Do UX/UI Designers Make Websites? Insights from Real Projects

By Eventus Offiong Okon

Web designer & digital strategist — building and ranking websites since 2019.

The first time a client asked me if UX/UI designers actually “make websites,” I realized there was a big misunderstanding about what our job entails. Some people confuse UI/UX design with graphic design or full-stack development, and others assume that designing a mockup automatically means coding a live website.Since 2019, I’ve worked on multiple projects with clients such as Essieno Group and Starberry Group. Through this experience, I’ve seen firsthand how UX/UI design and website development intersect, but also how distinct they remain. This article explains the true role of a UX/UI designer and what they actually do when building websites.

Understanding the UX/UI Designer Role

UX (User Experience) and UI (User Interface) designers focus on how users interact with a website or application. Their work involves:

User Research: Understanding the target audience, their pain points, and preferences.
Wireframing: Creating blueprint layouts to plan website structure.
Prototyping: Making clickable or visual mockups to demonstrate flow and functionality.
Visual Design: Selecting colors, typography, spacing, and interface elements for an intuitive experience.
Usability Testing: Observing how real users interact with the design to identify issues before development.

In essence, UX/UI designers craft the blueprint and visual guidance for websites, ensuring users have a seamless experience and can navigate effortlessly.

Do UX/UI Designers Code Websites?

The short answer: not always. While some designers also code (front-end development), most focus purely on design. Here’s how it works in practice:

Design Only: Tools like Canva, Figma, and Adobe XD allow designers to create mockups without coding.
Collaborative Development: Designers hand off UI/UX assets and specifications to developers who implement them in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or other frameworks.
Full-Stack UX/UI Designers: In some cases, designers have coding skills and build simple websites themselves, especially for small businesses or portfolio projects.

Example: For Starberry Group, I created detailed UI mockups and user flow diagrams. Our developer converted the designs into a fully functional website. I focused on layout, branding, and user experience, but the coding was handled separately.

Why UX/UI Design is Essential for Website Success

Even if a UX/UI designer doesn’t code the site, their work is critical to its success:

Optimized User Flow: A well-structured website keeps visitors engaged and reduces bounce rates.
Better Conversion Rates: Strategic placement of buttons, forms, and CTAs improves leads and sales.
Consistent Branding: Colors, fonts, and layout reflect brand identity, making the website memorable.
Efficient Development: Clear design handoffs reduce back-and-forth between designers and developers.

For my client Essieno Group, we redesigned their service pages. By reorganizing the content flow and improving interface elements, we saw a noticeable increase in user inquiries and time spent on the site.

How UX/UI Designers and Developers Collaborate

UX/UI designers don’t work in isolation. Successful website creation involves teamwork:

Design Handoff: Use of tools like Figma or Zeplin to provide developers with assets, measurements, and specifications.
Iteration: Designers review the site during development to ensure the live site matches the design intent.
Feedback Loop: Usability testing post-launch may prompt updates to design or functionality.

This collaboration ensures the website not only looks good but works seamlessly for users.

Can Anyone Learn to Make Websites as a UX/UI Designer?

Absolutely. With consistent learning and practice:

Anyone can master UX research, wireframing, and visual design tools like Canva and Figma.
Coding is optional, thanks to AI and no-code platforms.
Real-world projects, like those I’ve handled since 2019, provide invaluable learning experiences.

Consistency and attention to user experience are more important than knowing every programming language.

Conclusion

Do UX/UI designers make websites? The truth is nuanced. They may not always code, but they design the structure, interface, and flow that make websites usable, beautiful, and effective. Without their guidance, developers would be creating sites without a user-centered blueprint, which can lead to poor usability and lower conversions.

If you want to learn UX/UI today, focus on understanding users, mastering design tools, and collaborating effectively with developers. The combination of design expertise and practical workflow knowledge is what ensures a successful website.

Taculia Designs