Terminology

UX, short for User Experience, refers to a person's overall experience when interacting with a product or service. It encompasses every aspect of the user's interaction, including how easy it is to use, how enjoyable the experience is, and how well it meets the user's needs.

Good UX design strives to understand the users' goals and needs and then designs experiences that help them achieve those goals in the most efficient and enjoyable way possible. The field of UX design combines methodologies and techniques from a variety of disciplines such as graphic design, information architecture, ergonomics, copywriting, and cognitive psychology.

Why it's important

Websites are designed as tools to help users accomplish their goals. If a user finds it difficult or unpleasant to complete a task, they’re likely to abandon both the website and their intended goal.

In short, a poor user experience will drive users away and leave them with a negative impression of SHSU.

A user interface (UI) is the specific point of interaction between a user and a digital product or service. It includes all the elements users interact with, such as buttons, menus, forms, and other on-screen elements. The UI has many functions: it provides an aesthetic to the website, assists users with understanding the actions available to them, and supports the content.

Essentially, the UI is the visual and interactive part of a product that users see and engage with.

Why it's important

UI is about the look and feel of the product— the buttons you click, the colors you see, and the layout of the screen—which is a critical part of the user experience.

Information Architecture (IA) is the blueprint or framework for a website. It's how the site is organized, structured, and content is labeled to make it easy for users to find what they're looking for and navigate the website effectively.

The information architecture of the site determines the layout of pages, the hierarchy of information, and the pathways users will take to move from one section to another.

Why it's important

Users subconsciously judge their experience on how well their expectations are met. Users navigate websites based on what they expect to find after they click a link or scroll a page. Unmet expectations frustrate users, creating a poor user experience.

A Content Management System (CMS) is a software platform that allows users to create, manage, and modify website content without needing specialized technical skills like coding. It serves as a collaborative tool for building and maintaining websites.

At its core, a CMS simplifies the web development process by dividing roles. Non-technical users can focus on content creation, while designers and developers can work on customizing layouts and functionality.

Why it's important

The Content Management system is the functioning heart of complex websites. A well-configured CMS allows teams to collaborate efficiently by dividing technical, creative, and managerial roles, making website management streamlined and accessible for everyone.