UX design, short for user experience design, is the process by which a company designs every aspect of the customer’s journey—including hearing about the company, buying the product, and using the product. These experiences can include [branding](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-build-a-memorable-brand), website and product usability, information architecture, interactive elements, and product function. UX design is associated primarily with digital experiences (like websites and mobile apps) but can also apply to physical product design and [product development](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/product-development-process). 

The term “UX design” is often used interchangeably with “UI design” (short for user interface design) though they serve different purposes. UI design is a subset of UX design that focuses primarily on aesthetics and visual design of the customer’s experience.
Here are some of a UX designer’s core responsibilities:

- __Mocks up and executes designs__. A UX designer’s primary duty is creating and delivering on designs for many user experiences—including branding, websites, email designs, online shopping portals, digital software, online courses, information architecture (or the hierarchy of information presented to customers), and physical products. UX designers will first do [prototyping](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakelys-prototyping-tips) for their design projects (for digital products, this is called “[wireframing](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wireframing-guide)”) and receive feedback on their prototypes or wireframes before completing the design. The UX design process often requires creative [problem-solving](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-problem-solving-skills) to address complex challenges in the user journey. 
- __Conducts user testing__. To ensure that users are getting the best experience possible, a UX designer performs a significant amount of user research and monitors customers’ experiences with their product or service, from end-users to those who never complete purchases. After gathering this data, a UX designer suggests tweaks to improve the process or product. 
- __Analyzes competitors__. UX designers often draw inspiration from competitors’ products and presences during the design process, noting which elements contribute to positive UX and which elements may detract from their UX research.
- __Coordinates with UI designers__. A UX designer usually works on a large team of professionals dedicated to every element of the user experience, including coders, designers, animators, and [copywriters](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-copywriter).
Whether designing a mobile app or a new kitchen knife, most UX designers usually share a few main goals for their projects:

- __Accessibility__. Ease of use is the number-one concern of most UX design—designers ensure that every moment of the user journey offers the most straightforward experience. UX designers usually conduct significant usability testing to ensure that their design work is simple to interact with.
- __Functionality__. UX designers help design products (whether physical products or digital products) to serve users’ needs, conducting user research to determine what features real-world customers care about most, and identify particular pain points. 
- __Cohesiveness__. UX design encompasses a wide and disparate range of interfaces, from websites to social media presence to product packaging, with the primary goal of ensuring every interaction a customer has with the company aligns with the company’s goals.
- __Aesthetic__. UX design helps govern branding and tone across every online page, physical store, or product, working with UI designers to create an attractive look and feel for the company.
UX design is often used interchangeably with UI design (short for user interface design), but they are slightly different fields. UX design governs the big picture—every moment of the customer’s interaction with the company and products—and incorporates a broad skill set, including coding, product management, and design. 

On the other hand, UI design is a small subset of UX design that focuses on the aesthetics and [graphic design](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design) of the customer’s experience—like branding, typeface choices, and website visuals—and primarily requires design skills.
Get a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com) and let David Carson be your personal tutor. The prolific and decorated designer—who’s been lauded as the “<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director","linkCopy":"art director","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>art director</a> of the era”—reveals his processes for going off the (design) grid, implementing typography in new and interesting ways, innovative uses of photography and collage, and so much more.
Part product designer, part product manager, a UX designer is responsible for every interaction that a user has with their company.

Part product designer, part product manager, a UX designer is responsible for every interaction that a user has with their company.

UX Design Guide: Inside a User Experience Designer’s Role 

UX design, short for user experience design, is the process by which a company designs every aspect of the customer’s journey—including hearing about the company, buying the product, and using the product. These experiences can include <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-build-a-memorable-brand' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-build-a-memorable-brand","linkCopy":"branding","category":null}'>branding</a>, website and product usability, information architecture, interactive elements, and product function. UX design is associated primarily with digital experiences (like websites and mobile apps) but can also apply to physical product design and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/product-development-process' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/product-development-process","linkCopy":"product development","category":null}'>product development</a>. The term “UX design” is often used interchangeably with “UI design” (short for user interface design) though they serve different purposes. UI design is a subset of UX design that focuses primarily on aesthetics and visual design of the customer’s experience.

What Is UX Design?

Here are some of a UX designer’s core responsibilities:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Mocks up and executes designs. A UX designer’s primary duty is creating and delivering on designs for many user experiences—including branding, websites, email designs, online shopping portals, digital software, online courses, information architecture (or the hierarchy of information presented to customers), and physical products. UX designers will first do <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakelys-prototyping-tips' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakelys-prototyping-tips","linkCopy":"prototyping","category":null}'>prototyping</a> for their design projects (for digital products, this is called “<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wireframing-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/wireframing-guide","linkCopy":"wireframing","category":null}'>wireframing</a>”) and receive feedback on their prototypes or wireframes before completing the design. The UX design process often requires creative <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-problem-solving-skills' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-problem-solving-skills","linkCopy":"problem-solving","category":null}'>problem-solving</a> to address complex challenges in the user journey. </li><li class="">Conducts user testing. To ensure that users are getting the best experience possible, a UX designer performs a significant amount of user research and monitors customers’ experiences with their product or service, from end-users to those who never complete purchases. After gathering this data, a UX designer suggests tweaks to improve the process or product. </li><li class="">Analyzes competitors. UX designers often draw inspiration from competitors’ products and presences during the design process, noting which elements contribute to positive UX and which elements may detract from their UX research. </li><li class="">Coordinates with UI designers. A UX designer usually works on a large team of professionals dedicated to every element of the user experience, including coders, designers, animators, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-copywriter' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-copywriter","linkCopy":"copywriters","category":null}'>copywriters</a>. </li></ul>

What Is the Role of a UX Designer?

Whether designing a mobile app or a new kitchen knife, most UX designers usually share a few main goals for their projects:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Accessibility. Ease of use is the number-one concern of most UX design—designers ensure that every moment of the user journey offers the most straightforward experience. UX designers usually conduct significant usability testing to ensure that their design work is simple to interact with. </li><li class="">Functionality. UX designers help design products (whether physical products or digital products) to serve users’ needs, conducting user research to determine what features real-world customers care about most, and identify particular pain points. </li><li class="">Cohesiveness. UX design encompasses a wide and disparate range of interfaces, from websites to social media presence to product packaging, with the primary goal of ensuring every interaction a customer has with the company aligns with the company’s goals. </li><li class="">Aesthetic. UX design helps govern branding and tone across every online page, physical store, or product, working with UI designers to create an attractive look and feel for the company. </li></ul>

What Makes a Great User Experience?

UX design is often used interchangeably with UI design (short for user interface design), but they are slightly different fields. UX design governs the big picture—every moment of the customer’s interaction with the company and products—and incorporates a broad skill set, including coding, product management, and design. On the other hand, UI design is a small subset of UX design that focuses on the aesthetics and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-graphic-design","linkCopy":"graphic design","category":null}'>graphic design</a> of the customer’s experience—like branding, typeface choices, and website visuals—and primarily requires design skills.

What Is the Difference Between UX Design and UI Design?

Get a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and let David Carson be your personal tutor. The prolific and decorated designer—who’s been lauded as the “<a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/film-101-how-to-become-an-art-director","linkCopy":"art director","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>art director</a> of the era”—reveals his processes for going off the (design) grid, implementing typography in new and interesting ways, innovative uses of photography and collage, and so much more.

Want to Learn More About Tapping Into Your Graphic Design Genius?

Part product designer, part product manager, a UX designer is responsible for every interaction that a user has with their company.

Part product designer, part product manager, a UX designer is responsible for every interaction that a user has with their company.
