TECH BASICS
UX/UI
How a product feels to use (UX) and how it looks (UI).
The simple version
UX (user experience) is about how easy and pleasant something is to use — does it make sense, does it feel smooth. UI (user interface) is about how it looks — colors, buttons, layout, spacing. A product can look great (good UI) but still be confusing to use (bad UX), or vice versa.
For example
A checkout flow with three confusing steps and a tiny "buy" button hidden at the bottom is bad UX. A checkout flow that clearly shows your total, has one obvious button, and confirms your order right away is good UX — even with simple visual design.
Go deeper
UX work often starts before any visuals exist — researching what users actually need, sketching flows, and testing with real people. UI work is closer to visual design — choosing exactly how those flows look on screen. Many designers do both, but larger companies sometimes split the roles.
Why it matters
Good UX/UI isn't just "looking nice" — it directly affects whether people can actually use a product, which affects sales, retention, and trust. It's one of the clearest ways design connects to business results.