App design: What is UX, UI and IxD?
When we talk about app design we think about the color used , the style, the design of the application icon and other variables that are visible to the naked eye.
But application design goes much further and must respond to the needs of UX, UI and IxD . Let's see how each of them affects app design.
If you are familiar with app design , you probably know what they mean, and if you don't know what it is about, this article will make it much clearer. Pay attention to the importance of usability and user experience when designing your mobile app development services .
UX or User Experience
When we talk about UX we refer to the user experience . It focuses on the user, on what they want to do with the mobile application or on the screen. We refer to experimentation before, during and after interacting with the mobile device screen.
It is one of the focuses that has been talked about in application design. Yes, the app has to be beautiful and attractive, with a good design, but it also has to contribute to the user. You have to improve your experience with technology.
To achieve a good UX design we have to know our typical user, our target, identify the needs and motivations of the user/client and design accordingly. Both interface, content and interactions are the focus of discussion for app design. Especially when improving the user experience.
UI or Interface Design
In this case we focus on the app design , but from the perspective of the artifact itself: we focus on the mobile device, be it a Smartphone, tablet, phablet, wearable, etc. We focus on what happens inside the screen, where the user accesses it and where it does not.
Although it is usually related to graphic design, they do not always have to be synonymous. What the UI does address is the design of texts, content, the consistency of the design and other resources.
IxD or Interaction Design
This is the part that we have not talked about yet on Yeeply, and although it is always secondary, it is important to know what it consists of. In IxD, UX and UI converge.
Interaction design consists of defining the way the interface we design operates, the interaction flows and the responses of the device. We will define, for example, whether we do a single or double touch, or a slide to access a certain screen. In short, it is applying what we discover about the user experience and adjusting it through interface design.
App design professionals
For those less experienced in the mobile application sector, a single profile, the traditional designer, is the one in charge of designing the mobile app . But the complexity of interaction with mobile devices makes app design also complex.
Optimizing the design of a web app , a native app, or even a responsive website goes further. If we want to do it well we must take into account the profiles that we are going to need. In line with what we have explained in the previous section, we will need at least one UX expert and another for UI. Let's see how they differ and what the characteristics of each one are, they tell us from UXDesigner21.com .
UX Designer
The application designer focused on user experience has a more technical profile. The design 'thinking' process carried out by this app professional combines critical and creative thinking .
The UX app designer's technique is based on the user's needs , but only after studying and analyzing the user to have a more precise perspective. It is undoubtedly a design focused on the interaction of the user and people with the app and its design.
The most important points for this app professional are the screens or 'scenarios' and the flow of tasks, that is, the interaction between screens and the functionality itself. This type of expert usually has advanced knowledge of creating wireframes, prototyping apps , and analyzing and collecting information and getting feedback on their designs.
Professionals such as: information architect, program manager, content strategist or functional analyst fit this profile of the UX designer .
UI Designer
On the other hand, the application designer focused on interface design has a more creative profile. The thought process of this app professional combines convergent and creative thinking. That is, he has to think about the union of all the parts of the app.
The UI app designer's technique is based on the user's needs, but it also depends on the requirements of the device and user, it has to adjust to both the digital and human environment. It is undoubtedly a design focused on the style and general design of the app. He generally lets himself be carried away by trends in app design for the most creative part.
The most important points for this app professional are the colors used for the app and the icon, but also the typography that will affect usability and readability.
This type of expert usually has advanced knowledge of creating mockups, making graphics for the app, and designing project layouts. Professionals such as: graphic designer, web designer, brand designer or frontend developer fit this profile of the UI UX design services .