What is UX Design? Understand the evolution of Web Design

Article written for personal purpose.

In the last decade, the tech industry has witnessed the rise of a new type of designer: the UX Designer. At first, this new job title may be difficult to understand, andhat’s why in this post, we want to help you better understand this concept.

What is UX design?

UX means “user experience”. User experience design is the process of designing products, services, or digital experiences that are user-centered, accessible, and engaging.

The goal of UX design is to create products or services that meet the needs and expectations of users while providing a positive and intuitive experience.

In summary, it’s about providing optimizing experiences for the users. And those experiences include how users acquire, integrate and interact with products, so it should focus on all the aspects of branding, design, usability and function.

The importance of UX design

Designing an experience involves more than just creating user-friendly software. It encompasses the entire user experience, from the initial marketing campaign and packaging to the post-sale support.

In UX design, the primary objective is to develop solutions that effectively meet users’ needs and alleviate their pain points. Ultimately, a product without a clear purpose will not be used, so UX designers aim to deliver experiences that truly resonate with users.

Therefore, UX design plays a critical role in shaping the way people interact with technology, and it has become increasingly important in today’s digital age as more and more products and services are delivered through digital channels.

How UX design works in practice?

UX designers ask themselves: “How can I make this product not only usable but also fun, efficient, and pleasing to interact with?” This can be applied to various digital products, including computers, smartphones, websites, apps, virtual reality, voice user interfaces, and others.

Although UX designers cannot control a person’s perceptions and feelings about the product they design, they can control how the product, system, or service behaves and looks.

For example, when using a physical device such as a computer mouse, UX designers will ask these questions:

• Does it fit well in the user’s hand?
• Is it too heavy? Does it hinder their ability to move it as they wish?
• Is it easy to use?
• Can they use it automatically, or do they have to think hard about it to achieve a goal?

A UX designer is concerned about the Why, How and How of the product. The “Why” involves the user’s motivations for adopting a product, whether it’s related to a task they need to perform or the values and associations they have with the product.

The “What” focuses on the product’s functionality and what tasks users can perform with it. Finally, the How is concerned with designing functionality in a way that is accessible and aesthetically pleasing.

What’s the difference between UX design and UI design?

It’s important to outline that user interface (UI) design is not the same as UX design. UX design and UI design are both critical aspects of the product design process, but they focus on different aspects of the user experience.

As the expression points out, UX design is about understanding and improving the user experience with a digital product or service. This involves researching and understanding user needs, designing and testing solutions that meet those needs, and continuously iterating on the design based on user feedback.

On the other hand, UI design focuses on the user interface experience. In other words, it’s meant to design the visual and interactive elements of a product or service. This includes designing screens, buttons, icons, typography, and other visual elements, as well as creating a consistent design language that ensures a cohesive and intuitive experience for users.

UI designers work closely with UX designers to ensure that the visual and interactive elements of a product or service align with the overall user experience strategy.

Why is UX design a multidisciplinary field?

Since UX design follows the entire user journey, it’s an interdisciplinary field that draws expertise from various backgrounds, including visual design, programming, psychology, and interaction design.

To create a successful user experience, UX designers need to consider different factors, such as usability, accessibility, aesthetics, and user satisfaction.

They also need to work closely with different teams and stakeholders, such as product managers, developers, researchers, and marketers, to ensure that the design meets the users’ needs and business goals.

Therefore, UX design requires a broad range of skills and knowledge, drawn from different disciplines, to create effective and compelling user experiences.

What does a UX designer do?

The role a UX designer is to ensure that the design is intuitive, user-friendly, and meets the users’ needs and expectations. To achieve this, a UX designer may perform a variety of tasks, such as:

1. User research: Conducting research to understand users’ needs, behaviours, and preferences.
2. Creating user personas: Developing fictional characters that represent the target audience and help designers understand their motivations and goals.
3. Information architecture: Organizing and structuring information in a way that makes it easy for users to find what they need.
4. Wireframing and prototyping: Creating visual representations of the design to test and refine ideas before moving to the final product.
5. Usability testing: Testing the design with real users to identify issues and gather feedback.
6. Collaborating with other teams: Working closely with developers, product managers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the design meets business goals and technical requirements.

Overall, a UX designer’s main goal is to create a positive and meaningful user experience that meets both the user’s needs and the business objectives of the product or service.

How to become a UX designer?

To become a UX designer, there are several steps you can take:

1. Develop the necessary skills: UX design requires a range of skills, including design thinking, user research, wireframing, prototyping, and testing. You can acquire these skills through formal education, online courses, workshops, or self-study.
2. Build a portfolio: Create a portfolio that showcases your design projects, process, and skills. This can demonstrate your abilities to potential employers and clients.
3. Gain practical experience: Look for opportunities to gain practical experience, such as internships, freelance work, or personal projects. This can help you apply your skills to real-world scenarios and build your confidence.
4. Network: Attend industry events, join UX design communities, and connect with other designers and professionals in the field. Networking can help you learn about job opportunities, gain insights, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices.
5. Keep learning: UX design is a constantly evolving field, and it’s essential to stay up-to-date with new technologies, tools, and techniques. Continuously learning can help you improve your skills, advance your career, and stay competitive.

Remember that becoming a UX designer takes time, effort, and dedication. By developing your skills, gaining practical experience and networking, you can position yourself for success in this field.