Like “brunch” or “Brangelina”, user-experience (UX) and user-interface (UI) design have melded into a single term; “UI/UX”. In a mostly non-scientific study, I asked a handful of people across different industries, “What does a UI/UX designer do?” Most people described a graphic artist, some talked about a front-end developer, and almost everyone associated the role specifically with the technology field.
Recently, we had the opportunity to present on the topic of UI/UX at Ascender (a Pittsburgh start-up accelerator) and AcademyPGH (a unique Pittsburgh-based coding bootcamp). The topic was, First Impressions, the Difference Between UI, UX, and How the Two Work Together to for Great Design. Using interactive exercises, we experienced how some products that offer tremendous value completely fail at communicating purpose, function, and direction to users. We went through an experiential exercise that demonstrated how first impressions, based entirely on appearance, can override any value a product has, and can ultimately sink it.
We wrapped up by walking through fivestar*s UI/UX Design Scorecard, which is our benchmark for quality and efficacy within the applications we build across a wide range of user interface and user experience design categories. This scorecard is the common framework against which we can evaluate our work to ensure our software is usable, engaging, delightful, and accessible.
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The ultimate message of these presentations is how human-experience and interaction should be considered at all levels of making a product or application – including design, development, and quality assurance (QA).
If you have a group interested in learning about human-centered design, UI/UX, minimum viable product (MVP) design, marketing, agile, or other product-related topics, please let us know. We would be happy to hear from you!
AcademyPGH is a Bootcamp for web development serving under-represented groups in technology. AcademyPGH cohorts are 12 weeks long and take members from zero programming knowledge to ready for entry-level developer jobs.
Ascender is a hub for Pittsburgh's starters and builders, providing programming, insight, and connectivity. The host of the Thrival Innovation + Music Festival, Ascender creates an organic, self-sustaining cycle of economic growth that will invigorate the entrepreneurial core of students and professionals, generate new businesses and jobs in the Pittsburgh region, while ultimately attracting new investors in order to foster a cycle of innovation that will drive Pittsburgh in the generations to come.
About the Author: Alex Gindin
Alex Gindin is the VP of Operations at fivestar* and brings more than a decade of experience in launching technologies and adaptive strategies that enable business growth. He works closely with his teams to create solutions to business challenges using human-centered design, iterative development, and a strong focus on user-engagement. Alex holds an MBA and a Masters in Information Systems from the University of Pittsburgh.