UX vs UI design: what's the difference (and why it matters to you)

When it comes to digital design, two acronyms appear everywhere: UX and UI. They are often used interchangeably, sometimes confused, and almost always raise questions: ‘What’s the difference? Which one matters more? Should I focus on one or the other?’

If you’ve asked yourself these questions, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll guide you step by step through the differences between UX and UI, using simple, concrete examples, and give you practical advice that you can apply immediately to your projects, even if you’re just starting out.

User Experience (UX) concerns every aspect of the experience a user has when interacting with a product or service. It is not limited to the digital world: it is an approach that encompasses the entire user journey.

The work of a UX designer starts with listening to and analysing people’s real needs. Problems are defined, flows are designed, wireframes and prototypes are created. All of this is then tested, corrected and improved. The goal is simple to state but complex to achieve: to offer a useful, intuitive and enjoyable experience that makes the user feel understood and at ease.

The User Interface (UI), on the other hand, focuses on the visual and interactive aspects. It is the set of buttons, menus, colours, typography, animations and layouts: in other words, everything you see and interact with on the screen.

The UI designer’s task is to transform the prototypes defined by the UX into aesthetically pleasing and consistent interfaces. It is not just about aesthetics: colours and shapes guide behaviour, create consistency and make the experience smooth. For this reason, UI designers often work with style guides and design systems to ensure uniformity.

The UX designer is the architect: they establish the structure, decide how the spaces will be organised and how people will move around inside.
The UI designer is the interior designer: they take care of the colours, furnishings, lighting and atmosphere that will make the environment welcoming.

Only by working together can they create a complete experience: functional and enjoyable at the same time.

#1 Always start with the UX: begin by understanding the user’s needs, do research, observe behaviour, create clear flows. Only then move on to aesthetics.
#2 Think about the user’s journey: each step must be logical and simple. Anticipate possible doubts or obstacles and design to eliminate them.
#3 Use the UI functionally: colours, typography, spacing and animations should not only be beautiful, but also help the user navigate.
#4 Maintain consistency: work with reusable components, guidelines and a design system. This reduces errors and builds trust.
#5 Test with real users: prototypes are used to receive concrete feedback. Often what works on paper is not so clear in reality.
#6 Collaborate with all teams: explain your choices. UX tells the “why”, UI tells the “how”. A good product is born from dialogue.
#7 Never stop: design is not a process that ends with launch. Analyse data, observe users, fix what doesn’t work and repeat the cycle.

UX is the heart: strategic, human, problem-oriented. UI is the skin: visual, interactive, capable of shaping and enhancing the experience. Only by combining both can you create truly effective products.
Remember: designing is not just about “drawing interfaces”. It means understanding people, solving problems and then making everything clear, beautiful and consistent.