UI vs UX

Despite significant overlap, there are a few notable differences between user interface design (UI) and user experience architecture (UX) that require disparate skillsets. Creating a winning interface is from the field of industrial design, which focuses on creating a seemless and intuitive interaction at each contained point of human-machine interface. Creating an experience, meanwhile, is in the field of product development and customer psychology, focusing on user perception and emotional reaction. An experience expert will work with design, of course, but also with development and architecture, marketing, business, and product in order to craft a complete, coherent, and consistent touch anytime the customer is involved.

It is quite common for these roles to be carried out by the same person, especially in smaller companies and start-ups, as many of the same aesthetic skills required to create a great design are also required to understand how best to appeal to the user in an emotional and intuitive way at all levels of the experience. However, it is also not wholly unusual, nor at all incorrect, to separate straightforward design from the full experience, giving that responsibility to a product-oriented person (or persons) who will be in charge of ensuring a timely delivery of an amazing setup.

The areas of the experience will encompass just about everything: the web and desktop application, the mobile application, the hardware (if relevant), the backend architecture (including speed and reliability), marketing materials, packaging, media presence, and customer support; an experience expert will be involved in the development and review of everything, determined to deliver a complete product that will impress and inspire the user at every conceivable touch point.

The all-time world champion at delivering a flawless user experience is, of course, Apple. They have turned an aggressive and pervasive attention to detail into an impressive $700 billion company with rabid customer loyalty and a sales trajectory experienced by no other. Despite products that, on the surface, are not wholly original or unique, their execution has created a near flawless experience, and customers have proven willing to pay handsomely for it. They think of the user first, and have thus trounced the competition in nearly every market they have entered.

When building a product, make sure the interface is solid, and that each point of user interaction is engineered to create an emotional and intuitive experience. If you accomplish that level of perfection, the user will reward you!

Originally published at Healey Engineering.