User Experience (UX) design is evolving beyond traditional, single-app experiences, creating a broader ecosystem where users interact with multiple tools to achieve specific outcomes. As we look at new fields like TikTok content creation and 3D printing, it's clear that achieving success in these areas often requires several different apps working together. But is this shift towards multi-app workflows a challenge or a welcomed change for users? Let's explore.

UX in TikTok Creation

Creating a video for TikTok is no longer just about recording and uploading directly within the app. Instead, it involves a series of interconnected tools. You might begin by editing your video in Photoshop or GIMP, then shoot footage with Filmic Pro for better quality, and use CapCut or Adobe Premiere Rush for advanced editing. Finally, you wrap everything up in TikTok, where you add captions, and effects, and post the final product.

This multi-app workflow reflects a shift in UX: it's no longer about creating the best experience within a single app, but optimizing the overall process across different platforms. By having specialized tools for each part of the creative process, users can produce high-quality content. However, switching between multiple apps could introduce friction for some users, especially those less familiar with technology.

UX in 3D Printing

The process of creating a 3D print is another example where UX goes beyond a single app. Designing a 3D model begins with AI-powered tools like Runway or Deep Dream Generator, which convert images into 3D models. From there, apps like Blender or Meshmixer are used to clean up and refine the model before it's prepared for printing. Once ready, the model is sliced using Bambu Studio, the specific slicing software for Bamboo Labs 3D printers.

This approach allows users to take advantage of specialized software at each stage of the process, leading to higher-quality outcomes. However, similar to TikTok creation, the need to switch between multiple programs might overwhelm some users, especially if they’re not familiar with the tools required at each step.

Is This Multi-App Workflow a Problem?

As UX moves beyond the core app experience, users must decide whether the benefits of flexibility outweigh the complexity of managing multiple tools. On one hand, it can be overwhelming, especially for less tech-savvy users. On the other, it offers the opportunity to access highly specialized tools, leading to better outcomes—whether that's a polished TikTok video or a refined 3D model. As long as apps integrate well and maintain intuitive interfaces, users are likely to embrace this expanded approach to UX.