In the field of creating valuable software, the ux designer is most of the times misunderstood. Most people in the Information Technology Sector see the word “Designer” and think it is visual. That also counts for “Frontend Developers” (not a hardcode developer). What is the role of an UX Designer? What is the difference with someone who is designing an interface?
When you are an UI Designer;
You create the best UI by using your professional knowledge (with all your assumptions) for a target group or your stakeholder.
UI = User Interface
When you are an UX Designer;
You create the best UI by involving the user for creating valuable products.
UX = User Experience
In the working process it means that the UX Designer starts with Researching. The UI Designer starts with questioning the client who wants the prototype or UI. The clients are most of the time, not the people who you are going to use your creation.
If you would like to differentiate what the value is of UI and UX is, you could look at it this way;
Fig.1 value differences UI and UX
When the real UX Designer shows himself, he will ask about your users.
In the world of Design, there are many designers call themselves UX Designers now a days. But what is a real UX Designer actually? When you create User Interfaces you are making it for someone, right?
A real UX Designer has interest in the human relation with a product or service. What does that mean. As an UI designer I can be interested in humans to?! Do you understand the way you have to ask question the user, for intstance? Or even organise an interview? Do a workshop Empathy mapping or journey mapping? Here is a list on how UX Designers would like to been seen vs how people see UX Designer;
| How UX Designers would like to be seen | How people see UX Designers |
| Design thinking | |
| Understand, Ideate, materialize | |
| Design system | |
| user research | |
| interviewing | |
| contactual research | |
| Communication end user | |
| workshop empathy mapping | |
| workshop journey mapping | |
| Challenge assumptions | |
| Interface Design | Interface Design |
| Visual Design | Visual Design |
| Analogies | |
| Scamper | |
| Usability Test | |
| Worst possible idea | |
| UX Strategy | |
| Card sorting | |
| Mind mapping | |
| Brainstorming coordination | |
| Copy writing | |
| Neuro science research | |
| Working closely with Product Management | |
| Working with Product Stakeholders |
When I started as young professional in 2003, we called the role of UX Designer :Interaction designer. Designing the communication between a human and a system. The misperception is that every Designer is an UX Designer. A designer has the advantage to think like a designer. That way it is easier to become a real good User Experience Designer!
Take away
By differentiating the terms UI and UX, you let your contacts know you understand the differences. What are you looking for? Someone who makes visual examples of what you want to be created, or real valued products for your users? It always starts with the question: who is your user, you are creating this product or service for?
Want to know more about getting the user in to your projects?
You are not the user
External link: uxisnotui.com