Understanding UX Today
UX design, or user experience design, is all about creating applications, SaaS platforms, and interfaces that truly meet users’ needs… and not just making things pretty (although, let’s be honest, that does matter a little ;)).
My work is about understanding what users are trying to achieve, the obstacles that frustrate them, and the levers we can use to create smooth, simple, and enjoyable journeys.
Because let’s face it, nobody wants to feel held hostage by an endless form.
UX vs UI: Two Complementary Disciplines
People often confuse UX and UI, but their roles are quite different:
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UX (User Experience): understanding user needs, structuring user flows, and optimizing processes.
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UI (User Interface): bringing those flows to life through visual choices: colours, typography, hierarchy, and micro-interactions.
In SaaS and complex applications, UX and UI work hand in hand: one designs the architecture of the experience, the other makes it visible and usable. Kind of like a dance duo… except, sometimes, yes, we do step on each other’s toes! 🙂
Beyond Websites: UX Touches Platforms
Today, UX goes far beyond websites. We work on:
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SaaS applications (CRM, management platforms, analytics tools).
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Native and hybrid mobile apps.
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Complex dashboards for both administrators and end-users.
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Multi-device experiences: from web to mobile, integrating APIs and third-party modules.
In short, if it has a screen, buttons, menus, and users… chances are, someone needs UX.
The Role of a UX Designer in Complex Applications
In the past, I’ve worked on showcase websites, e-commerce stores, and member spaces. But today, my day-to-day focuses on SaaS platforms, transactional web applications, and multi-user dashboards.
When it comes to features, we’re a long way from a simple landing page:
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Managing nested workflows: validation, approvals, payments, and data synchronization.
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Designing for diverse user profiles: customers, administrators, partners, and internal teams.
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Optimizing hierarchical navigation in dense, content-rich environments.
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Reducing friction in critical processes: onboarding, transactions, and compliance checks.
In short: I translate complex journeys into simple experiences. Because if a user needs to click ten times to complete a single action… that’s already nine clicks too many.
How to Improve a SaaS Experience
Take the example of a multi-stakeholder platform, like the ones I often work on:
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Before the experience: understanding needs, usage scenarios, and business objectives.
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During the experience: identifying friction points, testing prototypes, optimizing user flows.
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After the experience: measuring results, analyzing behaviours, iterating to improve retention and adoption.
Each step relies on a solid UX methodology: user research, co-design workshops, prototyping, usability testing, and data analysis.
And no, asking your colleague if the button looks “nice” does not count as usability testing ;).
That said, I love working in pairs whenever possible! When tackling complex business processes, two brains are definitely better than one.
In a Nutshell
UX design isn’t just about making an interface look “pleasant”. It’s about understanding behaviours, optimizing processes, and designing experiences that create real value.
In practice, we ask ourselves questions like:
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Why aren’t users activating their accounts?
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Why are they abandoning their carts or transactions?
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Which features are causing the most confusion?
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How can we simplify critical processes without losing control?
A well-designed UX is an investment: it builds trust, boosts conversion, improves retention… and yes, it even improves your mood while using the platform ;).
Coming Up Next
In an upcoming article, I’ll share the research and design methods I use to analyze, test, and optimize user journeys for complex SaaS platforms. No unnecessary jargon — promise!
