
UX Glossary
Our glossary is your go-to reference for essential terms across User Experience, Frontend & Backend Development, Digital Strategy, Branding, AI, and Innovation. Whether you’re a designer, developer, strategist, or product owner, this curated index helps you navigate complex topics with clarity and depth.
Explore key concepts, stay aligned with best practices, and deepen your understanding of the vocabulary shaping today’s digital experience landscape.
Digital Innovation
- Digital Transformation: Integrating digital technology into all business areas to enhance operations and value delivery.
- Agile Methodology: An iterative approach to project management and software development promoting flexibility and customer feedback.
- Minimum Viable Product (MVP): A product with the minimum features necessary to satisfy early adopters and gather feedback.
- Disruptive Innovation: Innovations that create new markets and value networks, eventually disrupting existing ones.
- Open Innovation: A model that encourages collaboration with external partners to drive innovation.Really Good Innovation
- Cloud Computing: Delivering computing services over the internet to offer faster innovation and flexible resources.am.jpmorgan.com+15Financial Times+15tapajyoti-bose.medium.com+15
- Internet of Things (IoT): A network of interconnected devices that collect and exchange data.
- Big Data: Extremely large data sets analyzed computationally to reveal patterns and trends.Financial Times
- Blockchain: A decentralized ledger of all transactions across a peer-to-peer network.DEV Community
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): Simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.Oneupweb+1Workamajig+1
- Machine Learning (ML): A subset of AI that allows systems to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed.
- Digital Twin: A virtual replica of a physical entity used for simulation and analysis.
- 5G Technology: The fifth generation of mobile network technology offering faster speeds and more reliable connections.
- Edge Computing: Processing data near the source of data generation to reduce latency.
- Cybersecurity: Protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks.
- DevOps: A set of practices combining software development and IT operations to shorten the development lifecycle.
- Digital Ecosystem: A complex network of interconnected digital entities and services.LinkedIn+16Schwab Brokerage+16Börsenspiel+16
- Smart Technology: Devices that use AI and ML to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
- Digital Disruption: Changes caused by digital technologies that alter the value proposition of existing goods and services.volweb.utk.edu+19FAOHome+19Coursera+19
- Innovation Lab: A dedicated space for experimenting with new ideas and technologies.
- Digital Strategy: A plan that outlines how a business will use digital technologies to achieve goals.
- User-Centered Design: Designing products with a primary focus on the needs and preferences of the end-user.
- Digital Literacy: The ability to effectively and critically navigate, evaluate, and create information using digital technologies.
- Innovation Management: The process of managing ideas from inception to implementation.
- Digital Maturity: The extent to which an organization has adapted to digital technologies.
User Experience (UX)
- User Experience (UX): The overall experience a user has when interacting with a product or service.expert.ai+40volweb.utk.edu+40DEV Community+40
- User Interface (UI): The point of interaction between the user and a digital device or product.
- Wireframe: A basic visual guide used to suggest the layout of fundamental elements in a web interface.
- Prototype: An early sample or model built to test a concept or process.
- Usability Testing: Evaluating a product by testing it with representative users.
- Information Architecture (IA): Organizing and structuring content in a meaningful and accessible way.
- Persona: A fictional character created to represent a user type.
- User Journey Map: A visual representation of the process a user goes through to achieve a goal.
- Accessibility (A11y): Designing products usable by people with various disabilities.
- Responsive Design: An approach to web design that makes web pages render well on various devices.
- Interaction Design (IxD): Designing interactive digital products and services.
- Heuristic Evaluation: A usability inspection method for identifying usability problems.
- Cognitive Load: The total amount of mental effort being used in working memory.
- Call to Action (CTA): A prompt on a website that tells the user to take some specified action.
- A/B Testing: Comparing two versions of a webpage to see which performs better.CareerFoundry
- Fitts’s Law: A predictive model of human movement primarily used in human-computer interaction.
- Gestalt Principles: Psychological principles that explain how humans perceive visual elements.
- Microinteractions: Contained product moments that revolve around a single use case.
- User Flow: The path taken by a user on a website or app to complete a task.
- Skeuomorphism: Design concept of making items represented resemble their real-world counterparts.
- Flat Design: A minimalist design approach that emphasizes usability.
- Design System: A collection of reusable
Frontend Development
- HTML – The standard markup language used to create and structure content on the web.
- CSS – Stylesheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in HTML.
- JavaScript – A programming language that enables interactive web features and dynamic content.
- React – A JavaScript library for building user interfaces using components.
- Vue.js – A progressive JavaScript framework for building user interfaces.
- Angular – A TypeScript-based web application framework developed by Google.
- SASS – A CSS preprocessor that adds power and elegance to the basic language.
- Tailwind CSS – A utility-first CSS framework for rapid UI development.
- Bootstrap – A front-end framework for developing responsive and mobile-first websites.
- Web Components – A suite of technologies allowing you to create reusable custom elements.
- DOM (Document Object Model) – An interface for HTML and XML documents that defines the logical structure.
