UX and UI design: layout, user journeys and the look of the site, tested before any code
Changing a page layout on a mock-up takes an hour. The same change on a finished site takes days and costs many times more. UX and UI design is the stage where we check that the site leads the customer where it should, and how it looks, before anyone writes a line of code.
What is the difference between UX and UI?
UX answers the question of whether the customer will find what they are looking for. UI answers whether they will like it and trust it.
UX design is the structure of the site, the page layout, the journeys the user takes and what they see at every step. It is created as mock-ups, on which we test the logic without being distracted by the look. UI design is the visual layer: typography, colours, elements, animations, consistency with the brand. It is created on the approved mock-ups. Separating these stages lets us make decisions one at a time and not revisit them during implementation.
How do we design?
- We research who and why. We talk to you and, where possible, to your customers. We check how they use the site today and where they get lost.
- We design the structure and mock-ups. A site map and mock-ups of the key pages that show the layout and journeys. This is where we make the most changes, because they are the cheapest.
- We test. We check the mock-ups with users or the team. We fix what does not work before it goes any further.
- We design the look. On the approved mock-ups we create the visual design in the brand's identity, ready for implementation.
What do you get?
- a site map and user journeys,
- mock-ups of the key pages tested with users,
- a visual design of all views, including mobile,
- a library of elements for consistent development of the site.
When is UX and UI design especially important?
- before building or rebuilding a website, a store or an application,
- when the current site has traffic but brings no enquiries or orders,
- when the site has grown for years and lost its consistency,
- when a digital product is to reach a new group of users.
Frequently asked questions
Is UX design needed for a small website?
For a few pages a simplified stage is enough: structure and mock-ups of the most important pages. Skipping it, even for a small site, usually ends in changes during implementation.
Can you design a site that another company will build?
Yes. We deliver the design with a library of elements and a specification that any contractor can use. We can also supervise the implementation.
How do you test the mock-ups?
Preferably with a few real users who perform tasks on the mock-ups. When that is not possible, we test with the client's team and using data from the current site.