This probably falls under the "If you have to ask, then you obviously don't understand" category, but I've always wondered what the difference was between UX and layout. Or even if there is one. I'm guessing that layout is a subset of overall UX design, and that things like, say, AJAX (since I come from web development) wouldn't count towards layout, but would be considered when designing the overall UX.
Am I on the right track? Anything else to know or consider when it comes to the overall idea of what UX is and isn't?
Answer
User experience involves the entire workflow of a system. It includes how the pages are laid out, but it also includes things like how pages interact with each other.
It also includes aspects of the process that aren't inherently screens. For example, if you have an eCommerce system, user experience would also include how and when emails are sent out indicating that:
- you submitted an order
- the order was processed
- the order was shipped
- etc.
Things like customer service (even how people are treated on the phone if they call you) are also part of user experience. Although, admittedly, "offline" aspects like this are often not addressed by the user experience group on a project.
Basically, any touch point between the user and the system is part of the user experience and should be addressed accordingly. Like you said, the screen layout is just a small part of that.
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