While the "user" is at the heart of the acronym UX, a truly great designer understands that the discipline extends far beyond just the end-user. The most successful products are the result of a holistic approach that considers the business goals, the technical feasibility, and the well-being of the team creating the product.

UX design is a balance of three core pillars

The User

This is the most talked-about pillar. It involves understanding the user's needs, behaviors, motivations, and pain points. Through research, testing, and feedback, a UX designer advocates for the user to ensure the product is usable, useful, and desirable. Without this foundation, the product will fail to meet its purpose and will not be adopted by the people it's intended for.

The Business

A product can be perfectly usable, but if it doesn't align with business objectives, it is not a success. UX designers must understand the business goals—whether it’s to increase revenue, grow the user base, or improve brand loyalty. A designer who can connect user needs to business outcomes is a strategic partner, not just a service provider. They ask questions like: "How does this feature contribute to our key performance indicators (KPIs)?" and "What is the return on investment (ROI) of this design decision?"

The Technology

A brilliant design concept is worthless if it cannot be built. A great UX designer has a working knowledge of the technical constraints and capabilities of the platform. They collaborate closely with engineers to ensure that their designs are not only beautiful and functional but also technically feasible and scalable. They understand the difference between what's possible and what's practical, and they design with a deep respect for the development process.

By embracing this three-part perspective—the user, the business, and the technology—UX designers can move beyond simply creating a great user experience and become the core of a product's success.

It's about designing a solution that is not only loved by users, but also sustainable for the business and a pleasure to build for the team.