- Responsive Design – Design that adapts layout to various screen sizes and devices.
- Media Queries – CSS technique used to apply styles based on device characteristics.
- Flexbox – CSS layout module for distributing space along a single row or column.
- Grid Layout – CSS Grid Layout: a 2D system for layout control on the web.
- Webpack – A module bundler for modern JavaScript applications.
- Babel – A JavaScript compiler that allows you to use next-gen JS features in older environments.
- TypeScript – A superset of JavaScript that adds static typing.
- ES6 – The 6th edition of ECMAScript, introducing major improvements to JavaScript.
- Lighthouse – Google tool for auditing performance, accessibility, and SEO.
- ARIA – Accessible Rich Internet Applications – attributes that improve accessibility.
- Canvas – An HTML element used to draw graphics via JavaScript.
- SVG – Scalable Vector Graphics — XML-based vector image format for the web.
- Service Worker – Script that runs in the background to enable offline functionality.
- PWA (Progressive Web App) – Web apps that use modern capabilities to deliver app-like experiences.
Backend Development
- Node.js – JavaScript runtime built on Chrome’s V8 engine, used for backend services.
- Express.js – Minimalist web framework for Node.js, ideal for building APIs.
- Django – A high-level Python web framework that promotes rapid development.
- Flask – A micro web framework for Python, lightweight and flexible.
- Ruby on Rails – A server-side web application framework written in Ruby.
- PHP – A server scripting language used to create dynamic web pages.
- Laravel – A PHP framework for elegant, secure, and scalable web applications.
- REST API – An architectural style using HTTP methods to access web resources.
- GraphQL – A flexible query language for APIs, allowing precise data requests.
- JWT (JSON Web Token) – A compact and secure way to transmit information between parties.
- OAuth – An open standard for secure access delegation and token-based authentication.
- SQL – A language used to query and manage relational databases.
- PostgreSQL – Open-source relational database known for its robustness and scalability.
- MongoDB – A NoSQL document database built for speed and flexibility.
- Redis – In-memory data store used as a database, cache, and message broker.
- Docker – Tool for creating, deploying, and running applications in containers.
- Kubernetes – Open-source platform for managing containerized workloads and services.
- Nginx – A high-performance web server, load balancer, and reverse proxy.
- Apache – A widely-used open-source web server software.
- CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Deployment) – Automates code testing, building, and deployment.
- Load Balancer – Distributes incoming traffic across multiple servers for scalability.
- Caching – Temporary storage of data to reduce latency and server load.
- ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) – Maps objects in code to database tables.
- MVC (Model-View-Controller) – A design pattern that separates logic, UI, and data.
- Serverless Architecture – A cloud computing model where the provider manages server infrastructure.
Branding
- Brand Identity – The visual and verbal expression of a brand, including logo, typography, color, and tone.
- Brand Strategy – A long-term plan for the development of a brand to achieve specific goals.
- Brand Positioning – How a brand is perceived in the context of the market and in the minds of consumers.
- Brand Equity – The value of a brand based on consumer perception, recognition, and loyalty.
- Brand Voice – The consistent expression of a brand’s personality through words and tone.
- Rebranding – The process of changing the corporate image, including name, logo, or messaging.
- Brand Guidelines – A set of rules defining how a brand is visually and verbally represented.
- Visual Identity – The graphic elements that represent a brand, including logos, icons, and imagery.
- Emotional Branding – Connecting with customers on a deep emotional level to build loyalty.
- Brand Touchpoints – All interactions where consumers experience your brand (ads, website, packaging, etc.).
- Brand Loyalty – When customers consistently prefer and choose your brand over competitors.
- Co-Branding – A marketing partnership between two brands for mutual benefit.
- Personal Branding – Building a reputation or identity for an individual rather than a company.
- Brand Recall – A customer’s ability to remember a brand when prompted by a product category.
- Brand Recognition – The extent to which consumers can identify your brand by visual or verbal cues.
- Brand Architecture – The organizational structure of multiple brands within a company.
- Brand Extension – Using an existing brand name to launch new products in a different category.
- Brand Storytelling – Using narrative techniques to communicate the essence and values of a brand.
- Logo System – A flexible, scalable design system that includes logo variations for multiple uses.
- Tagline – A short, catchy phrase that encapsulates the brand’s message or mission.
- Brand Awareness – How familiar your target audience is with your brand.
- Sonic Branding – Using audio elements to reinforce brand identity (e.g., startup sounds).
- Brand Audit – A comprehensive evaluation of a brand’s performance, presence, and perception.
- Typography System – A selection of fonts and usage rules that maintain visual brand consistency.
- Packaging Design – The way product packaging supports brand values and user experience.
Marketing
- Content Marketing – Creating valuable, relevant content to attract and retain customers.
- Inbound Marketing – Attracting users through helpful content rather than traditional ads.
- Outbound Marketing – Pushing a marketing message to a broad audience through direct methods.
- Email Marketing – Using email campaigns to engage users and nurture leads.
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Optimizing content to rank higher in search engines.
