UI/UX Design Basics
In everyday life being so adapted and used to technology, users and designers skim through millions of different interfaces. Whether it be websites, apps, or software, we normally launch something for the first time with little noticeable reaction toward the design. Little do we know that through psychology and certain design principles, a design can subconsciously affect us and our emotions. Different layouts, colors, and words can speak to us as people, and we don’t even realize the complexity of it because we are so used to it being in our faces all the time. What you are reading this article on right now has an interface based on what device you are using. User Interfaces and Experiences are very important and make up a large majority of why technology and software succeed.
The user interface (UI) of something can be defined as the designed interaction between the user and the technology used. This means that anything that has a certain layout or structure that helps the user interact with is considered UI. The user experience (UX), however, is the overall experience the user has when interacting, especially if it is positive. That is pretty self-explanatory. Both of these elements go hand in hand to ensure that the user is more than satisfied with whatever piece of technology is being presented and that the technology itself advances as a result.
To go more in-depth, there are a variety of ways that UI and UX designers compare, test, and design the websites and apps you use every day. One method that is used by professional UX and UI designers is A/B testing. Also identified as split testing or bucket testing, A/B testing is used for comparing apps and websites of the same design through different platforms to see which performs the best. Two variables factor into this testing experiment- control and variation. So how exactly does it work? Web designers take a webpage and app screen and edit it so that there is another version of each. Data is then collected to determine which performed better- the website or the app. This testing tool is very important because it helps web designers fulfill web optimization and gives the user a better experience as well. The user interface and user experience tie into A/B testing, logically. If a website has a better-designed UI, it will result in a more positive UX, which leads to the website performing better in an A/B test.
Despite the relationship between UI and UX, each element has its own role. UI, more specifically, is centered more around appearance and interaction that appeals to the user. UX design is more analytical and observant of the specific functions of the UI. The UI of an app or website can be compared to the outside of the human body, and the UX can be compared to the organs that make up what the body ultimately is. The two partner together to function and perform at their best.
Jobs that revolve around UI and UX design are usually very well-paying and successful. Since it is such a needed thing in today’s world of dominant technology, there is always a job opening for this type of design. Pretty much any company or business needs a way to brand themselves to expand, and with that comes technology and social media, which needs to be designed in a way that is satisfying for the user. Searching locally on Indeed, I found that the majority of UI/UX jobs with medium educational experience pay around $40-65 thousand a year. I also found that jobs with exceptional, high-level educational experience in UX/UI pay a lot more. There are many different jobs you can get with knowing UI/UX. Some that I found include Senior UI/UX Designer, Mid-Level Web/Graphic Designer, UX Specialist, Interaction Designer, UI/UX Instructor, and many more.
Ultimately, it is possible to have a successful career in UI/UX design, even if the education levels are not there. Plenty of freelance UI/UX designers make lots of money working for clients who need something designed. Many people also get pretty decent jobs with even medium-level education experience in UI/UX, like startup companies or even things like news stations and schools.
Sources: