Taculia Designs

When people hear “UI/UX design,” many imagine something complicated, technical, or meant only for Silicon Valley professionals. But the truth is simpler — and more practical — especially when you’re building websites, mobile apps, or digital products for real people.

My name is Eventus Offiong Okon, a Nigerian web designer and digital strategist who started learning website design in 2019. Back then, like many beginners, I used tools like Canva, experimented with layouts, and tried to understand why some websites attract users while others chase them away.

That curiosity is what introduced me to UI and UX design — not in a classroom, but while trying to make real websites work better for real people.

Today, I’m going to break this down in the most practical way, using my personal experience and the lessons I’ve gained helping businesses build functional and engaging websites.

What UI Design Really Means

UI stands for User Interface — simply the visual part of a website or app that users interact with.

It includes things like:

• Buttons
• Fonts
• Colors
• Icons
• Spacing
• Layout
• Forms
• Navigation bars

When I first started designing websites in 2019, I didn’t even know this was called UI. I just wanted sites to “look clean” and “feel right.” Over time, I realized that every design choice affects how users behave.

For example, when designing simple business sites, I discovered that:

• A button placed at the top converts more than a button hidden below
• Clean fonts keep users reading longer
• Simple layouts reduce bounce rate
• Too many colors make users feel stressed

UI is not about showing off creativity — it is about helping users interact with your website easily.

And here’s the part most people miss: You don’t need coding to design UI. With tools like Canva, Figma, or even website builders, anyone can create strong UI once they understand clarity, balance, and user intention.

What UX Design Really Means

UX stands for User Experience — everything a user feels, thinks, and experiences while using your website or app.

UI is what they see. UX is what they experience.

UX includes:

• How long it takes users to find what they want
• How easy your checkout process is
• Whether your site loads fast
• Whether users trust your page
• Whether your content matches user intention
• Even how your website makes people feel

When I began building websites, I noticed that many clients didn’t just need “a beautiful site.” They needed a website that:

• Loads fast
• Helps customers contact them quickly
• Shows their value clearly
• Makes people stay longer
• Converts visitors into leads

This is UX. It’s not about colors and design — it’s about solving user problems.

UX is the difference between a fine-looking website that nobody uses and a simple website that brings customers.

Why Nigerians Often Misunderstand UI/UX Design

From my experience working with small business owners and upcoming designers, I’ve noticed common mistakes:

• Many people mistake UI/UX for graphics design
• Others think UI/UX requires coding
• Some assume it’s only for “tech gurus”
• Others feel it’s too complex to learn

But the truth is:

• You can learn UI/UX without knowing any programming language
• Anyone can start — even with Canva
• Consistency is the only secret
• It is more about psychology than tech
• It is a major factor in how websites perform

In fact, in this AI age, tools have made UI/UX easier than ever. The only real skill you need is the willingness to keep learning.

What UI/UX Designers Actually Do

Here’s what a real UI/UX designer does — beyond “making things pretty.”

• Understands user behavior
• Maps out user journeys
• Creates simple, clean interfaces
• Removes friction from digital products
• Makes digital interactions feel natural
• Helps businesses get better results
• Collaborates with developers
• Runs usability tests
• Improves user satisfaction

This is why the job is so valuable — you’re designing experiences, not just visuals.

Why UI/UX Matters on Websites (Based on My Real Projects)

Between 2019 and now, almost every website I’ve built followed one principle:

“If a user cannot understand your website in 5 seconds, they will leave.”

Some examples from my real work:

Local business website

When I improved the layout, simplified navigation, and clarified the call-to-action, customer inquiries increased immediately. The owner didn’t change their marketing — only the website experience.

Church website project

The previous site was slow and confusing. After restructuring the homepage layout and tightening the content, engagement time increased.

Personal brand site

By reorganizing how the content was structured, users stayed longer and clicked through more pages.

These improvements were not due to “graphics” — they were driven by UI/UX principles.

Can Anyone Learn UI/UX? Yes. Here’s Why

Let me break it down simply:

You don’t need coding. You don’t need a tech background. You don’t need expensive software. You don’t need to go to school for it. You don’t need years of training.

What you truly need is:

• Curiosity
• Consistency
• Understanding of users
• Attention to detail

If you can learn design tools like Canva, you can learn the basics of UI/UX. With platforms like YouTube, Coursera, and AI tools, the learning curve is now easier than ever.

Is UI/UX an IT Job?

UI/UX is considered part of the tech ecosystem because it contributes directly to digital product development. However, unlike programming, networking, or cybersecurity:

• It is a creative-technical hybrid
• It doesn’t require coding
• It focuses on user behavior and design
• It is accessible to anyone

In today’s world, UI/UX designers are among the most in-demand professionals because every business now depends on digital experience to grow.

Final Thoughts From My Experience

From 2019 to today, everything I’ve learned about UI/UX didn’t come from a textbook — it came from building real websites, making mistakes, adjusting designs, and listening to users.

What UI/UX really means is simple:

• It is the art of making digital experiences simple, enjoyable, and effective.
• It is designing in a way that respects the user.
• It is a skill anyone can learn with consistency.

If you want, we can now proceed to the next article in the cluster:

What does a UI/UX designer do

Can I learn UX in 3 months

Is UI/UX an IT job