What do I do as a UX/UI Designer?
When I try to explain my job as a UX/UI Designer to my family, I find it difficult to convey its complexity and significance. However, I have come up with a comparison that sheds light on it. It is similar to what an architect does in construction. Let's simplify and better understand this parallel between creating physical and digital spaces.
The Role of an Architect in a Construction Project
When an architect is tasked with building a house or a building, it's their job to understand what their client wants. They listen carefully, analyze, and interpret their client's preferences to create a tangible project. They consider both the way it looks and how it functions so that the space they create is not only practical but also emotionally satisfying for the people who will live or work there.
What a UX/UI Designer Does
This is where my work comes in. As a digital architect, I also engage in conversations with users. I strive to comprehend their difficulties and desires when using applications or websites. Based on this information, I devise a framework for how these digital systems will function and appear. It’s not just about the visuals; it’s also about how people will interact and feel while using these products.
Comparing the Processes
An architect brings an idea to life by carefully considering the client’s needs and desires, a UX/UI Designer sets out to create a digital product that meets the expectations of both the client and the target audience. By conducting research, creating sketches and models, and gathering feedback, UX/UI Designers carefully craft a user-friendly and effortless digital experience.
Just as the architect communicates with engineers and builders through detailed plans, the UX/UI Designer works with developers, providing exact technical specifications to ensure the correct implementation of the design.
In the real world, architects and UX/UI designers make our lives easier. For example, architects can design homes that are easy to use for people with reduced mobility, similarly, UX Designers can enhance online shopping apps to be accessible to people with visual impairments by incorporating voice features, making navigation and interactions more inclusive and user-friendly.
In summary, UX/UI Design and architecture are two distinct fields with unique challenges and rewards. Both professions require creativity, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of human needs. UX/UI Designers are the architects of the digital world, shaping our interactions with technology, while architects are the builders of our physical environment, shaping the spaces we live, work, and play in.
Original article in Portuguese: https://alcinodagraca.medium.com/o-que-eu-fa%C3%A7o-como-designer-de-ux-ui-76be4edcdb19
