Ah, the misunderstood world of UX design. As a Data Artist, I've heard it all - from "So, you design websites?" to "Oh, you're the one who makes things look sexy!" While those comments might make us chuckle, they reveal a widespread misunderstanding of what it means to be a UX designer.
Yes, we do design digital products, but we're not just here to make them aesthetically pleasing. We're the ones who ensure that the user's experience is as smooth as butter, and that they can achieve their goals without tearing their hair out. We're the detectives who investigate why users are abandoning a website or why they're not clicking that "buy" button.
So, let's dive into some of the biggest misconceptions about UX design and set the record straight - with a touch of humor, of course
As a UX designer, I often hear common misconceptions about what I do and what my job entails.
MOST COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
YOU ARE HERE TO MAKE THINGS LOOK PRETTY
If you think that's all UX designers do, then you're in for a rude awakening. We're not just decorators or magicians, we're problem solvers. We use research, data, and good old-fashioned brain power to create designs that work. While visual design is an important part of UX design, it's not the only aspect. UX design is about creating an enjoyable and intuitive user experience, which goes beyond just the visual appearance of a product.
YOU ARE JUST GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
While there is some overlap between the two roles, they are not the same. UX designers & Data Artists focus on the overall user experience, while UI designers focus on the visual design of a product. In the coming weeks, I will write a post regarding the difference between UX & UI. Of course, they have some work in common but most of the time we are talking about two separate roles in companies.
DESIGN IS EASY
Easy, somehow yes to draw just anything to please our customers, but we are not here just to please clients, we are here to get the job done and to solve problems. In this area UX design requires a combination of creativity, problem-solving skills, and technical knowledge (design principles, color psychology, gestalt principles, UX laws and more…. It's a complex and constantly evolving field that requires ongoing learning and development. because even most of the principles have been established some years ago.. you need to always spend some time in order to stay up-to-date.
YOU ARE A SOLO PLAYER
Most people thinks that a Data Artist is a lonely job and it is definitely not a solo player. UX design is a collaborative process that involves working with a team of developers, and stakeholders. In my current mission, I need to spend some time with the project manager, the main stakeholders, the business users and as well the designer that will create my wireframes in a BI tool. So, i can tell you that a Data Artist must be able to communicate their ideas and work effectively with others to create a successful product, definitely not a solo player.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, UX design is a complex and multifaceted field that goes beyond just making things look pretty. It requires a combination of creativity, technical skills, and collaboration to create a successful user experience. So, i can tell you that UX design is a challenging and rewarding field, and there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. So if you're ever in doubt about what we do, just remember: we're problem solvers, not mind readers, and definitely not magicians. Enjoy your week !
JP
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