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Alula TYC
Alula TYC

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Can someone ELI5 the difference UI and UX

I thought I knew the difference between UI and UX. That is why I planned and started writing a blog about it. But then I started researching it, and I ended up confused.
For me, UI is the platform and UI designer is focused on it. UX, on the other hand, is about the user. And UX designer focuses on the user and his/her experience.
But when I look up what a UX designer does it involves wireframing and prototyping, that doesn't add up to me. I believe UI designer should do that.
Am I missing something here? Can you guys help?

Top comments (8)

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gabe profile image
Gabe

For me if you were to grab a UI designer and a UX designer and tell them to design a page, the UI designer would design a beautifully looking webpage with all the bells and whistles & slick micro-interactions. While the UX designer may design something that is not as visually appealing, maybe more bland, but helps the user get straight to what they want. Just my two cents

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altsyset profile image
Alula TYC

Thanks, that is a good way to look at it.

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altsyset profile image
Alula TYC

Bit the UI guys might get offended by your interpretation.

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gabe profile image
Gabe

Hope not! I know there are tons of UI designers who know UX and vice-versa so my bad if I stepped on any ones toes lol

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georgecoldham profile image
George • Edited

UI (user interaction) is how it looks, how it makes the user feel, the small animations and quality of life stuff.

UX (user experience) is a (good) government site. It is what it says on the tin, there is nothing distracting, its full accessible. It is efficient and gets the job done.

EDIT: I always look to the GOV.uk sites for almost pure UX, all interactions and styling are only there to make the site more usable. Their patterns here.

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altsyset profile image
Alula TYC

Thanks but what do you mean by government site?

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georgecoldham profile image
George

updated my comment

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altsyset profile image
Alula TYC

That is awesome example, will metion you if I actually wrote the blog.