3 Key Differences Between UX/UI Design and Coding, If you’ve ever considered learning UX design or coding, you might wonder if you should choose between the two since they seem like two very different skill sets with two entirely different career paths to explore. However, there are some key differences between the two that might make it easier to decide which path to take. In this article, we’ll outline three of the most important differences between UX/UI design and coding that will help you make your decision about which path to follow in your career.
3 Key Differences Between UX/UI Design and Coding
- What’s The Difference, Really?
- Should You Learn Both?
- Which One Should You Start With?
What’s The Difference, Really?
UX design and coding are often compared to one another, but each field has its own set of skills and its own purpose. While they’re related in some ways, they can be very different depending on the type of work you want to do.
Coding is a lot more logical and analytical than UX design. It deals with how to make something work as best as it can, rather than what would make it aesthetically pleasing. This means coding focuses more on how users will interact with a product or website, while UX design focuses on what the user sees. The two fields also look at problems from different perspectives: coding starts by identifying the problem and then looks for a solution, while UX design starts by defining the user experience and then looks for a way to solve that problem.
While both coding and UX design are important to building an effective product, each field is suited for different types of projects. For example, if you want to build a website or app, it’s best to enlist a skilled web developer with coding skills first. When you want that website or app to be as visually appealing as possible, however, it’s worth hiring a UI designer with visual design skills.
If your goal is to create something without any interaction (e.g., a logo), then you could start by designing it using just paper and pencil, without any need for coding or UX skills. Whatever your end goal might be, determining whether you need code-based skills or not should be based on your project’s needs—not what other people may tell you is the easiest way to go about accomplishing your goal.
While both coding and UI design are very different from one another, each is still very important to have in your skill set. Even if you don’t plan on learning to code or becoming a UI designer, being familiar with how they work can help you be more effective at working with them in your own projects. For example, having a basic understanding of code can help you determine which parts of your product need to be coded by a developer while knowing what UX design involves can help you determine how best to get that functionality into your product. It’s important to understand these key differences between coding and UX design so that you’re able to work most effectively with them (and other related fields) as needed.
Should You Learn Both?
UX designers are generally more visual thinkers who create wireframes, design the user interface, and ensure the website is responsive to different screens. Coders tend to be more focused on the implementation of code – which can include everything from HTML to JavaScript – in order to build a functioning website. Neither one is better than the other; it’s just about finding what you enjoy doing most.
What will you get out of learning both? Learning both disciplines requires that you spend time studying and working on both aspects of web development. In return for your investment, you’ll become familiar with two very distinct fields within web development. If that sounds like a good fit for you, go for it! You won’t regret expanding your knowledge base and gaining a wider perspective on the field of web development.
Most developers will have to learn both disciplines at some point. According to a 2016 study from IT job board Dice, 53% of hiring managers look for candidates with experience in both design and development. Because so many companies need employees who can handle design and development, it makes sense that you should learn both fields if you’re hoping to become a full-time developer. However, it’s also true that some employers are more likely than others to seek out workers with knowledge in one or both of these areas. If you know you want to specialize in one area or another eventually, you may want to prioritize learning about whichever field interests you most.
Which One Should You Start With?
If you want to design a website, you’ll need to start by learning the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You might also want to learn some basic design tools like Photoshop or Illustrator.
If you want to create a website, then you’ll need a different set of skills. You’ll need to learn how to code in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript – plus how frameworks like Bootstrap can help speed up the process. So which one should you start with? If your goal is a web design, start by learning the basics of UI/UX design first. There are plenty of free tutorials available online that will teach you about color palettes, typography choices for different devices, and layouts for various types of projects.
If your goal is web development, consider learning basic design software like Photoshop first. This will help you learn how to use layout tools, which can be crucial to a web designer’s toolkit. You’ll also be able to create mockups for clients that can help you get gigs before you’re ready to code. Then, once you’ve got some knowledge under your belt, choose a platform—like WordPress or Tumblr—and start creating!
Each option offers a different level of difficulty. A Bootcamp-style course is generally more accessible since it focuses on helping you get your feet wet as quickly as possible. Bootcamps will take you through in-person lectures, followed by time spent working through your own projects online. You’ll be able to work at your own pace with mentors available to guide you along each step of the way. You’ll learn a ton about real-world examples, but these courses aren’t for those who are looking to get an education or expand their network.
