User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) designs are vital elements that work hand-in-hand in creating a high-quality website design. Having good UI and UX design within your website can boost user interaction, increase customer satisfaction and draw attention to your brand.
Given that UI and UX design are closely interlinked, it can be hard to differentiate one from the other. However, it is vital to understand that they handle two different parts of the design process.
To help you incorporate them into your website design, here is a simple guide on UI and UX design.
What is UI design?
UI design is about the graphic style of your website. It also considers how your users will interact with it, be it through text, images or other visual elements. You need to ensure that your website is legible and easy to read, and not just aesthetically pleasing.
What is UX design?
On the other hand, UX design focuses on the entire experience of the users whilst they are on your site. Having a good UX design means that every feature on your website should be relevant, useful and functional. Thus, you should be involved in the entire design process, from creating prototypes to testing the site’s functionality.
Keen to get a good UI and UX website design? Consult a professional web design agency to develop a smooth and visually-appealing website for your brand.
What are the key differences between UI & UX design?
Although people often mix them up, they are two distinct terms in the design process. The main differences between them are:
- UX design deals with the functionality and purpose of your website, whereas UI design handles the visual and the appeal of the interface.
- UX design looks at the user flow and journey of your website design. Meanwhile, UI considers the design of the interactions in each step of the user journey.
What are the design principles of UI?
#1 Clarity
Users should be able to use your website effectively while facing little to no trouble. Users should understand your website design’s interface and content so that they won’t take any incorrect steps and actions.
Clarity also refers to the legibility and readability of the website’s content, including the images and visual elements.
#2 Flexibility
Maintain consistency in your website design, but keep a flexible design system so that you can adapt and scale to different interfaces. If you’re adding a new element to your website, ensure that it has more than just one variation and use. This applies to buttons, menus and screen sizes.
At the end of the day, this will mean that your website can last for a long time.
#3 Structure
When you create a visual hierarchy of elements, you can direct users to click on specific parts of the webpage. Typically, the most important information should be placed at the top, bolded and centred to attract users immediately.
This includes key elements such as your brand name, logo, titles, important key messages and Call-To-Action buttons.
What are the design principles of UX?
#1 Consistency
Keeping a standard navigational and interface design throughout your website can make it easy for users to intuitively find what they want with ease. This will give users a sense of familiarity and control, which leads to a better experience.so
It is also important to keep up with any current website trends that users are often familiar with. By utilising flows and logics that users are accustomed to, they are more capable of navigating through the entire user journey without assistance. That is a true mark of a good application of design.
#2 User Control
When users have control over what they’re doing on your website, they will have a better UX for sure. This is accomplished by providing them with back, cancel or undo buttons to return from or undo an accidental click.
Improving users’ navigational experience creates a more efficient process, thus increasing their overall satisfaction throughout your website.
#3 Usability
UX also involves simplifying the user journey to make your website easy for everyone to use. Ensure that each button and piece of content within your website design comes with a purpose, and highlight the most important elements to bring them to your users’ attention.
Ultimately, you want to create a usable design that will improve the overall user experience.
Concluding Thoughts
A website with poor UI and UX design will frustrate customers and drive them away, so always prioritise them to achieve your website goals. Now that you understand how they contribute to your audience’s experience, you can start applying these learning points in your website design or revamp.
If you need more help leveraging on UI and UX to develop an engaging website, get in touch with a UI/UX proficient team of web developers today.