# User experience: what it is and how it works · Zorraquino
> User experience, or UX, brings together the perceptions and responses that arise from using or anticipating the use of a product, system or service.
URL: https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/user-experience.html

# User experience

User experience, or UX, brings together the perceptions and responses that arise from using or anticipating the use of a product, system or service

What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.

[The whole glossary](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary)

## What it is and how it works

It includes usefulness, ease, trust, accessibility and context. Designing it requires researching needs and evaluating real interactions. An attractive interface can contribute to the experience, but it does not make up for a person being unable to complete their task.

Also known as

UX

Topics

[Experience and service design](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/category/experiencia-y-diseno-de-servicios)

## Frequently asked questions about User experience

### How do you evaluate user experience before building the full product?

You can test relevant tasks with a prototype that represents the interactions needed for that decision. Observe whether people understand what to do, where they get stuck and how they recover from errors. The prototype should be realistic enough for the question being investigated, without reproducing the whole product. The conclusions are limited to what the test makes it possible to observe.

### Can an easy-to-use interface still deliver a poor user experience?

Yes. A person can complete an interaction without difficulty and discover that the product does not meet their need. Ease of use and usefulness are distinct dimensions that should be evaluated together. For example, in a hypothetical case, booking an appointment quickly is of little use if there is no option that suits the user's situation. The evaluation should include the goal, not just the steps.

### Does completing a task faster mean the user experience has improved?

Only if speed matters for that task and is not achieved at the expense of understanding, errors or loss of control. For an important decision, taking more time may be reasonable. Interpret time together with task success, observed difficulties and people's ratings. Comparing different tasks or contexts can lead to the wrong conclusions.

## Related concepts

- [User interface](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/user-interface.html)
- [Digital accessibility](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-accessibility)
- [UX audit](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/ux-audit)

## References

- [Usability 101: Introduction to Usability](https://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-101-introduction-to-usability/)