Both graphic designers and UX (user experience) designers work in the creative field. While many people might think they have the same roles, they are entirely different. Graphic designers are creative and incorporate artistic tendencies to pass a message across. In contrast, UX experts focus more on how users interact with web products.
The two professions are marketable, but UX design has high demand globally. This is because it centres on improving the usability of digital products. It is a more technical job; ensure you are conversant with human interaction with web products. You also need to understand programming languages, e.g., CSS, HTML, etc. Besides, it is essential to understand coding to help you communicate with expert developers effectively. Not to mention branding strategies to help you develop effective product designs for SaaS UX services.
Conversely, graphic design is meant to appeal to users through artwork – it can be a poster, logo, publications, and other branding materials. Usually, companies use it as a marketing channel to promote their business. It is not as technical as UX design and requires creativity, colour theory, and computer-aided design skills.
As these two professions are distinct but integral for a high-quality web development process, a self-respecting company should have both in staff. So, how to find the right talent, and which skills to look for? Let us explore various aspects that make UX design different from graphic design. But before we look at the differences, here is an overview of the two design careers.
UX Designer
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Web product design is not complete without UX designers. They ensure users have a seamless experience while interacting with a particular product. As a customer, you need to enjoy using an app or e-commerce when completing a task. Therefore, the designer’s work is to ensure the users feel satisfied using the product. It entails logic combined with data analysis to come up with accurate results.
Before the design process begins, the experts conduct thorough research using data tools. The designers must learn what is currently trending in the market and identify potential users of a specific product. Once they have this information, they develop a wireframe design. This is a prototype that illustrates the design plan of a particular product. It has visual indicators, sound, and a physical presentation of their thought process.
Wireframing is a vital UX design phase that entails sketching by hand or with digital tools. The wireframe is the prototype that has the entire design plan for a specific product. It can be a mobile app, a site, or a user interface, among other digital products.
When the design team settles on the best wireframe, it proceeds to the coding phase. Even though a UX designer does not need coding skills, it is advisable to understand the languages for better communication with the developers. After coding is complete, the designers evaluate the design to check if it meets the users’ needs and provides a smooth user experience.
Apart from consumer influence, these professionals get inspiration from culture and society. That is why web products vary in different parts of the world.
Graphic Designer
Unlike UX, many people are familiar with graphic design. It is a typical job that has garnered popularity in small and large organizations. Professionals on the job illustrate their ideas by combining colours, text, and relevant imageries to deliver a message. That is why most companies and organizations recruit graphic experts. These experts effectively promote brand awareness and market different merchandise using visual design.
When it comes to the design process, you have various choices. For instance, you can select diverse hues, typefaces, and illustrations to incorporate into your design. You are free to choose a suitable format that will communicate the advertising message effectively. You also need to consider other design aspects: alignment, balance, and contrast. Your design must have emphasis and unity to create a strong visual impact.
You don’t need to have programming skills to create exceptional designs. But if you have the skills, you will rise above the rest to provide exceptional designs.
Differences
Various aspects differentiate the two designer specialties. Let’s dwell on the major factors that distinguish the two career options.
UX designers develop interactive products that resonate with the required audience. The main aim is to improve user experience with a web product. In contrast, graphic designers create graphical solutions to convey messages to a specific audience. It is usually to market particular products to customers
UX designers begin their work process from research until the users receive the final product. The user experience concept applies to mobile applications, websites, or specific tech devices that you can wear. Graphic design entails following a brief from a client or project manager on a particular design, followed by research and creation. These steps are not entirely technical like in UX design.
When it comes to advanced technology, UX design is now widespread in the VR field. It requires you to be knowledgeable about how computers interact with humans.
On the other hand, a graphic designer needs creative skills to align graphics and text to appeal to consumers and entice them to use a particular product or service.
Today, the tech industry continues to develop numerous web products. UX design is highly marketable, and the designers get a higher salary compared to graphic experts. Hence, satisfying the users remains a top priority for seamless operations.
UX and Graphic Design Are Part and Parcel of Web Development
Today, many graphic designer experts are moving forward to the UX field because it is more challenging and technical. Both professionals are essential in web product development. However, you can transfer some graphic design skills to UX design, like creativity, communication, and problem-solving. Apart from learning to code, you can broaden your role to information architecture, data analysis, and interacting with users.
Unlike graphic design, the primary goal of user experience specialists is to analyze how the consumer relates to the product. You have to identify the target audience and tailor the product design to suit their needs. Thus, if you were wondering if the two are similar, they are entirely different.
