UX/UI Design: The key to your project’s success

In today’s digital space, users expect products to be clear, fast, and easy to navigate. Whether it’s a SaaS platform, mobile app, or website, a clunky experience can turn people away in seconds. That’s where great UX/UI design makes all the difference, it’s what turns a good product into one people actually enjoy using.

With 4 years in the tech industry as a designer, working closely with digital product projects, I’ve seen how thoughtful design can solve real problems, guide users effortlessly, and leave them thinking, “This just feels right.”

But first, what do UX and UI designers actually do?

In order to understand the impact of UX/UI design, we need to start by understanding what it actually means, let's break it down:

UX (User Experience) designers are the strategists behind your product’s usability. They dive deep into user behavior, needs, and pain points to create a product structure that’s both functional and frictionless. Through user research, wireframes, prototypes, and usability testing, they ensure your product is intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable to use.

UI (User Interface) designers take the UX foundation and make it visually compelling. They craft the look and feel of your product—focusing on branding, consistency, and interactivity. Their goal? To make sure your product isn’t just usable, but also beautiful and emotionally resonant.

The importance of involving UX/UI designers early

When building any digital product, design is a huge part of the process. It’s not just about how things look, but how they work, how they guide users, and how they solve real problems from the very start. Bringing UX/UI designers at the start isn’t just smart, it’s cost-effective and strategic. Here’s why:

• User-Centered from Day One: Early UX involvement ensures the product is designed with real users in mind, reducing the risk of building something people don’t want or struggle to use.
• Cost Savings: It's far cheaper to identify and fix design flaws during the planning stage than after development has started.
• Stronger Product Outcomes: Thoughtful UX/UI leads to higher satisfaction, better engagement, and improved retention.
• Clarity and Direction: Designers help visualize your product early, aligning stakeholders and streamlining decision-making.

We can explain it better with an example: A food delivery app

Imagine you’re building a food delivery app. Without UX research, your ordering process might involve multiple confusing steps, frustrating users and increasing drop-offs.

But with a UX-focused approach, you'd uncover that users value speed and ease. You might simplify the flow to just a few taps and include features like saved addresses, saved payment methods or one-tap reordering, enhancing satisfaction and boosting conversions.

Now enter UI. Even the most efficient app can fall flat if it looks outdated or off-brand. Strong UI ensures your product stands out with a polished, engaging look that builds trust and reinforces your identity. Not to mention it also helps to the understanding of the whole site as one.

This scenario shows how UX and UI work hand in hand, affecting everything from user retention to overall product success.

Beyond screens: The everyday UX lesson

UX principles don’t just live inside wireframes or on sleek mobile apps, they’re all around us, shaping how we move through the world. One example is the picture below: people naturally gravitate toward the most efficient or convenient route, even if it contradicts the original design.

This so-called “desire path” is a perfect metaphor for user behavior. It shows us something simple but powerful: people will always choose what’s easiest, fastest, and most intuitive for them, even if it means ignoring the design that was originally intended.

And that’s the heart of great UX: observing real behavior, listening to what users actually do (not just what we hope they’ll do), and designing with that in mind. It’s not about forcing people into predefined flows, it’s about adapting to how they naturally think and act.

So whether you’re designing an app, a form, or a product journey, keep the “dirt path” in mind. The best solutions often come from watching where users go when no one’s telling them which way to walk.

What it takes to find great UX/UI talent

Hiring a top-notch UX/UI designer goes far beyond scrolling through flashy portfolios or judging who can create the most polished mockup. As a designer, I can tell you—what sets truly great UX/UI professionals apart is their ability to think holistically, balance user needs with business goals, and collaborate across disciplines.

Here’s what to actually look for:

• Empathy: The ability to step into the user’s shoes and design with their goals, frustrations, and expectations in mind.
• Problem-Solving: Great designers don’t just make things pretty; they turn real-world pain points into clear, effective user flows and interfaces.
• Technical Fluency: Understanding development constraints and knowing how to hand off designs that are both beautiful and buildable.
• Strong Communication: To explain design decisions, align with stakeholders, and work fluidly with PMs and devs.
• Visual Creativity: Consistent, accessible, and engaging design that reflects brand identity and elevates user experience.

From the inside, I can say this: finding someone who checks all these boxes isn’t easy. It takes a deep understanding of the UX/UI discipline and a hiring process that goes beyond aesthetics, one that digs into mindset, process, and how a designer thinks through a problem from start to finish.

Thaloz, the perfect partner

At Thaloz, we understand that great design plays a crucial role in your product’s success, and finding the right talent is essential. While we have deep expertise in UX/UI design, we also connect companies with a wide range of skilled professionals across tech disciplines to build the best possible teams.

Our approach goes beyond just matching resumes. We seek candidates who combine strong technical skills, user-centered thinking, and a collaborative mindset, qualities that truly elevate product development.

Here’s what makes us different:

• Diverse Talent Pool: Access to top professionals from LATAM and beyond, spanning design, development, and more.
• Domain Expertise: We know what exceptional UX/UI and tech talent looks like—and how to identify it.
• End-to-End Support: From sourcing and vetting to onboarding, we streamline the entire hiring process.
• Focus on Fit: We prioritize finding people who not only meet your technical needs but also align with your culture and long-term vision.

Whether you’re building out your UX/UI team or scaling your product development crew, Thaloz helps you find the right talent to create impactful, user-centered products.

Bringing it all together

From my experience as a designer, great products come from thoughtful design and the right team working together from day one. It’s not just about how things look, but about solving real problems and creating seamless experiences users love.

At Thaloz, we connect you with professionals who bring both skill and empathy, helping your product truly stand out. If you’re ready to elevate your user experience and build something meaningful, let’s make it happen!