If you are here, it is because you are interested in learning more about UX and UI design. If so, congratulations, it is definitely the right place to learn everything about a technique that is gaining more and more popularity, but, as you will see, it is not a novelty.

Since 1990, UX has been growing exponentially. We have been hearing to concepts such as usability, interaction design and information architecture. In the 1990s, well-known characters emerged in the current web industry such as Jakob Nielsen, Alan Cooper and Steve Krug. However, the user-centered design process dates back centuries; prehistoric ergonomic tools support this theory, and there are even examples of UX in nature!

Analyzing the UX of a banana, we can say that it is the easiest fruit to eat, compared to the time and effort it takes, for example, to consume an orange. It does not need to be washed, cutlery is not needed to peel it, and we do not get dirty when consuming it.

Although today there is still confusion and somewhat blurred limits in relation to the subject or frequently asked questions about what a UX designer does, in part due to the multiple definitions that can be found by doing a simple online search, we could provide the definition of UX in just one line: Design of user-centered experiences.

Let's start by understanding why UX. In linguistic terms, UX is an acronym where the “U” stands for “User”, while the “X” stands for “Experience”. This branch of design that emerges -like Customer Experience Design (CX) or Interaction Design (IxD)- from Human Centered Design or User Centered Design, aims to improve the user experience in relation to a product or service, whether digital or not.

Thus, it tries to understand in depth their perspective and motivations to design a route, from before the first point of contact until after the last interaction, anticipating their needs, desires, preferences, frustrations and feelings in general. With this end in mind, designers of user-based experiences or UX Designers must consider a series of principles at all times.

The fundamentals on which UX design is based to optimize the interaction of people with the product are usability, accessibility and interaction.
It is almost impossible to explain in depth what UX is without also including the UI definition and its implications, since although they are not the same -and in the following paragraphs we will see why- they are two sides of the same coin, and both disciplines are inextricably linked.

The User Interface (UI) refers to everything with which users interact directly, from packaging to a website, what can be seen or touched, the "element" with which users experience the experience that was designed in the UX process; in other words, the tangible part.

To illustrate the symbiosis that exists between UX and UI, we could bring up an example that you have surely experienced when closing an ad or pop-up. In many cases, even if the action you want to perform is the same, close the window or delete documents, to mention a few cases, a change in the color, shape, position and other variables of a simple button affects the process; therefore, UI or the visible part of the interface directly influences the experience and vice versa.

In turn, it is possible to incorporate identifying visual elements of the organization or brand, and through the interaction between the user and the interface, contribute to positioning and generate positive experiences in relation to it.

The UI must always support the processes that the UX designers determined to be favorable for interaction, reducing through aesthetics the potential errors that users can make, causing them frustration and, therefore, a worse experience.

In conclusion, although the UX concept is not a recent invention, it is a quasi-science since it is always in a beta or experimentation state and the discoveries made in all phases of the process allow us to take new directions, adapting the interfaces to the needs, preferences and most recent demands of recipients.

Accompanied by UI design, it allows you to create and optimize physical and digital products, improving experiences in relation to them and, consequently, the quality of life of users in many cases.

Day by day, the demand for professionals with knowledge in experience and interface design is increasing. In addition, the diversity of required profiles - together with the educational offer available - make this a great opportunity for all those who seek to turn their professional path there, while contributing to the creation of functional and enjoyable solutions.

Both terms are absolutely essential if you want to design an awesome web or application. For that, you should consider hiring a professional web and mobile app development agency.