So, you've realized the significance of UI/UX design in 2023, and you're probably wondering, "Should I hop onto this train?" Well, you've got every reason to become a UI/UX Designer! The average annual pay for a UI/UX Designer in the United States is $113,455 a year!
Furthermore, UI/UX is influencing user engagement, shaping our experiences, and deciding the future of digital products. User interfaces (UI) refer to the visual components of a website or app that you use, whereas UX covers your complete experience using a product, including your emotions while using it.
They both present tremendous opportunities, and as new technologies break onto the scene and user expectations shift, the demand for these skill sets is increasing (for obvious reasons), as businesses veer more and more in the direction of a user-centric approach. Not only will you be equipped with the necessary Design Thinking Principles, UI/UX tools, and Methodologies (Free Resource here), but you will also be opening the door to several career prospects.
Alright but where do I start?
That’s exactly why we prepared this list! Perhaps you're dabbling in the waters of UI/UX, ready to upgrade your skills, or even contemplating a career switch. There's a tailored course waiting for you out there. So, here are the hot tickets for 2023: The Best UI/UX design courses from credible providers. (We sorted them from beginner-friendly to advanced).
DesignLab’s UX Academy is an immersive online boot camp focusing on UX and UI design principles, which covers everything from user research and wireframing to prototyping, usability testing, and UI design. Courses are given by Top tier industry experts like Peter Javorkai, Product Designer at Adidas.
DesignLab pairs learners with experienced design mentors for personalized guidance and offers hands-on projects that mimic real-world challenges. It takes approximately 6 months, with a weekly commitment of 20 hours.
Pros
Cons
If you want a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to UX/UI design with personalized feedback from industry professionals, this is a great choice. The likes of Spotify and Target have hired graduates of this course!
Price. $7,249 if you pay upfront
Instructors. Experienced UX/UI designers from leading tech companies
Prerequisites. No prior experience in design is required
Level. Beginner to Intermediate
Certificate. Yes
Rating. 4.8⭐ on SwitchUp
Introduction to UX Design Course as the name suggests, is an 8-week UX/UI design program that introduces you to the foundational concepts of user experience design. The program includes user research, ideation, information architecture, wireframing, UI design, prototyping, testing, and portfolio development. The training is hands-on and learn-by-doing.
The course includes video and reading materials, and you put your knowledge to the test by completing assignments based on real-world UX/UI design. You will have learned the information and abilities needed to land a junior UX/UI designer job in a relatively short period of time after completing the course. Avocademy also provides a Design Masterclass with a UX writing course.
Pros
Cons
Payment plans are available, and you can meet with an industry expert for a complimentary 1-on-1 UX mentorship session to devise a strategy for changing jobs, learning the fundamentals, and obtaining their first UX role. Avocademy's mentors have a min 5+ years of experience as UX designers and will guide you throughout the entire UX/UI journey. This course may be a good fit if you're searching for a cheap, flexible introduction to UX design.
Price. $2997 one-time payment
Instructors. UX Professionals like Vanessa Osorio from Torticity
Prerequisites. None
Level. Beginner
Certificate. Yes
Rating. 4.8 ⭐ on CourseReport
Udacity, an online learning platform, provides a range of courses and programs in different fields like AI, data science, programming, cybersecurity, and business. They also happen to offer the UX Design Program, aimed at equipping you with the necessary skills to become a UX designer.
The Nanodegree program provides in-depth knowledge of UX Design, from user research and product strategy to wireframing and iterative design. Udacity's program is project-based and includes mentor support, career services, and real-world tasks that can contribute to a professional portfolio It takes approximately 3-4 months, with 10 hours of study per week.
Pros
Cons
If you're committed to a career change and want an intensive, comprehensive program with career support, Udacity's program could be a good fit. Each project is carefully reviewed by the Udacity reviewer network and platform, providing valuable feedback to help students improve their work. If a student doesn't pass a project, they have the opportunity to resubmit it until it meets the required standards. Access to the program is granted for a specific duration, and if a student doesn't graduate within that timeframe, they can continue their learning by making month-to-month payments.
