What is UX UI?

Often used but rarely understood, the terms UX and UI are both very trendy and particularly vague. In this article, our expert explains the differences between the two terms and their importance in the development of modern applications, in the hope that it will help you to shine in society...

What are the differences between UX and UI?

UX (User Experience) puts the user at the heart of everything we do, from the research phase through to the design and testing of mock-ups. The UI (User Interface), on the other hand, is the visual part of the interface that brings to life what has been imagined upstream by the UX. These two stages are different but highly complementary, and their integration makes it possible to create user-friendly interfaces.

As our expert Sophie Garyga, UX designeuse and head of our agency Le Renard Bleu, puts it: "UX/UI, if we take the definition, is all about the user's experience of all his interactions with the digital interfaces he uses . In a way, UX is a user-centered design method in which the user is at the heart of all considerations, from the research phase to the design and testing of mock-ups ". She also goes on to explain the difference between the two terms: " UX refers with X to the experience, which is a bit like the submerged phase of the iceberg. It starts well upstream of the actual design of the interface. We'll have the whole research phase linked to the UX, the whole functional skeleton design phase, the information hierarchy, the structure of the different pages we'll create for the interface and the UI. Then comes the User Interface, all the visual components that will bring this interface and everything imagined by the UX upstream to life ".

Here are 3 best practices to improve your application's user experience.

How important is the user experience in 2023?

In 2023, it is essential for companies to use UX to design their projects. This method enables them to anticipate potential development and error-correction costs that would not have been seen without UX. In this way, they can save time and secure developments by not going back later on things that are more costly and waste a project's time.

UX/UI is therefore a real benefit for both the user and the company in terms of ROI. Companies that integrate this method of user design can offer attractive, modern interfaces to their users, which can help them adhere easily to the interface. In the words of our UX designer: " In 2023, I think it's really important for companies to use UX to create their projects. I think it's something that companies are really starting to integrate, and so, as we know, user design is a real benefit for the user , of course, because we're going to propose a pleasant interface to which he'll easily adhere. Today, it's also a gain in terms of ROI, because it will enable companies to anticipate potential development costs and error correction costs that would not have been seen if no UX method had been put in place".

Interested in this topic? You can also read the 4 steps to effective user interface design.

UX/UI is therefore an investment that can pay off in both the short and long term. In conclusion, UX/UI is a key element in the success of corporate projects. It is therefore important for companies to integrate this design method into their processes in order to create attractive interfaces for users and optimize their ROI. How can you test and improve your UX? We explain!