- SEM (Search Engine Marketing) – Paid strategies to increase visibility on search engines.
- CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization) – Improving the percentage of users who complete a desired action.
- Lead Generation – The process of attracting and converting prospects into potential customers.
- Funnel Marketing – Mapping the user journey from awareness to conversion.
- Persona Development – Crafting fictional characters based on real data to guide marketing efforts.
- Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) – The total worth of a customer over the entire relationship.
- Marketing Automation – Using software to automate repetitive marketing tasks.
- Social Proof – Using testimonials, reviews, and user-generated content to build trust.
- Retargeting – Re-engaging users who visited your site but didn’t convert.
- KPI (Key Performance Indicator) – A measurable value that shows how effectively objectives are being achieved.
- Analytics – Collecting and analyzing data to inform marketing decisions.
- A/B Testing – Comparing two versions of an asset to see which performs better.
- Affiliate Marketing – A performance-based strategy where affiliates earn commission for promoting products.
- Influencer Marketing – Partnering with individuals who have a strong online presence to promote your brand.
- Brand Awareness Campaign – A strategy aimed at making more people aware of your brand.
- Native Advertising – Ads that match the look and feel of the platform they’re on.
- Guerrilla Marketing – Unconventional tactics intended to get maximum exposure for minimal cost.
- Paid Media – Advertising space purchased across digital and traditional channels.
- Owned Media – Content and platforms directly controlled by the brand (e.g., blog, email list).
- Earned Media – Unpaid exposure gained through PR, word-of-mouth, or organic sharing.
Stock Market
- Stock – A share in the ownership of a company and a claim on part of its assets and earnings.
- Shareholder – An individual or entity that owns shares in a company.
- Dividend – A payment made by a corporation to its shareholders, usually in cash or shares.
- IPO (Initial Public Offering) – The process of offering shares of a private company to the public.
- Bull Market – A financial market in which prices are rising or are expected to rise.
- Bear Market – A market in which prices are falling, encouraging selling.
- Index (e.g., S&P 500) – A statistical measure of changes in a portfolio of stocks.
- Blue Chip Stock – A large, well-established, financially sound company stock.
- P/E Ratio (Price/Earnings) – A valuation metric comparing share price to earnings per share.
- Market Capitalization – The total value of a company’s outstanding shares.
- Volume – The number of shares traded during a given time period.
- Volatility – The degree of variation in a trading price over time.
- Day Trading – Buying and selling securities within the same trading day.
- Dividend Yield – A financial ratio that shows how much a company pays in dividends each year.
- Short Selling – Selling borrowed stock with the intent of buying it back later at a lower price.
- ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) – A type of investment fund traded on stock exchanges.
- Bond – A fixed income instrument representing a loan made by an investor to a borrower.
- Mutual Fund – An investment vehicle pooling funds from investors to buy a diversified portfolio.
- Portfolio – A collection of investments owned by an individual or organization.
- Hedge Fund – An aggressively managed portfolio using advanced strategies to maximize returns.
- Earnings Report – A company’s official statement of its profitability for a period.
- Ticker Symbol – A unique series of letters representing a traded stock.
- Securities – Financial instruments representing value, like stocks and bonds.
- Capital Gain – The profit from the sale of an asset or investment.
- Trading Volume – Total number of shares or contracts traded for a security.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) – The simulation of human intelligence by machines and software.
- Machine Learning (ML) – A subset of AI that allows systems to learn from data and improve over time.
- Deep Learning – A type of ML using neural networks with many layers.
- Neural Network – Algorithms modeled after the human brain that recognize patterns and solve problems.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) – Enables machines to understand and process human language.
- Computer Vision – A field of AI that teaches machines to interpret and analyze visual data.
- Generative AI – AI that creates new content such as text, images, or music based on training data.
- Supervised Learning – ML where the model is trained on labeled data.
- Unsupervised Learning – ML where the model finds patterns in data without labels.
- Reinforcement Learning – Training algorithms through rewards and penalties.
- AI Ethics – The moral implications and responsibilities involved in AI design and use.
- Bias in AI – Systematic errors due to flawed training data or models.
- Turing Test – A test to determine whether a machine can exhibit human-like intelligence.
- Algorithm – A process or set of rules followed by a computer in problem-solving.
- Model Training – The process of teaching an AI system how to make predictions based on data.
- Prediction Model – An AI system that uses input data to predict future outcomes.
- Data Labeling – Annotating data so machines can learn from it more effectively.
- Explainable AI (XAI) – AI systems that provide human-understandable justifications for decisions.
- AI Agent – An autonomous system that observes and acts upon an environment.
- Speech Recognition – AI that can identify and process spoken language.
- Transformer Model – A type of deep learning model used in NLP (e.g., GPT).
- Chatbot – An AI-driven program that simulates human conversation.
- Prompt Engineering – Crafting effective input prompts to elicit useful AI responses.
- Semantic Search – Search that understands context and meaning rather than exact match.
- Edge AI – Running AI models locally on devices instead of the cloud, for speed and privacy.