User Interface vs. User Experience

Two terms that are often confused - but describe different aspects of interaction with digital products.

Definitions

User Interface (UI) refers to the visible and operable elements of a digital application: layout, colors, buttons, typography.
User Experience (UX) describes the entire experience - from the first perception to the use to the after-effect.

Comparison: UI and UX at a Glance

User Interface (UI)

The UI is what users see and use. It includes all visual and interactive components of an application.

Design & visual level
Layout, color scheme, icons, buttons
Responsive design, accessibility
Sub-area of the UX design
Example: A structured navigation bar with clear icons

User Experience (UX)

UX describes how a product is experienced overall - emotionally, functionally and aesthetically. It encompasses expectations, usage situations and after-effects.

Holistic: before, during and after use
Emotional & cognitive dimensions
Focus on user needs & context of use
Includes usability & UI
Example: The feeling of control and trust in online banking

User interface vs. user experience — Comparison of user interface and user experience

Practical Example

A banking portal with a modern UI - clear colors, large buttons, intuitive icons - can look technically flawless.
But if users feel insecure, receive no feedback on actions or loading times cause frustration, the UX suffers.
Conversely, a site with a simple UI can offer an excellent UX - if it is reliable, fast and trustworthy.

Take Home Message

**UI is what users see. UX is what they feel **.

Deepening & Application

UX and UI can be specifically designed and improved - with the help of methods and standards:

Heuristic evaluation: Identify UI weaknesses using proven usability principles.
Personas & scenarios: Develop realistic usage contexts to derive UX requirements.
Journey Mapping: Visualize emotional and functional contact points with the system.
ISO 9241-110: Use the dialog principles to design user-friendly interfaces.
Accessibility check: Ensure that UI components are usable for everyone - a prerequisite for good UX.

Last modified: 17 June 2025