The Hybrid Profile in UX/UI Design: Is it Really Possible?

When we talk about a hybrid profile between UX and UI, a delicate discussion often arises. For some, these roles should be clearly differentiated: the UX designer, focused on the user experience, and the UI designer, in charge of the visual interface. But can both profiles really coexist in one person? Some argue that it requires too much focus in each area to execute them correctly.

My Experience with UX/UI Hybrid Profile

Since I started to become familiar with the terms UX and UI, my work experience pushed me to learn both roles simultaneously. Although it is true that I first specialized in one of them, the pace of work quickly led me to master both fields. On a daily basis, I had to understand business and customer needs and apply solutions quickly and effectively.

In the ideal world, we could follow meticulous, step-by-step processes, testing our solutions on real users with unlimited time and budget. However, in the reality of work, time is a luxury. Here, both UX and UI merge, and it is necessary to know how to keep track of both at the same time. In my case, I had to not only design the user experience, but also communicate with the frontend and backend teams, and make sure the visual result was stunning.

Visual Impact and User Experience: Inseparable

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that, although we may idealize processes, it is the visual that impacts the client first. Seeing the light in their eyes when they see a creative and visually stunning result is what makes the difference. Of course, once their attention is captured, it's critical that the experience is equally strong.

To me, separating UX and UI are two sides of the same coin, and they must support each other to create successful products. It is vital to manage both areas fluently, but it is also essential to master the technical foundations of each and speak confidently about working methods. It is this combination that makes it possible to offer complete solutions that not only look good, but also work optimally.

Self-Learning and Constant Evolution

Throughout my career, I have been a constant learner. I am an active member of the Interaction Design Foundation and a follower of Don Norman, whose focus on the impact of design on society inspires me. One of his books, Design for a Better World, has reminded me that our work as designers must go beyond meeting commercial expectations; we must create products that actually improve people's lives.

In terms of tools, I've seen an impressive evolution: from Photoshop and Sketch, to Adobe XD and now Figma and Miro. Each new tool brings something new to the workflow, and it's essential to keep up with the latest features and trends to stay relevant in this industry. Design systems, for example, are a best practice for designers looking for accuracy and efficiency.

Final Thoughts on the Hybrid UX/UI Profile

A well-rounded designer must be able to self-manage in both fields, using the best practices of each to create products that not only impress visually, but also deliver an exceptional user experience. The ability to be flexible and adaptable is key in a work environment where time is of the essence and quick fixes are the norm.

Something important to add is that, as a graphic designer, my greatest skill is being a visual communicator, and it's something I consider myself very good at. I have worked on projects where my role was exclusively that of Visual Designer, while other colleagues focused on UX. However, in this exercise, I learned that even though the profiles are clearly designated, we never work in isolation. In the end, we form a great team, where collaboration and mutual understanding between UX and UI is what really drives the success of projects.

Keeping up to date with trends and tools, deeply understanding business and user needs, and mastering both UX and UI are the keys to succeed in this hybrid profile. Ultimately, it's not a matter of choosing between one or the other, but finding a way to integrate them effectively.