According to recent studies, the market value for UI/UX design is set to reach USD 12,500 billion by 2027 and will grow by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.5%. (Source: KnowledgeHut) UI/UX designers are in demand as businesses become increasingly digitally driven.
So, why do businesses need UI/UX design?
Picture this: You get invited to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and when you get there, you notice a haunting scene. In a run-down factory, an old, wrinkly man with sloppy clothes carries a box of Wonka Bars from a factory unit near the garbage dump. No matter how tasty the chocolates are and how wonderful, famous, and rich Mr Wonka is, all you would want to do is leave.
Right?
This is the same for businesses today. Unless your business looks good, appealing, desirable, and promising, customers will want to leave on the first impulse. The first impression matters greatly for customer. Great UI/UX design is the reason behind the fame of mobile and web apps like Uber, Spotify, Just Eat, and Instagram.
This article will explore top UI/UX design processes and products. You can also find the answers to your questions on how to become a UI/UX designer yourself.
Unlocking the world of UI/UX design
What is UI/UX design?
UI/UX (User Interface and User Experience) is the branch of technology that helps build a brand image through digital platforms like mobile applications, websites, web design, web applications and more. As this is the era of digital business, a good UI/UX design process can be the reason a business gains or loses its revenue. The World Economic Forum disclosed that nearly 70% of all EU companies have reached a basic state of digitisation in 2022.As a UI/UX designer, you can develop a skill set that is highly coveted by clients, companies, and customers around the world.
Benefits of UI/UX design
UI/UX design, when leveraged well, can increase brand awareness, encourage customer loyalty, be responsible for causing customer leads and conversions, and can be a good reason why people prefer using a certain application over other applications. Good UI/UX design, or information architecture, is a seamless marriage of technology and art and is pleasing to the logical and artistic perceptions of a customer or consumer.
So, are UI/UX designs the same? What is the difference between UI and UX?
Read on to learn!
The role of UI design
The best real-life example of this can be Instagram. What do you see when you log in to Instagram? A login page, a home page, options for you to upload photographs, stories, and reels.
What makes Instagram’s user interface stand out?
Instagram is smooth and uses aesthetically pleasing colours and icons. Its accessible tools and its ability to think ahead of you with its predictive algorithm make it more enjoyable to use. For example, Instagram’s ‘Create’ option helps you build on another user’s public reel and make a new reel featuring yourself. It also has an array of filters to use on your photos giving the user multiple choices to suit their needs. A good user interface can also help you navigate the different areas of a business without feeling overwhelmed.
The focus of UX design
UX is concerned with the entire journey and experience a user goes through when using a company’s interface or platform.
What are some websites and apps known for amazing user experience?
- Temu
- TikTok
- Facebook Messenger
- Google Wallet
- Telegram
- Snapchat
An application with a good user experience is bound to be ranked higher by Google and creates much fame and revenue for the business. Mobile applications and web apps with good user experience are those that can solve the customer’s problem quickly while also making them happy with a pleasing design and aesthetic.
An application with good UI/UX design can help resolve issues quickly while also being fun to use.
Top secret: Elements of great UI/UX design
It takes more than just theoretical or technical knowledge to become a successful UI/UX designer, what you need is your very own secret sauce. Something that is built on your learning and talents.
Here are the four main ingredients found in good UI/UX design seen in successful web applications and mobile apps today.
1. Minimal design
Less is more! Today, applications with a minimalist design are highly valued by customers. An example of an application with a minimalist design is the online publishing platform, Medium.
2. Skeleton components
This refers to your drop-down menu and options seen on your application. Like any website, your application must have a simple yet efficient flow element like drop-down menus, forms, posts etc.
3. Eye-pleasing colours
Colour palette is highly important when it comes to creating a brand image through UI/UX design. As a UI/UX designer, you must consider choosing a colour combination that is pleasing yet impactful for your business image.
Did you know? Restaurants use the colour red frequently as this shade encourages customers to eat more food and spend more money. (Source: The Restaurant Academy)
4. Loading screen
When you open an application and the app takes a long time to load, all you are left with is a loading page. While most loading pages are static and do not entertain the user, if you design a loading page that keeps the user occupied while your application gets ready in the background, there is a higher chance of the app earning customer loyalty. For example, Google has come up with offline games for those moments when a webpage takes too long to load.
In conclusion, UI/UX design can be a very rewarding career for you if you have a passion for being a problem solver, have artistic talent, or an interest in understanding customer behaviour. The scope for earning high salaries is only increasing within the UI/UX industry as more businesses digitise themselves every year. You can make the most of this opportunity through reputed UI/UX design courses recognised by industry experts and top employers. Consider enrolling on IBAT’s Diploma in UI/UX Design today.
This article was written by Rebecca Paulraj