In the design world, the terms "UX" and "UI" are often used interchangeably, but they represent two distinct parts of the product experience. To build a successful product, you must understand where one ends and the other begins.

Think of it this way: UI is what you see, but UX is what you feel.

The Visual Layer: What is UI?

UI (User Interface) is the aesthetic and interactive layer of a product. It focuses on the specific assets a user interacts with on a screen.

• The Components: Buttons, colors, and fonts.
• The Core Question: UI always asks, "Does this look good?"

The Strategic Layer: What is UX?

UX (User Experience) is the internal experience a person has as they interact with every aspect of a company’s products and services.

• The Components: Flow, clarity, effort, and emotions.
• The Core Question: UX always asks, "Does this make sense?"

Why UX Must Lead

You can have a beautiful interface (UI), but if the user can't figure out how to complete a task (UX), the product will fail. A pretty button that is impossible to find is a failure of design.

While great products need both to succeed, UX leads the way because functionality and clarity are the foundations upon which beauty is built.