Common Mistake in Hiring UI/UX Designers: Overvaluing Sketches Over Visuals

When hiring a UI/UX designer, a common pitfall is placing too much emphasis on their ability to create wireframes and sketches—the UX side of design—while overlooking the critical visual design elements that fall under UI. At Klanova, we believe this imbalance can impact the overall quality of the product. While UX is important, we prioritize hiring UI designers who are exceptionally strong in typography, color theory, layouts, and similar visual elements. These are essential components of a well-crafted user interface. The visual appeal, usability, and accessibility are all driven by these factors, making them fundamental to great design. The UX aspect, while important, should often emerge from collaboration with the Product Manager. In fact, a well-rounded Product Manager should have the capability to sketch wireframes and guide user flows, ensuring the project’s goals are met. This partnership allows the UI designer to focus on what they excel at—crafting engaging, beautiful, and intuitive interfaces.

Why We Call the Role “UI Designer”

This distinction is so important to us that at Klanova, we specifically call the role “UI Designer” instead of the more common “UI/UX Designer”. We believe that bundling both roles into one diminishes the specialization required for each. UX is treated as a shared responsibility between the Product Manager and the UI Designer, allowing for a more efficient and focused approach to both visual design and user experience.

This collaboration can be summarized with a simple formula that reflects our process:

UX = f(Product Manager, UI Designer)

This expression signifies that UX is a function of both the Product Manager and the UI Designer working together. By emphasizing this balance, we ensure both aspects are handled by the right experts, leading to a product that is both visually stunning and user-friendly.

UI vs. UX: What’s the Difference?

UI (User Interface) primarily focuses on the aesthetic and interaction elements of the product, while UX (User Experience) revolves around user flow and functionality. To clarify the distinction, here’s a breakdown of what falls under each:

UI (User Interface) Responsibilities:

Typography: Ensuring font choices align with brand identity and readability.
Color Theory: Crafting a visually appealing and accessible color palette.
Layouts: Structuring content for clarity, balance, and usability.
Visual Hierarchy: Guiding the user’s attention to important information.
Interactive Elements: Buttons, icons, and other components that the user interacts with.

UX (User Experience) Responsibilities:

User Research: Understanding user needs and pain points through data and testing.
Wireframes and Prototypes: Sketching out basic layouts and workflows.
Information Architecture: Structuring the content so users can find what they need easily.
User Flow: Designing intuitive navigation and functionality that allows users to achieve their goals.
Usability Testing: Ensuring the design meets the user’s expectations and needs effectively.

At Klanova, we believe the most effective product development comes from collaborative teams where UI designers and Product Managers work closely to marry strong visual design with smooth user experiences. By letting the Product Manager take more responsibility for UX, the UI designer can focus on their core strengths, resulting in a more cohesive and visually compelling product.