In the world of design, two disciplines play a crucial role in creating user-friendly and visually appealing products: UI UX design and product design.

While these two fields may seem similar at first glance, they have distinct differences in terms of their focus, methodologies, and skill sets.

In this article, we will delve into the key differences between UI UX vs product design, shedding light on their unique characteristics and contributions to the design process.

Getting into it…

UI UX design and product design are both integral parts of the design process, but they have distinct areas of focus and responsibilities.

UI UX designers primarily concentrate on creating seamless user experiences, while product designers are concerned with developing tangible products that meet consumer needs.

Understanding the differences between these two disciplines is essential for businesses looking to optimize their design strategies and create successful products.

What is UI UX Design?

UI UX design, short for user interface and user experience design, revolves around creating digital products that provide meaningful and intuitive user experiences.

UI UX designers aim to enhance the usability, accessibility, and overall satisfaction of users when interacting with websites, applications, or other digital interfaces.

Know More About What is UI/UX? Top Things to Know in 2024

The Role of UI UX Designers

UI UX designers play a vital role in the design process by ensuring that products are user-friendly and visually appealing.

They are responsible for understanding user needs, conducting user research, creating wireframes, designing user interfaces, and conducting usability testing.

UI UX designers collaborate closely with other members of the design and development teams to create cohesive and engaging user experiences.

Also Explore UI/UX Designer Job Description and Roles & Responsibilities

The Elements of UI UX Design

UI UX design encompasses several key elements that contribute to the overall user experience. These elements include the surface, skeleton, structure, scope, and strategy of the product.

The surface refers to the visual elements of the interface, such as images, buttons, and text. The skeleton represents the underlying structure of the product’s interfaces, while the structure defines how the features and functions of the product fit together.

The scope focuses on anticipating user needs and designing the product accordingly, while the strategy aligns the product’s functionalities with the company’s strategic vision.

Read | Top 12 Key UI/UX Design Principles

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What is Product Design?

Product design involves creating physical or digital products that solve consumer problems and fulfill user needs. Product designers consider various factors, such as functionality, aesthetics, and cost, to develop products that are both appealing and practical.

The Role of Product Designers

Product designers are responsible for the entire design process, from conceptualization to production. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to define product requirements, create prototypes, conduct market research, and ensure that the final product meets user expectations.

Product designers must have a deep understanding of engineering, manufacturing, and user-centered design principles to create successful products.

The Elements of Product Design

Product design incorporates three essential elements: function, style, and cost.

• Function refers to how users will interact with the product and the features that will help them achieve their goals.
• Style focuses on creating aesthetically pleasing designs, incorporating elements such as color schemes and graphics.
• Cost considers the overall production cost of the product and its competitiveness in the market.

Know More About 8 Best UI/UX Prototyping Tools

Now, let’s discuss the UI UX vs Product Design comparison.

UI UX vs Product Design: All The Important Comparisons

1. Job Requirements and Responsibilities

UI/UX:

• UI UX designers and product designers have distinct job requirements and responsibilities that reflect the nature of their respective disciplines.
• UI UX designers often need a strong understanding of user experience design principles, proficiency in design and prototyping tools, and experience in user research and competitor analysis.
• They must be skilled in creating user stories, personas, and storyboards, interpreting data and feedback, and understanding interaction design principles.

Read: UI/UX Designer Job Description: Know-It-All

Product Design:

• Product designers typically require a relevant undergraduate degree or formal qualification, along with professional experience in UX/UI design.
• They should possess proficiency in design and prototyping tools, as well as expertise in design thinking and contributing to a design system.
• Strong wireframing/prototyping skills, collaboration and communication abilities, and experience working on complex applications are also essential.

2. Focus of Work

UI/UX:

• The focus of work differs between UI UX design and product design, reflecting their distinct priorities and objectives.
• UI UX designers primarily concentrate on creating user-friendly and intuitive interfaces, ensuring that users can navigate products easily and efficiently.
• They aim to optimize the user experience and enhance usability, focusing on factors such as information architecture, interaction design, and visual design.

Product Design:

• Product designers, on the other hand, have a broader focus that encompasses both the functionality and aesthetics of the product.
• They work on creating tangible solutions to consumer problems, incorporating elements of engineering, manufacturing, and user-centered design.
• Product designers must consider the overall user experience while also paying attention to factors such as cost, marketability, and brand alignment.

3. Working Methodology

UI/UX:

• UI UX designers and product designers employ different methodologies and approaches in their work.
• UI UX designers follow a user-centered design process, which involves conducting user research, creating user personas, and developing wireframes and prototypes.
• They iteratively test and refine their designs based on user feedback, ensuring that the final product meets user needs and expectations.

Product Design:

• Product designers adopt a holistic approach, considering the entire product lifecycle from ideation to production.
• They collaborate with cross-functional teams, conduct market research, and create prototypes to validate their design concepts.
• Product designers also work closely with engineers, manufacturers, and marketing teams to ensure the successful launch and integration of the product.

