What tools and processes are used in UI/UX design projects?

Standard tools in a professional UI/UX design project include Figma for wireframing, component design, and prototyping; Maze or UserTesting.com for remote usability testing; Hotjar and Microsoft Clarity for behavioral analytics; and Miro or FigJam for collaborative journey mapping and workshop facilitation.

The process typically follows discovery (user research, competitive analysis, stakeholder interviews), information architecture (site mapping, content hierarchy), wireframing, visual UI design, interactive prototyping, usability testing, design system documentation, and developer handoff. Each phase produces specific deliverables that serve as the source of truth for the project. Skipping phases, particularly research and testing, is the primary reason UI/UX projects deliver outputs that underperform against business goals.