Understand the key differences between UI (user interface) and UX (user experience) design in successful app development projects.

The following is a guest post from my bloggy friend Taylor McKnight. Interested in having a guest post on my website? Click here for my guest post submission form.

UI vs UX: Understanding the Essential Differences in App Design

User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) are two design concepts that represent essential components in app development. Both design methodologies share a common goal of creating a positive experience for users and strengthening the digital presence of the application itself. But although people often use the terms UI and UX interchangeably, these elements serve distinct purposes in the app creation process. It is important to understand the fundamentals of both concepts, recognize the key distinctions between the two terms, and identify how these components work together to create most intuitive apps for users. A comparative look at the difference between UI and UX in app development can provide guidance on the creation of successful digital products.

What Is UI in App Development?

User Interface (UI) refers to the visual and interactive parts of a website or digital application. These components are the elements that users observe at face value. They are also the parts that users need to navigate the app using a touchscreen, touchpad, or keyboard. You will want to make sure that the app is easily operable when it comes to this matter. UI may include the application’s layout, buttons, icons, menus, animations, or scroll bar. It is basically the outline or structure of the overall phone operations. 

Although it may feel easy to take UI for granted, it is actually a revolutionary concept in app development. In the early years of computer usage, individuals needed to know programming languages to complete the most basic tasks. Upon the arrival of screens and graphical interfaces, however, anyone could interact with apps and input commands with no coding knowledge required. UI helps individuals use and incorporate apps productively. In addition to navigation, UI helps with usage consistency as well as brand identity. Sometimes people over indulge when it comes to UI and they can make an app too operable. Therefore, finding a good in between of it being over sensitized is the key. 

What is UX in App Development?

User experience (UX) refers to an individual’s overall participation and satisfaction with an application. It involving creating an accessible and enjoyable journey for the app user from start to finish. First coined in the 1990s, the process involves comprehensive analysis and strategy to ensure that the app fulfills the needs and expectations of its intended audience. A term to relate to this is customer satisfaction but in this case it would be overall user satisfaction. Therefore, no matter who is operating it, as long as the user is satisfied with the app then UX is successful.

For example, UX can involve research in the form of surveys, interviews, and usability testing to understand the audience’s requirements and behaviors. UX goes beyond aesthetics and may include information architecture (IA) to ensure that all features flow in a logical way. In addition, an app developer may create multiple prototypes for beta observation before releasing the app itself. The goal of UX is to create solid engagement and retention that can result in loyal users and a positive reputation for the brand. It is very touch and go and do not get frustrated as many must troubleshoot throughout the process. The inner operational routes are explored here and if done so correctly will conclude with a very easy app walk through.

What Is the Difference Between UI and UX in App Development?

UI and UX play separate but complementary roles in the creation of a cohesive application. For any app, UX establishes the framework that determines how users will interact with the program, and UI guides the user through this interaction using an intuitively and visually attractive design. Both elements are necessary for an app to work. An app that includes a highly practical UX can still fail if the UI is an attractive, and users will delete apps with beautiful UI if the experience is full of problems or technical errors. However, if both work well together they can create a perfect formula with an excellent solution.

As an analogy, you can think of UX as the blueprint or frame of your house. It provides a solid, reliable structure and also determines logical flow. In comparison, think of UI as the exterior and interior design of the house. The exterior design is aesthetically pleasing and offers curb appeal, and the interior design makes the home more comfortable and livable for all occupants.You will want the UI and UX to go hand in hand as the interior and exterior should go together well.

Conclusion

In digital development, UI and UX work in tandem to create successful multi-faceted and engaging apps for users. UI is responsible for attractive visual and graphic design, providing the user with an easily operable and efficient experience. While UX ensures satisfactory performance with the landing pages and overall functionality of the app’s interface. Whether you are creating a social app or launching a digital component for e-commerce or business, UI and UX are the best ways to create a lasting impression and secure success. The application’s UI and UX could be compared to that of a website. Some website creation sites make sure that UI and UX are apart of the process so that the functionality can be taken to a mobile device. More than likely if an app is on the app store then there is a website for it too.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Appodeal