What is UX Design: A complete 1-in-all summary

Most of VALocator’s clients struggle with the question of what is UX design and how it can help them. It is also quite common to misunderstand their purpose or where they should step in. So, we wanted to create this summary of everything related to UX design and how it can help you.

UX (User Experience) Designer is a professional who creates and improves the overall experience of a product, specifically a digital product like websites or applications. The goal of a UX designer is to make sure that the product is functional and enjoyable for the target audience.

How does UX Design Works? 

UX design involves conducting user research, creating prototypes, testing, and iterating designs. Once this process is done, they work with developers to bring designs to life. 

UX designers work to ensure that the product is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and meets the users' needs. They use design principles such as information architecture, interaction design, and user-centered design to create intuitive products. Their main goal is to ensure the happiness and effectiveness of the final product. 

The word “happiness” is not just thrown in there; an essential part of what is UX design is, and what does an UX designer do is keep in mind how the user feels. 

The accessibility of the product is essential, but the emotions and overall satisfaction it provides are also vital. Is it easy to pick up? Does it require training? Is it trustable? These valid questions relate more to the emotional than the physical side. 

Who is responsible for the UX design?

UX Designers can come from various backgrounds; they can be people from something other than the IT sector. What defines a successful UX designer is, typically, a strong understanding of design principles, user research methodologies, and a deep empathy for users. 

They also should have experience or be open to learning wireframes creation and how to build prototypes that can be tested. 

Some UX designers start their careers as graphic or web designers and then transition into UX design as they gain experience and interest in this niche. Others may start as researchers or product managers and then shift their focus to design. 

Regardless of their background, UX designers must communicate effectively with everyone, work well in a team, and be willing to iterate their designs based on user feedback. One thing that all UX designers share is their in-depth interest in research and constant update on the latest trends. 

What does a UX designer do?

UX designers are responsible for a variety of tasks throughout the design process. Some are tasks exclusively related to what they do, while otters are more on the team side. Here are some of the most common daily tasks:

1. User Research: 

UX designers research to understand the target users' needs, behaviors, and motivations. This may involve interviews, surveys, and usability testing to gather data.

1. Information Architecture: 

UX designers structure and organize a product's content and functionality, including the navigation and hierarchy of pages and content.

1. Wireframing and Prototyping:

UX designers create low-fidelity wireframes to quickly test and iterate ideas and then create high-fidelity prototypes to demonstrate how the product will look and function.

1. Interaction Design: 

UX designers define how users will interact with the product, including how they will input and receive information and navigate the product.

1. User Testing: 

UX designers conduct user testing to validate their designs and gather feedback to make improvements.

1. Collaboration with Development Team: 

UX designers work closely with developers to ensure that the design is technically feasible and to ensure that the product is built to meet the user's needs.

1. Iteration and Refinement: 

UX designers continually iterate and refine their designs based on user feedback and testing results.

However, this list is always in constant evolution. Many professionals are evolving in this field every day as UX design becomes more complex. 

A good UX designer knows that his job goes beyond a simple facade, and he needs to connect with many aspects of other departments. Marketing strategy and operational optimization are just examples of what he needs to consider as a bigger picture. 

Are UX and UI design connected?

UX (User Experience) and UI (User Interface) design are separate but interconnected disciplines in product design. While UX design focuses on the overall experience of using a product, including the process of acquiring and using a product, UI design focuses specifically on the design of the product's interface and how users interact with it.

UX design is concerned with the user's journey, mapping out their experience and ensuring it is intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable. This involves conducting user research, creating wireframes and prototypes, testing and iterating designs, and working with developers to bring designs to life. 

UX design is a multi-disciplinary field that draws from psychology, design, and technology to create products that meet the user's needs.

On the other hand, UI design is focused on a product's visual design, including the layout, typography, color, and other graphic elements. UI designers are responsible for ensuring the product is aesthetically pleasing and easy to use by creating intuitive and visually appealing interfaces that help users navigate and interact with the product. 

Examples of UI design include buttons, icons, and dropdown menus that provide an interface for the user to interact with the product.

What should I look for if I want to hire a UX designer?

Now that you know what is UX design, you need to start planning the hiring process for one. Like many technical positions, you must understand what they do before considering an interview. 

Here are some considerations in case you wish to look for one. Always consider the UX Designer's skills, experience, and qualifications before hiring. 

The right candidate will be up to date with current industry trends, have a good understanding of user-centric design principles, and have a portfolio of relevant work to show you. 

To help you assess the candidate, here are some questions you may want to consider

• What do you believe makes a successful user experience?
• What UX software or tools do you use?
• How would you analyze users?

Is it best if I have a fixed UX designer or a freelancer?

A freelancer UX designer and a hired UX designer both work to create user interfaces and experiences that are easy to use, visually appealing, and efficient. However, several advantages and disadvantages of each should be considered.

One advantage of hiring a freelancer UX designer is that it is usually more cost-efficient than hiring a full-time employee. Freelancers often have lower overhead costs, which result in lower rates than those of hired UX designers who a company employs. 

Another advantage of hiring a freelancer UX designer is that it often gives the business access to a broader range of expertise. 

Since different freelancers specialize in different areas of UX design, the business may have access to more creative solutions and more specialized knowledge than they would by hiring a full-time employee.

Additionally, businesses may have more flexibility regarding the project duration, as freelancing may be ideal for projects with specific timeframes. Disadvantages of hiring a freelancer include less control over quality and less consistency in the overall design. 

Businesses may find it challenging to establish a long-term relationship with a freelancer, as freelancers often need consistent availability.

Something that translates into a very complex challenge as you might need him to become an expert in a specific platform or with certain tools. It all boils down to your personal preference and what you want your UX designer to do. 

Can VALocator help me find a professional UX designer?

At VALocator, we have a lot of experience handling professionals from different backgrounds to help you achieve your goals. 

Our UX designers always go the extra mile to find the perfect match for your needs. Having freelancers is effective when you face a deadline or need to finish a project early, but having someone available just for you always pays more in the long run.

Do not hesitate to contact our internal team to learn more about our packages!