Have you ever heard of user experience? Maybe from a UX designer? They are two concepts that you should be very clear about because they are on the rise and it is possible that in the not too distant future they were a specialty that is in high demand.
But What is user experience? What is a UX designer? If you do not know what we are talking about, then we are going to tell you everything you need to know.
What is UX design and what does it have to do with user experience
First of all, we are going to start with what UX design is, since if you do not understand this concept, the others can be more complicated to understand. UX design, also known as user experience design, is none other than a series of processes that are carried out with the aim of creating products that satisfy users, while providing an appropriate experience, and based on the knowledge they have.
In other words, it is the process that the products that are created follow so that they solve the needs of the users. For example, think of a mop. In his day, when it was created, the person who invented it, Manuel Jalón, we suppose that he thought of those women who had to get on his knees and twist a cloth to be able to scrub the floors, and he wanted to help make that task much more bearable . That is to say, they looked for a product that would solve a need of an audience and, in addition, make everything easier for them.
Do you understand now what UX design is?
With more current examples we have smart speakers, mobile phones, etc. They are products that are designed based on the users and the use that they are going to give them. In the case of mobiles, at first the screen was small because it was only used to call, but now calling is what is done the least, the screens are larger to improve navigation and also to be able to send messages.
What is a UX designer
Since we know what UX design is, the next thing you need to understand is what a UX designer is and why it is related to user experience. And in this case we are talking about the person responsible for seek the solution to a problem based on the needs of the target audience. That is, it will make the product useful enough for that person to respond to their needs.
Again, we give you an example: Imagine that you have a mobile phone case. You have placed a part for cards, a case to fit the mobile ... So far so good. But what if the case turns out to open from left to right and not right to left? In this case, if your target audience is left-handed people, you will have improved their usability, but what if they are not? For right-handers this cover could not be comfortable, and, therefore, they will end up not using it.
The UX designer is dedicated to that, to design the user experience in the best possible way to make sure that he is satisfied with the product or service (and that he will repeat in case he needs it).
UX designer skills
To be a professional in UX design, or user experience, it is necessary to have certain skills that not all people have. But if you really want to be, you will need:
- Empathy. You have to put yourself in other people's shoes to find out what they might need and provide them with a product that truly meets those needs.
- Comment. Sometimes, it is not enough to put yourself in the place of the other, but you also have to observe, see what bothers him or what details he is giving you with his way of acting that he does not tell you verbally. Because those things may be the ones that make your product better suited to that user.
- Communication. It is very important, because you need to establish a good relationship with the users, but also with the whole team. On the one hand, you must know how to express everything you want that product to have because, before, you have heard that user tell you about the problems they have when using something.
Being a UX designer is not easy, nor is it easy to work on the user experience. However, it is a work that is increasingly popular and that helps others to find products that are increasingly adapted to what they need.
You should also know that, within the user experience designer there are different specializations. Not all are dedicated to all phases of the process, but specialize in a specific one. For instance:
- UX Writer. It is the one that is dedicated to defining how one is going to communicate with the user. To do this, he studies their language and adapts the product so that it connects with the customer.
- User experience researcher. Better known as UX Researcher, he is the person who will analyze users to find out what their needs are.
- Service Design. It is one that seeks to improve products or services so that they are updated and are increasingly useful and effective.
What is user experience
Now that you've seen all of the above, you already know that UX is User Experience. And you may even be able to get an idea of what we are referring to. And it is that the user experience is a work that seeks to improve a product or service for the benefit of the user. That is, it is sought that this product or service responds to the needs of a customer so that he wants to use or consume it (and repeat).
This concept is increasingly important, and can be applied in many sectors, both in eCommerce and in graphic design. For example, imagine that you have to design a bicycle. Obviously, the design will be the same on all bicycles, but you have to know where to put all the elements so that any cyclist feels comfortable using it. That means knowing where the pedals, the handlebars, the saddle, even the holder for a water bottle will go best.
Is the user experience and the work of a UX designer clearer to you now?