The Hook
Have you ever visited a website that looked beautiful but was absolutely frustrating to use? Or an ugly app that somehow works perfectly?
That is the battle between UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience).
If you are confused about the difference, you are not alone. Let’s clear it up with the famous “Ketchup Bottle” rule.
1. The Ketchup Analogy
Think of a bottle of ketchup.
UI (The Look): This is the glass bottle, the shiny label, the red color, and the typography. It’s designed to make you want to buy it from the shelf.
UX (The Feel): This is how easy it is to get the sauce out.
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Glass bottle? You have to hit the bottom 10 times. (Bad UX).
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Sqeazy plastic bottle? One squeeze and you are done. (Good UX).
Simple Math:
UI = How it looks (Visuals) UX = How it works (Logic)
2. Why Do You Need Both?
Imagine you have a great-looking car (Great UI) but the engine doesn’t start (Bad UX). It’s useless. Now imagine a super-fast engine (Great UX) inside a rusted, ugly frame (Bad UI). No one will buy it.
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UI attracts the user.
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UX makes them stay (and pay).
3. Three Quick Tips for Better Design
Whether you are a founder or a beginner designer, remember this:
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Don’t make me think: Users shouldn’t have to guess where to click. Keep buttons obvious.
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Speed matters: If your beautiful animation slows down the app, delete it.
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Consistency: Don’t change fonts on every page. It looks unprofessional.
Final Thought
Design isn’t just about making things “pretty.” It’s about solving problems.
UI is the invitation. UX is the party. Make sure both are awesome.
What do you think? Are you a “form over function” person, or do you just want things to work?
Drop a comment below 👇