A UI, or a user interface, encompasses all of the visual elements that allow human users to interact with computer systems. User interface design organizes components such as webpages, icons, and buttons to provide maximum usability and an intuitive user experience (UX). Together, UI and UX are important for creation of software applications and websites, as today’s savvy users expect their online experiences to be attractive as well as easy to navigate.
UI design thus requires a combination of different skills. User research is critical to understanding how users interact with different interface elements, and UI and UX teams typically use multiple surveys, focus groups, and other research methods as part of the product development cycle. The “design” aspect of user interface design is also critical, and UI teams need professionals with an understanding of design theory and a sharp eye for graphic design to ensure that interfaces are eye-catching in a way that contributes to the product’s functionality instead of distracting from it. UI designers seek to make these layouts and interactive elements intuitive, accessible, and inclusive.