[leerob]

I disagree. The design definitely has something to do with their success. It isn't everything, but it has an impact. First and foremost, their products are easy to use. That's #1. But right after that is the design of their products. That's not just visual design, either. It's also the user experience. I think you're underestimating how much good design affects you subconsciously.

[jhowell]

For me, the documentation was a top selling point which included code and curl commands with your api key, ready to be copy and pasted if you were logged in.

[khaledtaha]

That's an example of great design.

[beaconstudios]

it's an example of great UX, of which good UI (design) is part.

[wastedhours]

Everyone has their own interpretation, but the predominant viewpoint is that "design" is the superset, with UI and UX both being subsets.

i.e. all UI is design, but not all of design is UI.

[beaconstudios]

good to know, I stand corrected - I wasn't aware of that viewpoint.

[wastedhours]

Yeah, if it's qualified with graphical design, then will fit under UI (usually). But the argument goes that a product is "designed" (i.e. a plan of how it works, looks, and interacts with other systems), and thus has a "design", encapsulating everything from purpose through to visual look and feel.

[phantom_package]

no, both ui and ux are a part of design.

[rokhayakebe]

+100: "curl commands with your api key, ready to be copy and pasted if you were logged in."

[kristianc]

That's design.

[WA]

But not the kind of design the article talks about.