Explaining my work as a UX designer to my dad inspired this comparison, and I often find myself explaining my work to others in similarly relatable terms. When my dad, a civil engineer, asked me what I do as a UX designer, I was stumped. To my dad, my world of wireframes, prototypes, and user research seemed abstract and intangible. Then, inspiration struck: “Imagine you were building a house. You would’t start construction without understanding who will live there, right? In the same way, I design digital products to meet people’s needs.”
That analogy instantly clicked with him. Not only did it help me explain my work, but it also revealed a profound similarity between the process of constructing a house and designing a user experience. Both involve carefully planned phases, collaboration between experts, and a balance of creativity and technical precision.
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In this article, I’ll take you through the UX design process step by step and compare it to the phases of constructing a house. Whether you’re a UX designer, engineer, or someone who is curious about the behind-the-scenes of digital and physical creations, this comparison can give you a fresh perspective on how thoughtful design can improve people’s lives.
In product development, we can compare the UX design process to constructing a house because both involve a series of structured phases whose aim is creating something that is functional, aesthetically pleasing, and tailored to people’s specific needs. Figure 1 shows a detailed comparison.
Figure 1—Comparing the UX design process to constructing a house
1. Discovery Phase: Planning the House
Before someone builds a house or designs a digital product, they need to understand the problem they’re solving. During the Discovery phase, research lays the foundation for everything that follows.
In UX Design
The Discovery phase involves uncovering users’ needs, business goals, and market opportunities. This is when you’ll conduct stakeholder interviews, user research, and competitive analysis. The goal is to identify users’ painpoints and opportunities for innovation.
For example, during a recent project, my team interviewed parents about their challenges with managing family schedules. We discovered that many struggled to coordinate between multiple apps, which informed our decision to design an all-in-one solution.
In Construction
The equivalent is planning a house. Architects and engineers collaborate with clients to determine the purpose of the building—whether it’s a family home, an office space, or a rental property. Site surveys and feasibility studies assess the environment and constraints.
For example, a family planning a multigenerational home might need extra bedrooms and wheelchair accessibility. Without this Discovery phase, the house might not serve its purpose effectively.
Key Questions
UX—Who are the users? What are their goals and painpoints?
Construction—Who will live in the house? What are their needs, and what’s the budget?
2. Define Phase: Designing the Blueprint
Once research is complete, during analysis, you need to synthesize your findings, then create a clear plan.
In UX Design
You’ll translate your insights into user personas, journey maps, and feature requirements. Wireframes and low-fidelity prototypes act as blueprints for how the product should function.
For example, for an ecommerce platform, one persona might be “Sara, a busy mom who needs a quick, seamless shopping experience.” This persona informs design decisions such as simplifying navigation and creating a one-click checkout.
In Construction
Similarly, architects create blueprints based on their client’s needs. These plans detail the layout, materials, and structural elements of the house.
For example, for a house being built in a coastal area, the architect might prioritize materials that withstand humidity and high winds.
Key Outputs
UX—Personas, wireframes, and user flows
Construction—Floor plans, structural diagrams, and materials specifications
3. Design Phase: Building the Foundation and Structure
This is where design ideas start to take shape. In both UX and construction, it’s about creating a solid foundation.
In UX Design
UX designers create detailed mockups and interactive prototypes. They test and refine every detail, including colors, typography, and user interactions. Usability testing ensures that the design aligns with users’ expectations.
For example, when designing a fitness app, user feedback revealed that a bright red Start Workout button felt intimidating. Changing it to green increased user engagement.
In Construction
Once the foundation is laid, the structure gets built. This phase focuses on structural integrity, ensuring that the house is safe and durable.
For example, skipping steps during this phase or using substandard materials could lead to issues such as cracks in the foundation, just as skipping usability testing can lead to a poor user experience.
4. Development Phase: Interior Work
With the structure in place, the focus shifts to the finer details that make a product or house functional and livable.
In UX Design
Developers bring the design to life by coding the frontend and backend. They integrate the product’s features and test the product for performance and scalability.
For example, adding features to an app such as personalized recommendations requires backend algorithms and a seamless frontend design.
In Construction
This is when electricians, plumbers, carpenters, painters, and others step in. They paint the walls, install the fixtures, and add the aesthetically pleasing finishing touches that make the house comfortable.
For example, choosing the right lighting fixtures or cabinet styles can transform the atmosphere of a home, much like thoughtful microinteractions enhance a digital product.
5. Testing Phase: Final Inspection
Before launch, rigorous testing ensures that everything is ready for use.
In UX Design
Usability testing, implementing bug fixes, and quality assurance are critical. Accessibility checks ensure that the product is inclusive.
For example, during usability testing, users might struggle to find a feature, prompting the designers to rethink its placement.
In Construction
A final inspection checks the house for compliance with building codes and ensures it’s safe and fully functional.
For example, inspectors might check whether plumbing systems are leak free or fire-safety measures are in place.
6. Launch Phase: Moving In
The final phase is about handing over the finished product to the users or inhabitants.
In UX Design
Once the product launches, the work doesn’t end. Feedback from real users informs updates and improvements.
For example, post-launch analytics might reveal that users spend too much time on a specific task, leading to iterative design improvements.
In Construction
The house is ready for occupancy. Over time, residents might request modifications or renovations to better suit their evolving needs.
For example, a family might add a home office as remote work becomes more common.
Key Takeaway
Whether you’re designing a product or building a house, the process is rooted in understanding people and solving their problems. Both processes require meticulous planning, collaboration, and iteration to create something functional and beautiful that is tailored to their specific needs.
The next time you use an app or step into a well-designed home, remember: behind every seamless experience is a thoughtful process and the outcome depends on building it step by step with the end user in mind.
Senior User Experience Designer at HCL Technologies Ltd.
Bangaluru, Karnataka, India
Saranya is a passionate UX designer who holds a master’s degree in visual communication and focuses on solving complex challenges through design thinking and UX research. She specializes in enhancing products, services, and spaces across digital and physical platforms, including desktop, mobile, cloud, Web, and voice user interfaces. As the founder of Saraskrti, a platform whose roots are in India’s traditional art and culture, Saranya combines her love for heritage with her creative vision to bring a unique perspective to design. Driven by energy and curiosity, Saranya crafts user-centered solutions that create meaningful impact. Read More
