From the article: "As important a role as design plays in the perception of and reaction to your content, people still argue that a user experience cannot truly be designed.
Of course, the user ultimately decides how they engage with any design.
If the goal of a design is to convert every single user into a customer, then failure is the only outcome.
We can, however, design an experience that connects immediately with a target audience, delivers information with a clear tone and purpose, and encourages a response."
This in the essence is what "UX" or "user experience" is all about.
This in-depth article from SmashingMagazine touches on some of the key aspects of creating effective user experiences by providing many visual examples and references.
Recommended. 8/10.