with a product." Quote from Interacting with Computers.
UX/UI design includes various concepts and approaches, but the process of designing truly user-friendly, easy-to-use, and useful websites and applications normally begin with simple questions:
Who are we making this product for?
How will they use the product?
What does a person need to solve their problem?
UX/UI design helps you understand how to create a complete and enjoyable interactive experience, enabling customers to distinguish your product from many others.
Comparison
UX/UI design consists of two related parts that form a complete system. They combine to create developed applications or sites that are structurally functional and visually attractive. According to research, people are more comfortable using services that are both easy to use and pleasant to the eye.
Sure, you can create a logical step-by-step registration page with a clear path to enter the first name, last name, or comment on the order. But to improve the quality of the user experience and provide the opportunity to enjoy the picture on a subconscious level, you also have to work with colors, layouts, and fonts.
The table below shows the key features of the User Experience and User Interface:
User Experience (UX) | User Interface (UI) |
interaction design | visual design |
wireframes and prototypes | color palette |
information architecture | layouts |
scenarios | typography |
focus on interactions | focus on tools |
If we're talking about what users "see," this is the UI. If it's how users "feel," this is the UX. The layout of screen elements is the interface, but the scenario in which elements are used on‑screen is the experience. These two parts are inseparable from each other.
If you create a stunning landing page that's confusing to use, the person will simply go elsewhere. If you think through all the possibilities and functions carefully, but the application looks "cheap" and "unattractive," users may find it suspicious. They might not feel confident enough to use it.
Is it really needed?
If you plan to create services and applications for mass use or just want to improve your skills in product design, you definitely need to know the basics of UX/UI. Fortunately, this isn't as difficult as it may seem at first glance – like other disciplines, UX/UI has its system of coordinates, thematic blocks, and sections.
The main thing to understand is that while developing a product with a GUI (graphical user interface), you're creating some kind of visual design anyway. Whether this was your intention or not. And if other people use your app, you're creating their user experience. So, UX/UI design happens all the time, consciously or accidentally – it's a process.
Of course, you can close your eyes to all this and just do "as you feel." But you need to bear in mind that your value as an IT specialist is not only in writing code. It's also in understanding the way the code is used. Moreover, by grasping the basics of UX/UI, you will be able to create applications and services on your own without resorting to the help of third-party specialists.
You can apply design approaches at the product design stages and the audit stage (MVP testing). However, it's worth thinking about what your product should look like and if it's convenient to use sooner rather than later. Taking this approach will make it easier to fix any shortcomings and help to minimize the amount of effort required to make changes.
Read more on this topic in Introduction to the curses Library in Python on Hyperskill Blog.
Conclusion
In this topic, you found out why UX/UI is so vital. You learned that:
There are many different definitions of UX/UI design.
UX is about how users feel, and UI is about what users see.
These two parts are inseparable from each other.
People are unlikely to use poorly designed sites because they may seem suspicious or confusing.
Understanding UX/UI is important for anyone who plans to create services and apps.
If you develop a product with a GUI, you're creating a design whether you intend to or not!
Considering UX/UI in the early stages of product development saves time and effort later.