UI/UX or UX/UI – Which is Right? A Beginner’s Guide to the Right Order in Design

Introduction: The Importance of Order

If you’ve been around tech folks or design teams long enough, you’ve probably heard the debate:
“Should we call it UI/UX or UX/UI?”

At first glance, it sounds like one of those little internet arguments that don’t really matter. But in this case, the order actually does matter. It reflects how we think about design, how we approach solving problems, and the path products take from idea to real-life experience.

The truth is that UX (User Experience) is the bigger picture—how a product works, how it solves problems, and how it makes people feel—while UI (User Interface) is one slice of that pie: the buttons, colors, and screens that you actually see and touch.

Interested in designing? Enroll now in our UI/UX course and secure your future!

Getting this order wrong may not be a crime, but it can confuse people who are new to design. In this blog, we’ll break down what each really means, why most designers agree on the order, and how you can start building skills to excel in both—especially with industry-focused learning like Entri’s UI/UX Design course in Kerala.

What is UX Design?

UX design is all about the whole user journey—how a person feels and interacts with a product, step by step. It starts with research to find out what users need and where they face problems. Then, UX designers plan how the product flows, making tasks simple and logical.

Imagine a product like the Apple Magic Mouse. The UX includes how easy it is to hold, how smoothly it moves, and where the charging port is placed. Apple once placed the charging port at the bottom of the mouse, which meant users couldn’t use it while charging. (see below)This example shows how a small UX decision can impact the whole experience.

UX focuses on usefulness and emotions, aiming to reduce frustrations and make the product pleasant to use.

Quick tip: Think of UX as the blueprint of a house—it decides how rooms connect and how you move inside.

What is UI Design?

UI is about what meets your eyes and fingers on the screen. It includes the colors, fonts, buttons, icons, and layouts you interact with. UI designers take the UX blueprint and design the actual screens and controls users see and click.

In the Apple Magic Mouse example, the sleek design, the shiny surface, and the clickable areas are part of UI. The look and feel make the product attractive and engaging.

UI is more about aesthetics and clarity, making sure everything looks good and is easy to find.

Quick tip: UI is like the paint, wallpaper, and furniture in a house—making the space inviting and easy to use.

Which Comes First: UX or UI?

This question is the design world’s version of the timeless chicken-and-egg debate. Designers have joked about it for years. But unlike the chicken-and-egg riddle, here the answer is less mysterious—UX comes before UI.Why? Because UX sets the foundation. You can’t make a product look beautiful and easy to navigate if you don’t know what it’s supposed to do and why people would use it in the first place.

Think of it like baking a cake: UX is choosing the recipe, gathering ingredients, and deciding the flavor. UI is simply icing it and sprucing it up with decorations. You wouldn’t start icing before you know what cake you’re making (at least, we hope not).

Here’s another way to picture it: UI is part of UX—just like seasoning is part of cooking. Without UX, UI would be like beautifully frosting an empty plate.

And yes, in real-world design, the two often work hand-in-hand. As UX designs the flow, UI starts taking shape. But the usual (and logical) order is experience first, appearance next.

Also read UI vs. UX Design: Differences, Roles, and Which to Learn

Want a headstart? Access our free foundational UI/UX material now!

UI/UX Design Trends in 2025

The design world is fast-changing. Here are some trends to watch out for:

• AI-Powered Personalization: Smart interfaces that change based on what users like or do.

• 3D and Immersive Design: Using 3D or virtual reality elements for more engaging experiences.

• Voice and Gesture Controls: Talking or gesturing to control apps and devices without touching screens.

• Inclusive Design: Making sure products work well for everyone, including people with disabilities.

• Minimalistic Layouts: Clear, simple designs focusing on what matters most.

• Micro-interactions: Small animations or effects that give feedback, like a button highlighting when clicked.

Keeping up with trends like these is easier with courses that teach modern skills, such as Entri’s UI/UX Design course.

Tips for Effective UI/UX Design

Designing great experiences is both an art and a science. Let’s break this down into key areas you can focus on:

1. Understand Your Users Deeply

Before touching any design tool, first know who you’re designing for. Talk to users, run surveys, and watch how they use existing solutions. You might discover surprising truths—like people skipping your favorite feature because they didn’t notice it.

Example: Netflix regularly surveys and studies users’ watching habits, which is why its interface changes subtly to match your viewing patterns.

2. Build Clear and Logical Flows

Good UX feels like a calm, well-planned journey. Every step should lead somewhere logical.

• Map out tasks step-by-step.

• Avoid dead ends.

• Make sure people always know what to do next.

Example: Amazon’s checkout experience works so well because at no point do you stop and wonder, “What now?”—it’s always guiding you forward.

3. Design Responsively for All Screens

Your users might visit on a tiny phone screen, a giant desktop monitor, or a tablet in landscape mode.
Responsive design ensures that layouts adapt gracefully to any device and don’t become frustrating jigsaw puzzles.

4. Apply UI Principles Thoughtfully

UI is more than making things pretty—it’s making them clear.

• Use contrast to highlight key actions.

• Keep font choices readable.

• Stick to consistent spacing and alignment.

• Don’t overcrowd screens; give elements room to breathe.

Example: Apple’s designs use tons of white space and consistent icon styles—making them feel uncluttered and trustworthy.

5. Test, Learn, Repeat

Even the best designers don’t get it perfect the first time. Run usability tests with real users, collect feedback, and keep improving. In design, the real magic happens in iteration—each cycle makes your product smoother and more enjoyable.

6. Get Comfortable with the Right Tools

Tools like Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch are your creative canvas. Learning them well means you can bring your UX ideas to life fast and clearly.

7. Build a Portfolio That Shows Your Thinking

Clients and companies don’t just want to see beautiful screens, they want to understand your process. Share:

• The problem you were solving.

• The research you did.

• The final product and user responses.

This shows you think like a real designer, not just a decorator.

People also read What to Include in a UI/UX Portfolio

Why Choose Entri’s UI/UX Design Course in Kerala?

Entri’s UI/UX course is designed to help beginners and professionals alike:

• It covers user research, wireframing, prototyping, and visual design with real projects.

• You learn tool skills with Figma, Adobe XD, and more.

• Industry experts guide you with mentorship and job placement help.

• You earn recognized certification to boost your career.

These features ensure you not only learn theory but gain practical, job-ready skills.

Learn more about How to Become a UI/UX Designer: A Step-by-Step Roadmap

Conclusion: Begin Your UI/UX Journey Today

UI and UX are inseparable parts of creating products that people enjoy using. UX plans the journey, and UI makes it beautiful and easy to navigate. Understanding both aspects prepares you to design thoughtfully and effectively.

If you want to become a skilled UI/UX designer and stay updated with future trends, consider enrolling in Entri’s hands-on UI/UX Design course in Kerala. It provides expert guidance, modern tools training, and career support to help you succeed in this fast-growing industry.

Your design career starts with learning the right skills and practicing with purpose—start today with Entri.