Front End Developer vs UX Designer: Choose Wisely [2023]

Explore the career choices: Front End Developer vs UX Designer. Understand the salaries and make the right decision for your tech journey.

A UI/UX Designer’s average income is $73,000 (Source:Indeed.com), whereas a front-end developer’s typical salary is $62,000. Making the appropriate choice about which career to pursue is critical when it comes to securing your ideal job in the tech business. Today, almost every business has a website. Websites are required for businesses to remain competitive and reach out to new clients. So you want to be a designer or a programmer? The world of technology is a fantastic place to be, and there are several pathways you might pursue. But which should you hire: a front-end developer, a UX designer, or a UI designer? These roles are in high demand and come with a slew of perks.

Front End Developer vs UX Designer

If you’re concerned about the difference between a UI/UX designer and a front-end developer, you’re not the only one.

Many people are unfamiliar with the distinctions between these two roles and are eager to learn more about them before enrolling in an online front-end development course. Here, we will look at the distinctions between UI/UX designers and front-end developers, as well as some career-boosting recommendations

UI/UX designers make an average salary of $73,000, according to Indeed.com, whereas front-end developers make an average salary of $62,000. Making the appropriate choice on which position to pursue is essential if you want to get your ideal career in the IT business. Today, almost every company has a website. For businesses to remain competitive and attract new clients, websites are essential. 

What Are UI and UX, Anyway?

Although UI and UX are frequently used synonymously, they really refer to two separate concepts. “User interface” or “UI” refers to a product’s or website’s visual components. Layout, colour scheme, font, and general aesthetics are covered in this section. UX, on the other hand, stands for “user experience” and describes how customers engage with a service or website.

It comprises features like usability, navigation, and general functionality.  Although UI and UX are two distinct ideas, both are crucial for developing a successful product or website. A well-designed UX may make a product or website more user-friendly and simple to use, while a well-designed UI can increase its aesthetic attractiveness.

Which one is thus more crucial? Depending on your viewpoint, yes. If you’re a designer, UI will likely hold greater significance for you. UX is definitely more significant to you as a developer. But ultimately, a good user experience is a result of both UI and UX. Designers may produce goods and websites that are both visually beautiful and user-friendly by concentrating on both UI and UX.

An overview of UX design in web development and its function

In the world of web development, the phrase “UX design” is frequently used, but what does it truly mean? UX design is the process of ensuring that your website or app is simple to use and offers a positive user experience. It’s crucial to understand that UX design differs from UI design. While UX ensures the interface is simple to use, it concentrates on the look and feel of the interface.

When creating a website or app, a skilled UX designer would consider all facets of the user experience, including factors like usability, accessibility, and even emotion. The objective of UX design is to produce a website or app that is simple to use and offers the user a satisfying experience. To put it another way, it’s crucial to make sure that visitors to your website or app can simply discover what they need and that they like using it. 

A young software programmer tests the new app in virtual reality glasses in a dark office

Opt for the top full-stack web development school if you want to construct web applications to launch your career. They instruct you on how to integrate UX design into your web development process as well as the distinctions between front-end developers and UX designers. Remember this:

  • It’s critical to realize that UX design is a continuous process. It’s a continuous process that has to be adjusted and enhanced depending on user input. 
  • Every phase of the development process, from the early planning phases all the way to launch, should include UX design. Your development team’s members should all be familiar with UX design concepts and how to use them in their work. 
  • Remember that UX design is more than just making your website or app simple to use. Making ensuring that it is fun to use is also important. After all, if no one wants to use a website or app, what good is it to have one? 

UX Design’s Function in Web Development

Ensuring that consumers have a favourable experience when using a website or app is the responsibility of UX design in web development. When creating a website or app, a skilled UX designer considers elements like navigation, content, and overall aesthetics.

In order to build effective and user-friendly websites, UX design is essential. Web developers may create websites that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also simple to use and navigate by knowing the UX design concepts. A couple of the steps are as follows: 

  • Conduct user research, which entails examining the actions and preferences of the target audience, to comprehend needs and requirements.
  • Produce prototypes and wireframes to provide developers with a better sense of how the website will function and seem when it is finished. 
  • Real-world testing is helpful in identifying any problems that must be fixed before the website goes live. 
  • After the website is released, it is crucial to keep an eye on its usage to ensure that the UX design is functioning as planned. 

Web designers may guarantee that consumers have a great experience when using their website by continuously updating the UX design. It increases website traffic and conversions and contrasts front-end developers and UX designers. 

The Function of UI Design in Web Development: An Overview

  • The area of a website or app that users interact with is called the user interface (UI).
  • It is what enables individuals to carry out actions like looking for information or finishing a transaction. Any web development project’s success depends on a well-designed user interface (UI).
  • It may be the difference between a person having a good time on your website and then getting upset and leaving.
  • Creating user interfaces that are both efficient and aesthetically pleasing is the process by which UI designers and front-end developers are compared when discussing web development.
  • It entails developing the graphical components, such as buttons and icons, as well as arranging the UI’s structure and style.

