UX

User experience (UX) refers to a person’s overall experience when interacting with a product, system, or service. It covers usability, accessibility, performance, content quality, and emotional response, with the aim of meeting user needs while supporting business goals. UX design is the multidisciplinary practice of shaping these aspects through research, strategy, and iterative development.

Core components commonly include usability, information architecture and interaction design, visual and content design, and accessibility. UX also addresses the broader journey across multiple touchpoints, not just a single interface, seeking to align how a product feels from first exposure to long‑term use.

Methods used in UX include user research (interviews, surveys, observations), personas, journey maps, usability testing, prototyping, and analytics. The process is typically iterative and user‑centered, often described as design thinking or human‑centered design, with deliverables ranging from research reports to wireframes and interactive prototypes.

UX is frequently distinguished from user interface (UI) design, which focuses on the look and interactivity of interfaces, while UX encompasses the full experience. Standards and guidelines, such as WCAG for accessibility and Nielsen’s usability heuristics, guide practitioners and help measure outcomes.

Critics note that overemphasis on process can obscure outcomes, and that UX work should balance research, design judgment, and business constraints to avoid scope creep and to ensure value for users.