UI Concepts Framework · CHAPTER 2 OF 8
UI concept foundations
Why UI Concept Cannot Be Ignored
Good UX Can Still Feel Visually Disconnected
A product may have clear workflows, improved navigation, and better Information Architecture.
But without a defined visual direction, the final interface can still feel inconsistent, generic, or disconnected from the company’s brand.
Good UX Can Still Feel Visually Disconnected
A product may have clear workflows, improved navigation, and better Information Architecture.
But without a defined visual direction, the final interface can still feel inconsistent, generic, or disconnected from the company’s brand.
UI Must Support UX
UI Must Support UX
UI Concepts Reduce Rework
UI Concepts Reduce Rework
What are UI Concepts ?
UI Concept
A UI concept is a visual exploration of how the software could look and feel.
It defines the visual direction before the team designs the complete product.
UI Concept
A UI concept is a visual exploration of how the software could look and feel.
It defines the visual direction before the team designs the complete product.
Explore Two Distinct Directions
Usually, two different UI concepts are created using selected key screens from the same software.
Both concepts should explore different visual possibilities.
Explore Two Distinct Directions
Usually, two different UI concepts are created using selected key screens from the same software.
Both concepts should explore different visual possibilities.
What UI Concepts Define
What UI Concepts Define
Not the Final Product
Not the Final Product
Same Brand, Different Directions
The two concepts may use different layouts, typography, visual styles, or component treatments.
But both should still feel like they belong to the same company.
Same Brand, Different Directions
The two concepts may use different layouts, typography, visual styles, or component treatments.
But both should still feel like they belong to the same company.
The Goal
The Goal
Where UI Concepts Fit in the Redesign Process
UI Concepts Connect UX Strategy With Final UI Design
Research and wireframes explain what the product should do.
UI concepts establish how that solution should look and feel.
UI Concepts Connect UX Strategy With Final UI Design
Research and wireframes explain what the product should do.
UI concepts establish how that solution should look and feel.
The Upslide UI Concept Framework
A Eight-Step Framework for Designing UI Concepts
A Eight-Step Framework for Designing UI Concepts
Step 1 Understand the Software
Understand Before You Design
To create a UI that supports the UX, stands out, and encourages product adoption, you first need to understand the software thoroughly.
Do not begin by selecting colours or visual references.
Understand Before You Design
To create a UI that supports the UX, stands out, and encourages product adoption, you first need to understand the software thoroughly.
Do not begin by selecting colours or visual references.
Review the Existing Context Through a UI Lens
Before entering the UI phase, review all the knowledge, research, and design decisions gathered so far.
Even when the same designer handles UX and UI this helps you see the complete product rather than individual screens in isolation.
Review the Existing Context Through a UI Lens
Before entering the UI phase, review all the knowledge, research, and design decisions gathered so far.
Even when the same designer handles UX and UI this helps you see the complete product rather than individual screens in isolation.
UX Decisions Must Remain Visible
The UI should strengthen the UX decisions already made in the wireframes.
It should not hide important actions, weaken hierarchy, or introduce visual complexity into a simplified workflow.
UX Decisions Must Remain Visible
The UI should strengthen the UX decisions already made in the wireframes.
It should not hide important actions, weaken hierarchy, or introduce visual complexity into a simplified workflow.
Step - 1 Takeaway
Strong Visual Directions Begin With Product Understanding
Exceptional UI concepts do not begin with decoration.
They begin by connecting product context, users, workflows, business goals, and visual opportunities.
Step - 1 Takeaway
Strong Visual Directions Begin With Product Understanding
Exceptional UI concepts do not begin with decoration.
They begin by connecting product context, users, workflows, business goals, and visual opportunities.