Price. $1017 if you pay Upfront (Save 15%)
Instructors. Experts from titans like Google and Contextleap
Prerequisites. Basic Computer Skills
Level. Beginner to Intermediate.
Certificate. Yes
Rating. 4.7 ⭐ on CourseReport (5⭐ on OnlineCourseing)
Google Career Certificates are part of the “Flourish with Google” project, which builds on Google's 20-year legacy of developing products, platforms, and services that help people and organizations flourish. This Google course covers foundational skills in the UX design process, such as empathy and user-centered design, ideation and prototyping, testing, and iteration. Google develops the certificate program, and this gives it strong credibility.
While it is true you can become a designer at any stage of your career, this is the go-to UI/UX beginner course and your entry door. You’ll have the chance to work on hands-on projects that can be used to build a portfolio. This course offers a complete grounding in UX design principles. It also involves projects that simulate real-world UX design scenarios
Pros
Cons
The course is designed for novices and gives a clear path of progression, making it appropriate for anyone looking to enter the sector and expand their marketable skills. With a typical total duration of 6 months, it provides an excellent foundational learning experience that is enhanced with exclusive access to fast Q&A videos featuring Google specialists.
Price. $49 per month after the initial 7-day free trial period
Instructors. In-house Google instructors
Prerequisites. None
Level. Beginner
Certificate. Yes
Rating. 4.8⭐ on Coursera
Customized Learning Paths are a feature of LinkedIn Learning, which provides on-demand, video-based learning covering a wide range of software, technology, and business topics. Specific groups of learners might use these to customize their learning experience.
This learning path named “Exploring a Career in User Experience Design” (quite a mouthful) focuses on the basics of UX design and is geared towards those who are exploring UX as a potential career path. It offers a broad overview of UX fields and roles, giving students the chance to find their interest areas.
Pros
Cons
I actually took this course when I was starting out as a UI/UX Designer. The course offers several key highlights that make it a valuable resource. These include job-seeking advice and a comprehensive explanation of the various roles within the UX field. It is a compact and approachable introduction course with a total content duration of 9 hours.
Price. Included with LinkedIn Learning subscription (around $29.99/month)
Instructors. Industry professionals
Prerequisites. None
Level. Beginner
Certificate. Yes, with a LinkedIn Learning subscription
Rating. Unavailable
IBM's Design Thinking Course offers a thorough look at the field of UX design, focusing on the methodologies and tools used by professionals. The course is provided by IBM, a well-established tech company known for its dedication to user-centered design. It offers a mix of theoretical and practical learning.
Pros
Cons
The length of the course varies depending on the specific program. There are several compelling reasons to consider taking this course, including its comprehensive introduction to UX methodologies, and use of AI, providing participants with a solid foundation in the field.
Price. Free!
Instructors. IBM Industry Experts
Prerequisites. None
Level. Beginnerish
Certificate. Yes
Rating. Unavailable
CalArts UI/UX Design Specialization, focuses heavily on the creative aspects of UX and UI design. It teaches design principles as well as visual communication techniques. The best way to become a pro is to learn how to “steal” from world's best design systems. You will go over all stages of the UI/UX development process in this four-course sequence, from user research to establishing a project's strategy, scope, and information architecture, to generating sitemaps and wireframes.
Pros
Cons
Typically spanning a duration of approximately 4 to 6 months, it provides a comprehensive exploration of these elements. There are several compelling reasons to enroll in this course, particularly if you have a keen interest in developing your skills in the creative aspects of UI/UX, allowing you to create visually appealing and engaging user experiences.
Price. Free but Included with Coursera subscription (around $49/month)
Instructors. CalArts faculty (Michael Worthington, Roman Jaster)
Prerequisites. None
Level. Beginner to Intermediate
Certificate. Yes
Rating. 4.7⭐ on Coursera
Needless to say, Dribbble (which has been around since 2009) is the place where designers come together and grow their careers. This Dribbble Course focuses on product design with a UX perspective, including ideation, prototyping, and testing. It’s a more industry-focused program offering real-world skills. The 24-week course incorporates hands-on projects, allowing learners to apply their knowledge and skills in a practical manner.
