The difference between UX, CX, UI testing and what tools to use for each of them
To accomplish excellence when designing a mobile application we must concentrate our efforts on the UI, UX, and CX design. But we know that it is common for these acronyms to generate some confusion. Therefore, our expert in UX/UI design, clarifies these concepts to know what each of them covers.
Devising and designing a unique and exclusive application is a complicated task. It is common to find several mobile applications to solve the same task, but not all meet the expectations of the end-user to the same extent. In order to achieve this satisfaction, aspects such as the platform for which it is designed (iOS, Android, Windows Phone), the navigability of the app, the implementation of a look and feel according to the brand and service must be taken into account client that covers all phases.
UI: User Interface
The user interface design is the visual translation of all the elements of the app with which the user will interact directly. In other words, it is a compendium of everything the user receives as visual feedback. It, therefore, includes the design of the buttons and fields of forms, as well as how we make use of the color palette, the copy and interactions or transitions within the application, among many other elements. We must not forget that when we talk about user interface we must include not only the visual aspects but also the auditory aspects. A clear example of the latter would be the voice of a GPS application.
It is often said that a good user interface is one that is invisible and focuses on the usability of the app. But be careful, it is important to clarify this statement. When we talk about invisible design, we talk about design that does not generate noise or distraction in the accomplishment of tasks. The best examples of optimized UIs are those in which the brand image is generated and strengthened without neglecting usability.
There are several phases and processes in the design of the user interface that I can name. These are some of the most viable:
Collection of functionality requirements. This step covers the assembly of a list of the functionalities required to achieve the project objectives and the potential needs of the users. Usually, this stage begins right after the discovery session with the client.
User and task analysis. This is the study on how potential users will perform the tasks that the design must support. This stage is related to the research of users that we do as part of the UX design process.
Information architecture (AI). This process covers the development of the process and the information flow of the system. During this phase, we chose the UI interaction style, the design pattern, and the visualization technique. Many of the UI design techniques are formed during the Information Architecture stage.
Prototyping. This stage covers the development of prototypes, wireframes, models, paper prototypes or simple interactive screens.
Usability inspection. The usability inspection can be used to evaluate prototypes or specifications for the system, which generally cannot be tested on users. The usability inspection methods are a cognitive path, a heuristic evaluation, and a pluralistic path.
Usability tests. The user interface design tests allow us to understand the reception of the design from the viewer’s point of view. Typically, during usability tests, users are asked to complete tasks to see where they encounter problems and experience confusion.
Graphic user interface design (GUI). This is a real aspect of the graphic user interface design. At this stage, we choose visual communication and problem solving by the use of typography, photography, and illustration.
Software maintenance. Occasional maintenance goes after implementation to correct software errors, change features or completely update the system.
In the previous sections, I tried to collect, structure, explain and present all the main terms and nuances of the UI, CX and UX design.
However, there are some tools that help in your UI testing, like RAPISE by Inflectra, Abbot Java GUI Test Framework, AutoIt UI testing, CubicTest, eggPlant UI automation testing, FitNesse and Ascentialtest
UX: User Experience
The UX designer is responsible for ensuring the final satisfaction of the user. To do this, examine whether the application that has been created meets and covers the needs for which it was created. Wondering how can I make this easier for the user? How can I build happy users by extraordinary user experience?
A designer who wants to focus on the UX design must develop their creative and critical capacity to offer the best design solutions. And he will do this not only from a constructive point of view but also the disruptive one in order to contribute his knowledge both framed within style guides and ways of using the usual platforms, as well as to have the ability to get out of the box and offer new alternatives to what has already been established.
Its design principles are derived from the cognitive and behavioral analysis of the user, instead of aesthetic or compositional values since this field is the playing field of a user interface designer.
UX design tools for web design
Prototyping has become something necessary for designers who want to achieve success on the front of User Experience. They are allowed to test the idea before the development of an investment project. With these tools, you can check the product throughout the production process and make the perfections to create a vigorous user experience for your target audience.
Usability testing tools
When it comes to building a vigorous UX of your website, you may need these tools to help you gain control over the topic and identify the needs of the target users and their psychology. If you can identify what users really want and build an interface that is based on these contributions, the safe design will impress the audience. Usability Testing Tools are divided into remote usability testing tools, DIY services, and contact tools — Here is a list of them, so you can choose the one that suits you best. They are: UXReality, Crazy Egg, ClickHeat, Usabilla, Five Second Test, ClickTale, Feedback Army, etc.
CX: Customer Experience
CX Customer experience is defined as the sum of all the interactions a customer has with a company. These interactions put the figure of the consumer at the center of the focus throughout the course of a product or service.
The way to interact with the consumer is composed of multiple channels: physical, telephone, virtual, etc. To talk about customer experience is to do it from a multichannel experience perspective and that encompasses several stages ranging from the initial sensitization of a potential customer through the shopping experience, until after use. In other words, it covers pre-launch, launch and post-lunch.
We must bear in mind that good customer experience should involve and encourage the participation of all company roles, since only in that way will we come to a true understanding, planning and implementation of a specific plan to ensure total satisfaction of our customers.
If we move this to the process of creating and living a digital solution, such as a mobile application, we would be talking about the fact that the CX deals with the whole process in which we highlight the following phases: conceptualization (where the user’s figure should be taken/client as initial reference for decision making and solutions to be implemented), development, launch, and maintenance. In short, it is a question of adequately covering all the phases according to the requirements of each moment, whether informative, operative or administrative. Focusing our attention and including the client as an actor throughout the process we will generate loyalty and recurrence.
However, there are some tools that anyone focused on the customer experience can use. Of course, the size, structure, and offers of your company make a difference. Larger companies need robust ways to interact with a large number of customers. Service organizations are based on personal relationships that are often difficult to define. This list is for anyone in the organization, especially if they are looking to start focusing on the customer experience. These tools are: Zendesk, Satmetrix, ResponseTek, Adobe Experience, Manager, ClickTale, etc.
Conclusions
The three concepts are necessary when developing a mobile website or tool as they provide both structural and design solutions for our potential users.
They are not exclusive concepts, on the contrary, they are complementary, the application of them helps to prevent possible problems with which our users are going to find in the navigation or interaction with our website.
With a good analysis and design, our users will have a satisfactory experience and we will get you to visit our page again and again.
We hope that with this post you have been a little clearer what each thing is and what are the difference between UX, CX, UI testing.
Originally published at uxreality.com
If you enjoyed this article, feel free to clap 👏 to help others find it.
