While UX is a word many people know of, itโs not a well-understood field by many. On the surface, it seems like a simple concept: make the user experience better. However, it requires extensive expertise that canโt be overlooked.
UX designers certainly need design and artistic skills, but the field is also highly linked to human cognition and other crucial non-design concepts.
Understanding UX better helps both designers and brands achieve better outcomes. Letโs clear up some common misconceptions about UX below.
Here are five things about user experience (UX) that few people may know:
1. UX Is Not Just About Design
While UX design is often associated with creating appealing interfaces, it’s actually a broader field that covers a range of activities. Yes, the visual aspects certainly matter, but they are only part of successful UX.
Contrary to what many think, UX encompasses everything from researching user needs to evaluate the effectiveness of an interface. UX designers must also consider factors such as information architecture, content strategy, and user testing.
Think about an eCommerce storeโs web design, for example. How the website looks certainly matters. It should align with the brandโs image and proven design practices. But the user experience is also about how a person interacts with the website. Is it organized in a logical manner? Is the navigation intuitive and marked well? Can people find all of the information they need? Is the purchasing process quick and simple? These are critical UX questions to address.
2. UX Design Is Not a One-Time Process
UX design is an iterative process that involves continuous testing and refinement, not a one-time event. It’s not enough to simply design an interface and release it to users without ever touching it again. Instead, UX designers must gather feedback and make improvements to ensure that the interface meets the evolving needs of users.
Think about how many times your favorite operating system (iOS, Android, etc.) has gone through changes. The current iOS version is far different from the first one launched over 15 years ago. Each time Apple launched a new iOS, the operating systemโs appearance, functionality, and overall experience improved. They worked to smooth out any bugs and continuously address user experience.
3. UX Designers Don’t Make All the Decisions
While UX designers play a critical role in creating user-centered designs, they don’t work in a vacuum. UX designers must collaborate with stakeholders from different departments such as marketing, engineering, and product management to ensure that the design meets business goals and technical requirements.
Therefore, collaboration is critical for successful UX design. The designers, other departments, and stakeholders must work together to ensure a great overall experience. Communication throughout the planning, design, and review process is essential. Designers must know limitations and needs ahead of time so that they can best execute a comprehensive design.
4. UX Research Is a Science
People often think of UX and other design areas as art. While an eye for aesthetics is valuable, UX research involves the use of scientific methods to understand user needs and behaviors. Research involves gathering data through methods such as surveys, interviews, and A/B usability testing, and analyzing it to identify patterns and insights.
Diligent UX research is essential for creating designs that meet user needs and achieve business goals. It shouldnโt be a guessing game or based solely on what seems right. Furthermore, the UX needs of one audience are not automatically the same as another. Each brand must understand the behaviors and preferences of its target audience.
5. UX Is Not Just for Digital Products
To many people, UX is synonymous with the digital world. While UX is most commonly associated with digital products such as websites and mobile apps, it can also be applied to physical products and environments.
UX designers can use principles such as user-centered design and human factors engineering to improve the usability and user experience of many products. Examples range from medical devices to transportation systems.
Turn to Matcha Design for Professional UX
The more you learn about UX, the more intricate and expansive it seems. Thatโs because it is! UX is a critical component of any website, app, digital offer, and physical product. It requires a keen eye and talent for design, as well as thorough research abilities, collaboration, communication, feedback implementation, and more.
For those reasons, UX professionals are highly sought-after. Fortunately, Matcha Design, a Tulsa web design company, is here to help with our complete UX and UI services. Our experienced design team offers comprehensive UX to help you better serve your customers. We understand the importance of a quality interface that balances both visual and functional elements to deliver the optimal experience for users. We implement industry-leading trends and proven methods to give you the best interface for your audience.
Learn more about our UX and UI services and how we can help your brand today by contacting our design experts.
