Interior Design vs Ux Design

Jun 5, 2024 4 min

Interior design or UX design - students often have difficulty deciding which career path to choose due to their similarities. In this blog, we will explain the details of both fields.

Interior design is a popular career path that has been around for quite some time. However, UX design is a more recent field. Both have their fair share of similarities and differences, with a growth potential. The interior design market is expected to reach $211.29 billion by 2032, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50%. The UX design industry, on the other hand, is forecast to hit $20,058 million by 2028, with a steady growth rate of 16.24% from 2021 to 2028.

Interior design vs UX design: Know the basics

Interior design is about creating beautiful and functional interior spaces. It combines artistry, science, and strategic planning to develop solutions that complement a space's design and meet individual needs.

In contrast, user experience (UX) design focuses on improving the connection between a product and its user. It aims to make products enjoyable and meet user needs without hampering the overall product experience.

What’s common between interior design and UX design?

1. User-Centric Approach

The goal of both interior and UX designers is to put the needs and experiences of the consumers first.
Whether creating a comfortable living space or designing a user-friendly app, both focus on enhancing consumer satisfaction.

2. Focus on functionality

Interior designers arrange and organize spaces in a user-friendly way—from furniture to wall decor, everything is planned.
UX designers have a similar goal: ensuring that app and website functions are easy to understand and use. Although the goals are similar, the mediums are different.

Both interior designers and UX designers closely monitor how users move through a space or interface.
The interior design considers how people move around a space. On the other hand, UX design involves ensuring that users find their way around apps and websites easily.

4. Testing models

Both interior designers and UX designers test models/samples (prototyping) to make their creations better.
Interior designers make mockups or 3D models to see how rooms will look. Meanwhile, UX designers use wireframes and prototypes to test and improve digital experiences.

5. Use of technology

Technology adds elements like smart home gadgets and interactive features to interior design.
Likewise, UX design ensures websites and apps work smoothly across screens and devices.

Interior design vs UX design: How do they differ?

1. Physical vs digital environment

The most striking difference is the medium each field works with. Interior design involves physical spaces like homes, offices, and retail stores.
However, UX design focuses on digital interfaces like websites, mobile apps, and software platforms.

2. Scope of interaction

Interior design involves people interacting with real spaces, such as arranging furniture and choosing lights and materials.
UX design concerns how people interact with digital media, such as websites and apps, navigating interfaces, seeing information, and using buttons.

3. Regulatory and industry standards

Interior designers follow specific safety and construction measures, ensuring spaces are practical and accessible.
UX designers create websites and apps and follow guidelines to make them user-friendly. They ensure text is readable, buttons are easy to click, and the layout is simple. They might also follow rules from groups like the W3C or Apple to ensure their designs work well across devices.

4. Permanence and flexibility

Interior design often involves creating semi-permanent or permanent spaces that may undergo occasional renovations or upgrades. This means there will be noteworthy physical changes from time to time.
In contrast, UX design typically involves creating digital products that can be easily updated and improved without significant physical changes.

5. Physical vs digital constraints

Interior designers must consider the obvious physical restrictions. This means they must understand that there are limits to how things can be built and how much space there is.
On the other hand, UX designers have to face digital limitations, such as screen sizes, the capability of each device, and technical limitations of software.

Interior design or UX design? Choosing between the two

While we know that picking between two similar fields can be tricky, this blog will help you figure out the similarities and differences between the two and narrow down a choice.

You can take the first step towards establishing a career in the field of your choice with the ITM Institute of Design and Media. Whether you’re looking for a Bachelor’s in Interior Design or a Bachelor’s in UX Design, all ITM Institute of Design and Media programs are tailored to the latest industry standards, preparing you for a thriving career in design.

Visit the ITM Institute of Design and Media to learn more!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does interior design have scope?

Interior design covers a wide range of areas beyond furniture and home goods. It includes visual presentation, lighting design, aesthetics, and even transportation design. There’s ample scope for designers to specialize in this field.

2. Will interior design be replaced by AI?

While AI has the potential to significantly impact these fields, it's unlikely that it will entirely replace architects and interior designers. Instead, AI is likely to boost their efficiency.

3. Is UX design like coding?

While coding skills are not required to become a UX/UI designer, knowing coding can be an advantage in this career.

4. Is UX design hard to study?

Every field has its fair share of challenges. However, if you are interested in designing and tech, UX design could be one of the best career paths for you.