The meaning of UX design

1 min read - Last updated: 25 dec 2020

The abbreviation UX stands for user experience. The meaning of UX design is to design a solution that (1) meets users' needs, (2) fulfills an organization's goals and (3) is technically feasible. And always in that order.

🇳🇱 Lees dit artikel in het Nederlands: De betekenis van UX design

UX design is about user experience

UX design is about all the factors that influence the user experience when a person uses a product or service. Think of the sensory perception (what does the person see, hear, feel or smell?), the ease of use of the product or service (did the person find it easy or difficult?), locating information, the route the user takes (user journey), the confidence the user has in the product or service, the readability of texts and images, you name it.

The difference between UX and UI design

You may come across UX in the combination "UX & UI design". But then, what is the meaning of UI? UI is short for user interface. UI design is about designing the visible layer between the technology and the user: for example, what you see on the screen of your smartphone or on the screen of a ticket machine in the train station.

This interface allows the user to understand what is possible with the device and to have control over it. So there is a difference between UX and UI design. UX design includes all factors that affect the user experience, UI design deals only with the visible or invisible interfaces. A UI designer is a designer who focuses entirely on (digital) interfaces, both in terms of usability and aesthetics.

Digital interfaces or tangible products?

Often the terms UX design and UI design are used in connection with the design of software, websites or other digital interfaces, but it can just as easily refer to an interface of a tangible product, such as a vacuum cleaner, a watch or a car. Users of a vacuum cleaner equally want a pleasant user experience and easy interaction through the interface (think buttons, handles, icons and words on the product).

Factoren van user experience, in een cirkel rondom een stofzuiger

The meaning of usability

Usability means ease of use. The ease with which a product can be used is an important factor of the user experience, the UX. When a product or service is very easy and simple to use, user satisfaction increases. It is also referred to as usability.

UX UI designer

You'll regularly come across the profession of "UX UI designer". Or the opposite: "UI UX designer". This is the designer the defines the user experience ànd draws how the user interface should look like. Usually the UX UI designer works on digital interfaces: everything you see on your laptop or mobile screen. Many companies are looking for experienced UX/UI designers. In Belgium, companies are more and more convinced that a user friendly interface results in satisfied users, who are loyal and love to come back.

What does a UX designer do?

A UX designer needs lots of skills, not only design skills but also working with design software is a necessity. On top of that, it is your responsibility to create a better user experience through UX research and to bring clients and colleagues together, to find good solutions in co-creation. To achieve that, the UX designer uses models like the diamond from Design Thinking methodology.

📘 Continue reading (in Dutch): Alles wat je moet weten over de betekenis van UX

Want to become a UI designer or UX designer?

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Marjan

Senior UX designer with 15+ years of experience combining design and research. She believes that customer empathy produces better and more attractive products and services. She is founder of UX Coach, a UX design studio in Antwerp, Belgium.

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