UI Design’s Function in Web Development

It’s critical to keep in mind that UI design encompasses more than simply aesthetics. It also concerns how it functions. Although aesthetics are significant, practicality must always come first. Every UI designer has to keep the following things in mind: 

  • Simplicity: Your interface should be easy for users to comprehend and utilize. Reduce the number of steps needed to perform an activity. Use well-known conventions and stay clear of extraneous clutter. 
  • Efficiency: The UI should make it simple and quick for users to achieve their objectives. The navigation process should be simple and goal-oriented. 
  • Flexibility: The UI needs to change with the users’ evolving demands. It needs to be simple to adjust or personalize as necessary. 
  • Usability: Make sure the user interface is clear and simple to use. Users ought to have no trouble finding what they’re looking for. Every feature and function ought to operate as intended. 

These are only a handful of the numerous factors that are taken into account while creating a successful UI. Every project is unique, thus it’s crucial to adapt the design to the particular requirements of the consumers. Any web development project must have a successful user interface (UI). You may quickly complete the finest full-stack web development course and design a user-friendly interface by keeping these important factors in mind. 

Also read:-Best Product Management Courses Online (2023)

Web Development: Front-End Understanding

You must have a thorough grasp of front-end procedures if you want to work as a web developer. This includes everything from planning and designing the user interface to coding and testing the completed result. When compared to UI UX designers, it makes a huge difference for front-end developers. Planning and designing are the first steps in every front-end development project.

It determines the website’s general aesthetic and user experience, as well as how visitors will engage with it. Once you have a thorough strategy in place, you can begin writing code. 

HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are a few of the computer languages that are frequently used for front-end development. The first thing we advise studying is HTML and CSS if you’re just starting started. Once you’ve got a grasp on things, you can start incorporating JavaScript to make your website more interactive. Once your code is finished, you should test everything.

You may use it to make that all of your links are functional and that your website has the layout and features you desire. You may make your site public whenever you’re satisfied with the results. HTML, CSS, and JavaScript are used in tandem to create the front end. 

  • A web page can have material added to it using HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). It consists of text, pictures, links, and more material. 
  • Font size, colour, and spacing are just a few of the HTML components on a web page that may be styled using CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). 
  • A web page may become more interactive by using JavaScript. It includes elements like social media widgets, picture galleries, and form validation. 

Together, these three technologies are utilized to design the user interface and offer the functionality that visitors to a modern website have come to expect. A thorough grasp of how HTML, CSS, and JavaScript interact is necessary to build a fantastic front end. The main distinction between front-end developers and UX designers is this.

It also calls for a keen sense of design and knowledge of what visitors expect from a website or online application. The Knowledgehut front-end development course is a great online resource if you’re interested in learning more about front-end development. 

Advice for Future Designers

You need to understand the user experience and be able to make prototypes and mockups that are aesthetically attractive in order to be a competent designer. You should also possess the following competencies: 

  • Design fundamentals: To become a skilled UX designer, you must first comprehend concepts like research, wireframing, and usability testing. By reading books on the subject or enrolling in an online course, you may gain these abilities. 
  • Creating prototypes and mockups is one thing, but making graphics that consumers will truly find appealing is another. Develop an eye for good design. You need to know how to arrange items on a page, select the appropriate colours and typography, and be an effective designer. 
  • Be open to trying new things since doing is the best teacher. Designers should continuously be experimenting with fresh concepts and trying out novel methods. You can only improve your craft by continuing to push yourself and trying new things. 
  • Obtain opinions from others Get the frank feedback of your friends and coworkers on your work. Be willing to accept criticism; it will only help you become a better person. 
  • Spend money on design software: You need the appropriate tools if you want to be a competent designer. Invest in design tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Sketch so you can produce high-calibre graphics. 
  • Keep abreast with current trends: The field of design is ever-evolving. You must keep up with the most recent trends if you want to be a competent designer. Read design blogs and subscribe to trade journals. 
  • Create a portfolio to demonstrate your talents and expertise to potential employers. Showcase your greatest work, of course. 

Advice for Future Web Developers

  • Someone who can design, create, and manage a website is known as a web developer. They need to have coding skills in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and be knowledgeable about several web development frameworks. An excellent web developer often excels in three key areas. 
  • Technical Competencies: A skilled web developer should be able to write code in a number of programming languages and feel at ease with a range of technologies. They should also be well-versed in how the internet functions. 
  • Creativity: Only the greatest web developers are able to think up fresh concepts and innovative fixes for issues. Always think creatively and provide original answers. 
  • Understanding the demands of the business is essential if you’re going to be able to match solutions to those needs with the objectives of the company. Additionally, make an effort to comprehend the demands of stakeholders and communicate with them effectively. 

Conclusion

In other words, front-end developers are in charge of implementing the concepts created by UI/UX designers to create an interface that is both aesthetically pleasing and simple to use. Both positions are critical to the development of a website or app and provide excellent career opportunities. With the correct education, you may advance your career as a front-end developer or expert UI/UX designer, and you can significantly improve the online presence of companies all over the world.

Check out the front-end development course online if you’re still unsure about the differences between front-end developers and UX designers or just want to learn more about one of them. With a broad range of job opportunities, these courses can assist you in getting going right away. 

We hope this comparison between “Front End Developer vs UX Designer” has been insightful in helping you navigate your tech career choices. Your journey in the world of technology is full of exciting opportunities!