The invention of the computer and GUI transformed the landscape of electronic communication. Whereas previous interactions were solely text-based, primary interactions in digital spaces became visual. Analogous tools started to make their way into computers, and the creative potential of these machines attracted many artists and designers. The seemingly infinite opportunities that these machine offered ultimately became a means of expression for many creatives.

As these tools evolved, however, they were primarily geared toward productivity, with early design work relying on traditional print principles. The term “user-friendly” was still unheard of, but a few designers began to explore ways to enhance interaction. Desktop publishing and the rise of the Macintosh made designing faster and more versatile, making the Macintosh the go-to tool for professionals and non-professionals as it changed the patterns of production dependency.

This consideration for user interaction and usability is an example of the very necessary shift from web design to user experience design. Pure aesthetics or compiling type and visuals together a screen can make the user’s actions towards a goal equally as drawn-out if not more difficult. Thus the necessity for researching and learning about the user’s experience not only positively affects the user, but, from a business standpoint, differentiates your product from its competitors.