In today’s job market, being flexible and multi-skilled puts you in high demand. One area in which versatile individuals can really succeed and thrive is UX (user experience) design. UX designers focus on more than just one aspect of a website, app or piece of software, such as graphic design, copywriting or information architecture. UX designers focus on the whole interaction between a user and a product from start to finish, including the user’s feelings when interacting with the product. This versatility and emphasis on the bigger picture of a person’s experience mean opportunities and often high salaries for skilled UX designers.
Of course, visual design is an important factor in the overall user experience and plays a big part in influencing users’ emotions. The aesthetic usability effect demonstrates that people tend to perceive more aesthetically pleasing designs as more user-friendly, regardless of any design flaws that are actually present.
You may ask, “how much of a role does graphic design play in UX design? Do you need to be a skilled graphic designer to succeed in a UX design career? And how can I transition from graphic design (or even a completely unrelated field) into a career in UX?”
This blog explores the differences between graphic design and UX and how one strengthens the other. It also touches on differences such as UX vs. graphic design software, what skills are necessary to succeed in both roles, and how Anchor Digital can take your graphic design and UX to the next level.
What is Graphic Design in Marketing?
First impressions count, and you don’t get a second chance to make a great one. Graphic design is the visual elements of a product, whether it’s a website, app, online course, packaging, mural, billboard, brochure or magazine. Graphic designers often work across a range of digital and print media, choosing the right fonts, colours, images and other visual elements to carry the intended meaning acrossGraphic designers typically have a range of tasks, from working alongside clients and art directors to putting photo editing and digital tools to use.
They typically brainstorm and conceive design concepts and prepare sketches and layouts to discuss with clients, management and others in the marketing team. Commonly used graphic design software include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, Lunacy, Mega Creator, Procreate, Pixlr and several others, with no doubt many more to come in the future.
What is UX in Marketing?
User experience (UX) is a multidisciplinary approach that considers a customer or client’s entire interaction with a product or piece of software. A good UX designer puts themselves in the customer’s shoes to determine what they want and even what emotions they’ll cycle through when using it. This starts with research and data analysis to determine the target market and competitors.UX designers then construct a prototype, wireframe or site map and conduct testing to determine its success.
Day-to-day tasks for a UX designer can include meetings with developers and clients, testing products and analysing user data, and making use of the ever-expanding range of software on the market to craft compelling user experience designs. Commonly used UX software include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Figma, InVision Studio, Balsamiq, Sketch, Axure, Craft, Proto.io, Marvel, Framer X, Webflow and multiple others. As UX continues to grow, there will no doubt be more on the scene.
How Graphic Design Makes a Difference to UX
Graphic design and UX have many similarities and also some crucial differences. Both require strong communication and analytic skills as well as concepts like SEO and coding plus systems and software. Yet while the focus of graphic design is on the visual aspect, UX design is focused on the entirety of the user experience and generally requires more diverse technical knowledge. Yet the right kind of graphic design improves UX in several different ways, including
Emotion
UX designers who come from a more technical background might pay close attention to the functionality of the product but forget that feelings are just as important for driving consumer behaviour. Graphic designers know how to invoke emotion in people as part of their craft, whether choosing the right colour, picking a compelling graphic or selecting a specific font to help give the message a certain tone. Graphic designers need to have a knack for both functionality and aesthetics, and it’s that knack they can bring to the table to bring a little more colour and life into the finished product.
Collaboration
Two heads are better than one, and both graphic designers and UX designers need to be creative thinkers. With their powers combined, graphic and UX designers can create superior wireframes and prototypes that really showcase the look and feel of the work-in-progress, accurately capturing the visual components of the final result as well as the information and functionality.
Visual accuracy
Graphic design is a career that requires precision. Skilled graphic designers know the subtle differences between different shades of colours and how they impact the emotions of web users, the exact size font should be, and the perfect place for an image to go for the best possible impact. Having someone with this level of precision and an eagle eye for detail look at your plans and prototypes will ensure your hard work is less likely to be derailed by a minor visual misstep.
Technical knowledge
There’s a lot to good UX design, and graphic designers have in-depth knowledge that can help a great deal with certain aspects of it. Factors like typography, layouts and other things come with the territory when you gain experience in visual design.
Graphic designers can also possess in-depth knowledge of software and computer programs that UX professionals from non-graphic design backgrounds may not be familiar with. Often the same software and programs commonly used in graphic design can be used effectively in the UX process.
Brand awareness
Graphic designers strive to create the next Nike tick, a symbol or logo that’s eye-catching, memorable, and destined to become a symbol of the products enduring credibility and popularity. A talented graphic designer can help you conceive a user experience that really makes the brand stand out in people’s minds.
Upskilling
As a bonus, when graphic and UX designers work together, each learns more about the other’s craft and enhances their skills for the future. Speaking of the future, if you’re looking for a career in UX, an online course is a worthwhile place to start.
Improve Your Design & UX with Anchor Digital
If you’re looking for professionals to enhance your UX and graphic design, look no further. Anchor Digital understands how important each of these areas is to the success of your product and how to maximise the relationship between them for the best possible outcomes.
Our skilled and passionate designers use the best UX and graphic design software available to communicate your unique brand identity accurately and powerfully. We recognise that offering value is the best way to retain clients long-term. That’s why we’ll never trap you in a long-term contract but instead focus on results that will motivate you to work with us again.Drop us a line for graphic design and UX services that will make a big difference to your success.
