UI/UX DESIGN

Dispelling Three Common Misconceptions in UI/UX

In UI/UX, myths shape perceptions and obscure realities. In this article, Cam Brinson dismantles misunderstandings that have long clouded the art and science of user experience design. Journey to the heart of what makes or breaks the user's digital experience.

Over time, the UI/UX (User Interface/User Experience) design discipline has accumulated a handful of myths and misconceptions. Designers and stakeholders alike have had their decision-making affected by these fallacies. They can slow down or misdirect design choices on a project. To help clear the air, here are three common misconceptions in the UI/UX field and how we can better understand them.

Accessibility is Optional

Making a website accessible is anything but optional. An accessible site is available to users with different skills and devices. There is no extra cost to building a website with accessibility in mind. Creating an accessible website does not force the end result to be ugly, boring, or more difficult to use. As designers and stakeholders, we need to adopt these design constraints and use them to create a beautiful product that is for everyone.

UI/UX Design is Only About The User

While it is true that the user should be your main focus for a design, it’s not the only focus. To create a great user experience, the company’s goals must be considered as well. Users may not know what they want from a website, but a business will have goals in mind. These goals help inform what they need their website to do to achieve them. By striking a balance between these two focal points, we can deliver an amazing user experience.

UI/UX Design is a One-Time Thing

When you think about design, you see it as solving a single problem. For example, designing a business card is a single task. Once the card has been designed and printed, the product is finished. UI/UX Design differs from this in that it is a process that iterates and evolves with the product. User preferences, behaviours, and technology change almost daily. A designer and a product should both evolve and adapt alongside each other to stay relevant.

Parting Thoughts

As UI/UX Designers and Product Owners, it is our job to read into these myths and find the truth. Understanding these truths helps inform our decisions in the design process. Dispelling some of these myths will help us all work together to create amazing products that users enjoy interacting with.