‍

‍

How to Choose the Right Person for the Job.

‍

‍

When people hear the word “designer,” they often imagine one person who does it all — logos, websites, apps, user flows. That misunderstanding is common, and it leads to hiring the wrong person for the job. Web design, UI, and UX are three different crafts. They often overlap, but each plays a distinct role in shaping a digital product.

‍

Over the years, I’ve seen startups confuse a web designer for a UX researcher or expect a UI designer to code like a developer. The result is always the same: frustration, wasted resources, and products that don’t work as intended. To avoid that, it’s worth breaking down what each discipline actually means.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

Web Design: Building the Visual Face

Web design is the surface — the structure, layouts, colors, typography, and images of a website. A skilled web designer can make a page look clean, modern, and professional. It’s the first impression of a brand, and often what draws users in.

‍

But web design alone doesn’t define how people interact with a product. That’s where UI and UX step in.

‍

UI Design: How We Move Through the Screen

UI, or User Interface, is about interaction. Every button, menu, and visual element contributes to how easily users can move through a site or an app. UI designers make sure a product is consistent across devices, responsive to different screen sizes, and visually intuitive.

‍

Small details — like the placement of a call-to-action button or the weight of a font — can completely change how people navigate a product. A strong UI makes the journey smooth and appealing.

‍

UX Design: The Invisible Architecture

UX, or User Experience, is less visible but more powerful. It’s the research, testing, and mapping that ensure people don’t just use a product, but enjoy it. A UX designer focuses on the entire journey — how it begins, where users get stuck, and how to make it seamless.

‍

I’ve run usability tests where one confused gesture changed the entire design direction. That’s the value of UX: it exposes real human behavior and turns those insights into better solutions.

‍

Web Designers vs. Web Developers

Another common mix-up is between web designers and developers. Designers shape the look and layout, while developers build the technical foundation — HTML, CSS, JavaScript, databases. Both roles are essential: one imagines, the other brings it to life.

‍

Why Good Designers Matter

Hiring the right designer is about more than good looks. It’s about trust, clarity, and consistency. A strong designer:

‍

• Protects your brand identity.
• Adapts designs to trends without losing purpose.
• Brings creative solutions to complex problems.
• Ensures usability, so products don’t just look good but actually work.

‍

This is something I’ve learned through experience. After nine years in design — across web, UI, and UX projects — I’ve seen how the right approach can transform a product, and how the wrong hire can set it back months.

‍

Finding the Right Designer

Some lessons I’ve carried with me:

‍

• Don’t hire based only on a title. Match the role to your actual problem.
• Study portfolios, but also ask about the process. A designer’s thinking matters as much as their visuals.
• Choose quality over the cheapest option — bad design is always more expensive later.
• Communication is key. The best designers listen, adapt, and explain clearly.

‍

Whether you hire through platforms, agencies, or local professionals, the real success comes from aligning the right skills with the right challenge.

‍

The Bottom Line

Design isn’t decoration — it’s how people experience your product and your brand. Web design, UI, and UX are three different disciplines, each essential in its own way.

‍

So before you hire, ask yourself: Do you need a face? A flow? Or a foundation? Answering that question is the first step toward a product people will actually want to use.

‍

‍

‍

Aram Andreasyan
Industry Leader, Design Expert

‍