Differences between UX, UI, and Graphic Design
Although these terms are often used together, they represent different areas of design, each with its own specificities.
What is UX design?
UX design, or User Experience design, focuses on the overall user experience a person has while using a product or service. The main goal of a UX designer is to ensure that using the product is simple, intuitive, and enjoyable. They explore user needs, create wireframes, prototypes, test, and optimize user interactions with digital products.
An example of UX design could be a food ordering app, where a UX designer checks how easy it is for a user to select a restaurant, choose dishes, pay, and track delivery.
What is UI design?
UI design or User Interface design deals with the look and aesthetics of the product interface, such as websites, mobile applications, or software programs. While UX design shapes how a product functions, UI design defines how a product looks and how users visually interact with it. A UI designer chooses colors, typography, icons, buttons, and the overall visual style.
Think of a UI designer as an interior decorator who decides what colors the walls will be, the style of furniture, and decorations in a room—only they do it on a screen of an app or a website.
What is graphic design?
Graphic design is a broader field of visual communication that is used to convey messages or ideas through images, colors, typography, and other visual elements. Graphic designers create various materials such as logos, brochures, posters, packaging, as well as elements of a company's visual identity. Unlike UI design, graphic design is not necessarily tied to user interaction with a digital product.
If you have seen a concert poster, packaging of your favorite chocolate, or your favorite brand's logo, those are examples of graphic design.
Key differences between UX, UI, and graphic design:
Focus:
UX design: User experience, functionality, ease of use.
UI design: Visual interface, aesthetics, interaction with the product.
Graphic design: Visual communication, branding, print and digital materials.
Methodology:
UX design uses research, testing, and user analysis.
UI design uses tools for visually shaping digital interfaces.
Graphic design applies tools for graphic processing and creating visual content.
For complete beginners, the simplest way to envision UX is as an architect planning space to be functional, UI as an interior designer arranging space to look beautiful and appealing, and graphic designer as an artist creating images and materials that attract attention and convey a clear message.
So, although UX, UI, and graphic design have common points, each area has its unique goals and specialized approaches. Understanding the differences between these areas will help you determine which design direction best meets your needs or business goals.