# What happens in a UI/UX design project, step by step

> From research to handover: the stages of a UI/UX design project, what each one produces and how you can help it go well.

Web page: https://oravol.com/insights/ui-ux-design-process-step-by-step

## About this article

- **Published:** 4 October 2026
- **Topic:** Branding & Design
- **Publisher:** ORAVOL

## Key takeaways

- Good UX work starts with understanding users and goals, not with screens.
- Each stage produces something you can review: flows, wireframes, designs, a prototype.
- A clean handover to developers matters as much as the designs themselves.

## Article

UI (user interface) design is how a product looks; UX (user experience) design is how it works for the people using it. A good project handles both, in a sequence that turns assumptions into tested decisions.

### 1. Discovery

The project starts by understanding the business goal, the users and the constraints. Expect questions about who uses the product, what they are trying to do, what currently frustrates them and how success will be measured. Existing analytics, support requests and competitor products are all useful inputs.

### 2. Research

Depending on budget, research might include short interviews with users, reviewing how people use the current product, or a survey. The output is a clear picture of user needs, often summarised as a few user types and their main tasks.

### 3. Information architecture and flows

Next comes structure: what pages or screens exist, how they are organised and how users move between them to complete key tasks. This is where navigation is decided. Getting it right here is far cheaper than changing it after visual design.

### 4. Wireframes

Wireframes are simple layouts that show what goes on each screen and in what order, without colour or styling. They let everyone focus on content and function. This is the best moment for detailed feedback.

### 5. Visual design

With structure agreed, the designer applies the brand: typography, colour, imagery, spacing and components. Designs are usually produced for mobile and desktop, along with states such as errors, empty screens and loading.

### 6. Prototype and testing

A clickable prototype links the designs together so you can try the main tasks. Testing it with a few users catches confusing steps before any code is written.

### 7. Handover

Developers receive the final designs, a component library or design system, specifications for spacing and behaviour, and exported assets. A designer who stays available during development prevents small misunderstandings from becoming visible problems.

### How you can help

Make one person responsible for feedback, give access to real users where possible, and share your goals openly. Our [UI/UX design](https://oravol.com/services/ui-ux-design) projects follow these stages, scaled to the size of the product.

## Questions

### How long does a UI/UX project take?

It depends on scope. A focused website might take a few weeks; a complex app with several user types takes longer. Each stage is easier to estimate once research has defined the scope.

### Do I need user research if I know my customers well?

Your knowledge is a valuable input, but talking to a few real users usually reveals surprises. Even a handful of short interviews reduces guesswork.