If you want to build a mobile or a web application and proceed with its successful launch, it’s vitally necessary to take in account a wide range of aspects and look at them through the prism of business and of course users. We all fully understand that success of an application depends on its functionality and use it may bring to them. And indeed the aspect of functionality seems to be crucial and is always considered as priority, while design mostly takes a back seat. Further on, let’s speak about the UX/UI design, why it’s worth paying attention to no less than to the technical side of the question.
First Impression Makes the Difference
An application may have a great functionality with an extensive set of beneficial features, but it is offset by the low-quality UI/UX design, and you will lose your potential user with a high probability. And even in case you correct an error and make improvements to the design, the chance of attracting this user back is not that high due to the initially bad user experience.
So what should we keep in mind to avoid the failure? If the UI/UX design of the web or mobile application leaves much to be desired, the probability that a user would linger at the app is negligible due to the first impression that already can’t be changed. So, if you want to keep your potential user’s attention a little longer and prevent his/her premature leaving of the application, it’s necessary to come about UI/UX with all seriousness.
UI & UX Design. What’s the Difference?
Well, let’s take a closer look at both these notions. First of all, it must be pointed out that they should be considered separately, since they are completely different. But at the same time both elements have fundamental importance for the end product and one can not exist without another.
Let’s start from UX design (user experience). This notion includes the process of user’s problem detection and further solution, in order to increase his/her satisfaction and facilitate better interaction between a user and an application. Usability improvement, ease of use and user’s satisfaction from the interaction with an application determine the quality level of the product along with its relevance.
And what about UI design (user interface)? Quite often UI design is mixed up with a graphic design, which is definitely not correct. UI is a complicated structure which transfers the product development from the layout to the attractive and understandable experience for users. UI is an art which focuses on a variety of elements of the product interface that make it attractive, such as colours, button style, graphic, animation, widgets and many others. Main responsibility of Ui designer is the visual user’s perception of the end product.
Read Also How to Understand It’s Time for UX/UI Modernization
The Importance of UI/UX Design is Clear. Should I Choose a Company or a Freelancer to Work on it?
From day to day all we face the necessity of a choice. Sometimes it’s simple and we are able to decide right away, sometimes we’re stuck and need time to think it over. It’s vitally necessary to take all the aspects into account to make an informed decision that wouldn’t have negative consequences. So let’s do all the pros and cons, and try to understand which option is more preferable: to hire a company or a freelancer to work the application UI/UX design out.
Hiring a Company for UI/UX Design: Pros and Cons
Points in favor of making UI/UX design a company’s burden:
- Extended Skill Set
A company normally has a staff with a variety of skills that can be applied to your project. The great advantage is that all the elements of your application will be accepted collectively, so it’s a better chance to gain a project of the highest quality in the result. - Better Tools Applied
By definition, a company has an extensive budget to invest in technologies necessary for development of UI/UX, so using the best tools is affordable. Therefore it ensures the quality of your end product. - Experienced Team
A company providing UI/UX design services gathers a team of experienced professionals. And even if your project will be handled by a young professional, there will always be supervisor monitoring the process of work - High Level of Trust
A company, which has been a market player for quite a long time established itself as a team of professionals which implemented numerous projects. You may easily surf the Internet to check the reviews, and to make a decision on this basis which is the distinct advantage.
Points against making UI/UX design a company’s burden:
- High Costs
It should be taken into account that you pay not only for a team of specialists, but for the experience, reliability and reputation, conquered over the years. So that is why you should be prepared that the cost for your project will not be that low as you may expect. - Handling Multiple Projects at Once
In contrast to a freelancer, a company may handle multiple projects at the same time, so it may cause some communication difficulties.
Hiring a Freelancer for UI/UX Design: Pros and Cons
Points in favor of making UI/UX design a freelancer’s burden:
- Affordable Cost
This point is an undeniable advantage of hiring a freelancer to work on UI/UX. Since you are hiring a single professional directly, there is no need to pay extra for a company’s mediation. Moreover, hiring a company you also pay for the team of experts, office space and set of tools, and all the aspects are already included in the price. - Full Dedication
One more indisputable advantage. You solve all the issues considering your project with one person, which facilitates better experience of cooperating with a freelancer. - Handling a Single Project
It’s doubtful that a freelancer would have enough time to handle several projects, which means that yours will be a priority.
Points against making design a freelancer’s burden:
- Single Skill Set
Most probably you will gain a specialist, experienced in only one area, and his/her knowledge may be not enough for your future application. - Less Reliability
There is a higher risk that a freelancer would deliver the work with delay or at an unacceptable standard. Such issues are possible if the freelancer is not experienced enough and doesn’t have testimonials on his/her web page. - Lower Quality
Unlike a company, a freelancer doesn’t have enough budget to invest in the best tools for work. - Inability to Handle Large Projects
Large projects require an extensive skill set, which a freelancer will not have with the high probability.
Conclusions
As you may understand from the written above, the choice will depend on your priorities and of course, budget. Both options have advantages and disadvantages, and evaluating all the aspects of your project has vital importance for the informed decision. If you want to entrust the UI/UX design of your future application to a professional team of designers, please contact us, we will be glad to help you.