04. How Do You Define UX? Does It Matter?

If we all define UX differently, how do we build great software?

When I hear people say “UX/UI” it tells me one thing: Those people likely don’t know what a UX Designer really does. But maybe more critically, I’m willing to bet, they don’t understand the real value a UX Designer can bring to a team.

There are so many people around today that automatically connect UX design with visual design. As if UX designers are the evolution of web designers or digital designers. To me, that implies that in order to be a really effective UX designer you have to be a dribbble god with more likes than anyone else. And that just isn’t the case.

Let’s talk about what UX is NOT:

• UX is not visual design
• UX is not UI design.
• UX is definitely not mastering Figma.
• UX is not color theory or typography.
• UX is not about design systems.

All of these things can make or break the user experience, but just mastering these things will not lead to a great user experience.

If you’re guilty of conflating visual design with UX design, don’t sweat it. There’s always time to change!

Take a listen and we’ll break down why you think about them separately.

Topics:
• 01:26 – What is UX Design?
• 02:37 – What UX is NOT
• 03:05 – UX Design is about solving problems for users
• 03:30 – Don Norman’s definition of User Experience
• 04:37 – Many things can influence the User’s experience
• 06:28 – How do we know what a user’s problem truly is?
• 07:56 – A UX Designer’s job is to represent the users
• 08:23 – Storytelling is key to unlocking empathy
• 08:35 – The user’s experience is not the sole domain of the UX team
• 10:15 – When “good” UX goes wrong. Calendly fails in some aspects
• 13:39 – This all isn’t to say that visual design is insignificant

Helpful Links:
• What is UX design? 15 user experience design experts weigh in
• What is User Experience (UX) Design?
• The Definition of User Experience (UX)

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