4. Skill Set Needed

UI/UX:

• UI UX designers and product designers require different skill sets to excel in their respective roles.
• UI UX designers need strong design skills, including proficiency in industry-standard design and prototyping tools.
• They must have a deep understanding of the UX design process, including user research, information architecture, interaction design, and visual design principles.
• Additionally, they should possess skills in interpreting data and qualitative feedback, creating user stories and personas, and developing wireframes and prototypes.

Know More | 10 Skills Required to Become a UI/UX Designer

Product Design:

• Product designers need a diverse range of skills, including UX/UI design, technical knowledge in engineering or manufacturing, and proficiency in design and prototyping tools.
• They must be adept at applying design thinking methodologies, contributing to a design system, and creating functional designs across various devices.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills are also crucial for product designers.

5. Tools Used

UI/UX:

• Both UI UX designers and product designers utilize various tools and software to support their design processes.
• UI UX designers commonly use graphic design software, prototyping tools (such as Figma), and web applications.
• These tools enable them to create visually appealing designs, interactive prototypes, and testable user interfaces.

Also Read: Top 11 UI/UX Design Tools for 2024

Product Design:

• Product designers rely on 3D modeling software, computer-aided design (CAD) tools, and industrial design software to bring their product concepts to life.
• CAD software allows them to create detailed digital models of products, ready for manufacturing and production.

6. Qualifications and Training

UI/UX:

• UI UX designers and product designers often pursue different educational paths and training to acquire the necessary skills for their roles.
• UI UX designers typically complete digital web design programs or attend UX design-related courses to gain a comprehensive understanding of user experience design.

Product Design:

• Product designers may have backgrounds in industrial design, mechanical engineering, or software development.
• They usually hold a relevant undergraduate degree and have technical training in engineering, manufacturing, or product development.
• Practical experience in the design field is also highly valued. GUVI’s Autodesk Certified CAD Automotive and Product Design Course would be the perfect learning resource for you as it is taught by top industry experts and you will be certified by Autodesk!

Also Read: 12 Unique UI/UX Project Ideas to Boost Your Portfolio

7. Expected Salary

UI/UX:

• The salary expectations for UI UX designers and product designers can vary based on factors such as experience, location, and industry.
• UI UX designers often earn an average salary of around 7 LPA. However, salaries can range from 3 LPA to 14 LPA, depending on factors such as experience level, location, and the company’s size and industry.

Product Design:

• Product designers, on the other hand, typically earn an average salary of approximately $80,000 per year.
• However, salaries can range from 2.5 LPA to 25 LPA, depending on factors such as experience, industry, and the complexity of the products they work on.

8. Trends in UI UX Design and Product Design

UI/UX:

• UI UX design and product design are dynamic fields that continuously evolve in response to emerging technologies and user expectations.
• In the realm of UI UX design, rapid and realistic prototyping has become a significant trend.
• Designers are increasingly using tools and techniques that allow for quick iterations and testing of design concepts, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Find Out Top UI/UX Design Trends: Embracing Innovation in 2024

Product Design:

• In product design, there is a growing shift towards digital products, such as websites and applications.
• As technology continues to advance, product designers are focusing on creating intuitive and user-friendly digital experiences that meet consumer needs.

Kickstart your UI/UX journey by enrolling in GUVI’s UI/UX Career Program where you will master technologies like AdobeXd, Illustrator, and Figma, and build interesting real-life UI/UX projects.

Alternatively, if you would like to explore Figma through a Self Paced course, try  GUVI’s Figma’s Self Paced certification course.

Concluding Thoughts…

While UI UX designers concentrate on creating user-friendly digital experiences, product designers develop tangible products that solve consumer problems. By understanding the key differences between these disciplines, businesses can optimize their design strategies and create successful products that resonate with users.

In conclusion, UI UX design and product design have distinct roles, methodologies, and skill sets, but both play vital roles in creating exceptional user experiences and innovative products. So based on what we discussed above, make an informed choice to build a successful career. Best of luck!

Also Explore Graphic Designer vs. UI/UX Designer: Key Differences You Should Know

FAQs

What is the difference between UI UX and product design?

UI design focuses on the look and feel of a product, while UX design centers on the overall user journey and satisfaction. Product design encompasses both, integrating functionality and aesthetics.

What is the difference between UX and UI?

UX is the holistic experience users have with a product, including navigation and usability, whereas UI refers to the visual elements and design components. Both are crucial for a seamless user experience.

What is product design?

Product design involves creating and optimizing products, considering functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. It combines elements of UI and UX design to deliver a comprehensive solution.

Does UI UX require coding?

No, UI UX design does not necessarily require coding. While some designers may have coding skills, it’s not a mandatory aspect of UI UX work. Designers often collaborate with developers to bring their designs to life.