User Experience
UX Designer
Plain English
Designs how things work for users.
Definition
A UX designer is responsible for how a product works for the people using it, covering serviceUser ResearchUnderstand user behaviour, validate ideas, and make clearer product decisions with evidence you can act on.Open service, structure, flows, and glossaryInteractionInteraction refers to any action a user takes within a product and how the system responds. It includes clicks, taps, gestures, and inputs that drive the user experience.Open glossary term glossaryBehaviourBehaviour refers to how users interact with a system, including actions, patterns, and responses.Open glossary term. The role sits closer to the problem being solved than to the visual surface.
In practice
Works on journeys, flows, glossaryInteraction DesignInteraction design is the practice of designing how users interact with a product, focusing on behaviour, flow, and responsiveness. It ensures interactions are intuitive, efficient, and meaningful.Open glossary term, and glossaryUsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term improvements.
In context
The role gets scoped to screens and is most useful earlier, where the question is still whether the glossaryFeatureA feature is a specific piece of functionality within a product that delivers value to users. It represents something users can do or experience as part of the overall product.Open glossary term should exist in the shape proposed.
The reality
The role is often misunderstood or diluted across organisations.
Compared with
UX Designer vs Product Designer
UX designer emphasises serviceUser ResearchUnderstand user behaviour, validate ideas, and make clearer product decisions with evidence you can act on.Open service, structure and glossaryInteractionInteraction refers to any action a user takes within a product and how the system responds. It includes clicks, taps, gestures, and inputs that drive the user experience.Open glossary term. glossaryProduct DesignerA product designer combines UX, UI, and product thinking to design end-to-end product experiences.Open glossary term usually implies the same plus visual design and commercial judgement about what to build. The titles vary enormously by organisation, so the job description matters more than the label.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What does a UX designer do?
They design how users interact with a product.
What skills are needed?
serviceUser ResearchUnderstand user behaviour, validate ideas, and make clearer product decisions with evidence you can act on.Open service, glossaryInteraction DesignInteraction design is the practice of designing how users interact with a product, focusing on behaviour, flow, and responsiveness. It ensures interactions are intuitive, efficient, and meaningful.Open glossary term, and problem solving.
How is UX different from UI?
UX focuses on experience, UI on visuals.
Why is UX important?
It improves glossaryUsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term and outcomes.
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