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UI vs UX Design: What’s the Difference?

By Shaharyar Technologies | May 26, 2026

UI vs UX Design: What’s the Difference?

Walk into any design team, and you'll hear the phrase "UI/UX" thrown around constantly. Sometimes it refers to a single designer. Other times it describes an entire department. The meaning behind UI/UX design and what separates the two often gets blurry, even for people who work in the field.


So let's clear it up. If you've ever typed "what is ui/ux" into a search bar or wondered what these two services are designing, this article breaks it all down. Read it and learn about them!

What Does UI And UX Stand For?

UI stands for User Interface, and UX stands for User Experience. Both form the backbone of designing digital products such as applications, websites, and software.

What is UI (User Interface) design?

User interface (UI) designing is the practice of crafting every visual and interactive element a person touches, sees, or clicks inside a digital product. It encompasses buttons, typography, color schemes, icons, spacing, animations, layout, and so forth.


A UI designer's work is largely visual. They translate a product's functionality into something beautiful, consistent, and intuitive. In other words, these experts bring those designs to life through visuals and aesthetics.

User Interface (How it looks)

  • Visual design and aesthetics

  • Color typography

  • Component libraries

  • Micro-animations and transitions

  • Responsive and accessible layouts

  • Brand consistency across screens

Tools Used For UI (User Interface)

  • Figma

  • Adobe Illustrator

  • Zeplin

  • Principle

  • Lottie

  • Storybook

  • Design tokens

What is UX design?

User experience (UX) design is about the experience a person has with a product before, during, and after using it. Questions that come to mind when designing the user experience are: Why would someone exit from a checkout screen? In what sequence should these steps be placed? How do frustrations arise within the experience?


UX design is data and research-based. It includes user interviews, journey maps, wireframes, usability testing, and iterations. The end result is ensuring the experience is not only functional but also delightful.

User Experience (How it works)

  • User research and personas

  • Information architecture

  • Wireframes and low-fi prototypes

  • Usability testing and iteration

  • Task flows and maps

  • Accessibility and inclusivity strategy

Tools Used For UX (User Experience)

  • Figma

  • Maze

  • Hotjar

  • Miro

  • User Testing

  • Optimal Workshop

  • Notion

The Difference Between UI/UX Design

UI and UX design are among the most important and misunderstood disciplines. UX is about how a product works. It covers user research, information architecture, wireframing, and usability testing. The goal is to make sure the product is logical, intuitive, and genuinely useful for the people it's built for.


UI is about how a product looks. It covers visual design, color systems, typography, components, and interactions. The goal is to make the product visually appealing, consistent, and polished across every screen. Together, UI/UX design creates products people love using.


For better understanding, take a look at the table below:

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What is The Role of UI/UX in Designing?

UI and UX design play distinct but deeply connected roles in creating digital products. In UX, a designer conducts research, maps flows, builds wireframes, and tests usability to ensure the product works logically and effortlessly. But in UI, they craft the colors, typography, components, and interactions that make the product look and feel polished. An attractive and well-designed product is crafted when both work in harmony.

The Bottom Line


UI and UX are not the same thing. Just trying to understand what these terms mean: user interface refers to the layout of such an app or software, while user experience refers to how a user can easily utilize it and what experience they have from it. When put together, these make up all the digital experiences one has ever had. Also, if you are looking for professional UI/UX design services for your next project? That is what we are here for. We design intuitive and beautiful digital products for our clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can one person do both UI and UX design?


Yes, many designers, especially at startups or agencies, do both. However, the depth of skill in each area tends to differ.


Is UX design the same as user interface design?


No. User interface design is a subset of what's on the screen: colours, layouts, buttons, and components. UX design covers the entire user journey, including research, flow, and usability testing.


Do I need to know coding to work in UI/UX?


Not typically, though basic knowledge of HTML and CSS helps UI designers communicate more effectively with developers.


What is UX UI design used for?


UX and UI design are used across every digital product category: mobile apps, websites, enterprise software, e-commerce platforms, SaaS tools, games, and even smart device interfaces.


What are the expected salaries of UX and UI?


UX and UI designers get paid almost the same, so it’s really a matter of which role you prefer.

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