What is UX and why does it matter?
In 1993 Don Norman coined the term “user experience” for his group at Apple Computer prior to creation of the Nielson Norman Group. The term continues to grow in popularity and methodology, however user experience has been around much longer than that.
Jakob Nielson wrote a very nice complimentary piece 100 Year History of UX worth a read.
As defined by the Interaction Design Foundation—User experience (UX) design is the process design teams use to create products that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users. UX design involves the design of the entire process of acquiring and integrating the product, including aspects of branding, design, usability and function.
User experience design is most successful when interacting with a carefully executed system, not a singular experience/touchpoint.
Why is UX Important?
“If you think good design is expensive, you should look at the cost of bad design.”
Dr Ralf Speth, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover
Products that provide a great user experience (e.g., the iPhone) are thus designed with the product’s consumption or use in mind and the entire process of acquiring, owning and even troubleshooting it. UX designers don’t just focus on creating usable products; they concentrate on other aspects of the user experience, such as pleasure, efficiency and fun. Consequently, there is no single definition of a good user experience. Instead, a good user experience meets a particular user’s needs in the specific context where they use the product.
“User experience is important because it tries to fulfill the user’s needs. It aims to provide positive experiences that keep a user loyal to the product or brand. Additionally, a meaningful user experience allows you to define customer journeys on your product that are most conducive to business success.”
UX Planet, The Importance of User Experience Design
Related User Experience (UX) Resources:
Various terms are used in user experience design—UX (User Experience), CX (Customer Experience), and UI (User Interface). UX, UI, CX are interconnected and work together as a system to create exceptional digital experiences. Understanding their distinct roles is crucial for designing products that captivate users, build brand loyalty, and leave a lasting impact.
“Pay attention to what users do, not what they say.”
Jakob Nielson, Co-founder of Nielsen Norman Group