Pros
Cons
Participants gain access to Dribbble's design community, which serves as a valuable resource for inspiration, networking, and exposure to industry professionals. It’s perfect for individuals seeking a more hands-on and project-based learning experience, from design industry leaders like Jesse Showalter.
Price. $8,000
Instructors. Industry professionals (Jesse Showalter, Helen Tran, Dan Mall)
Prerequisites. Some familiarity with design principles is beneficial
Level. Intermediate
Certificate. Yes
Rating. Unavailable
READ: Powerful Design Principles Used By World’s Most Product-Centric Companies
The CareerFoundry UX Design course is a comprehensive program that provides in-depth coverage of all aspects of UX design. What sets this course apart are its special features, which include one-on-one mentoring and a job guarantee, subject to certain conditions being met.
Meaning this project-based program not only teaches the fundamental skills and understanding of UX design but also promotes job placement, making it a one-of-a-kind and significant opportunity for aspiring professionals in the industry. I mean they’ve got some of their graduates to get hired by companies like Google, Apple, and Mercedes-Benz!
Pros
Cons
It provides a personal mentor who guides and supports learners throughout their educational journey, ensuring personalized attention and assistance. Additionally, the course comes with a job guarantee, instilling confidence in participants that they will have opportunities upon completion.
With a duration of 7 to 10 months, the course allows for comprehensive learning and skill development. One of the compelling reasons to enroll in this course is its robust curriculum, which they call a dual mentorship model and ensures that you get all the support you need. You’ll have both a tutor—an experienced UX designer responsible for evaluating your exercises.
Price. $7505 if you pay upfront
Instructors. Industry professionals
Prerequisites. None
Level. Intermediate to Advanced
Certificate. Yes
Rating. 4.5⭐ on Bootcamp Rankings
The UX/UI Design Bootcamp provides a rigorous, project-based curriculum with an emphasis on UX and UI design. Offers one-on-one matching (with a personal mentor who works in the industry) and career services assistance, such as resume evaluations and interview preparation.
Pros
Cons
The inclusion of real-world projects allows learners to apply their skills in practical scenarios, gaining hands-on experience. With a duration of 5 to 6 months, the course offers a structured timeline for acquiring knowledge and developing expertise in UX/UI design. One of the compelling reasons to enroll in this program is its comprehensive coverage of the subject matter, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the field.
Price. $14,823 if you pay upfront
Instructors. Top Industry Professionals
Prerequisites. None
Level. Advanced
Certificate. Of course, Yes
Rating. 4.5⭐ on Bootcamp Rankings
UX or User Experience design is the process of creating products, systems, or services that provide meaningful and relevant experiences to users, improving overall customer satisfaction. This involves the design of both the process of obtaining and integrating the product, including aspects of branding, design, usability, and function.
While some advanced courses may require a basic understanding of design principles or prior experience, most beginner UX design courses do not require any prerequisites. A general interest in understanding users and their needs is always beneficial.
The duration of a UX design course can vary widely depending on the depth of the material covered and the format of the course. A short introductory course might be completed in a few hours, whereas a comprehensive professional course could take several months to a year.
Upon completion of a UX design course, you could work in various roles like UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Information Architect, UX Researcher, or UX Analyst, among others. The demand for UX designers is high across many industries.
While having a basic understanding of technology can be helpful, it is not necessary to know to code or have a tech background to learn UX design. UX design focuses more on understanding user needs, designing effective interfaces, and creating great user experiences.
Yes, most UX design courses offer a certificate upon completion. The certification often depends on the completion of certain assignments or projects, and it can be a valuable addition to your professional portfolio.
Yes, many UX design courses incorporate practical projects which allow you to apply the skills you learn. These projects can become part of your portfolio, showcasing your abilities to potential employers or clients.
Also, read "Are Bootcamps Worth It?" here
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