Module 1: Introduction to UX Design

This module will give you a strong, foundational understanding of the user experience (UX) design process.  You'll learn that UX design is a problem-solving discipline focused on building products that solve problems for the user.  

You will learn:

• What the user experience (UX) design is and why it is essential for designing products users love. 
• What happens at each stage of the UX process and the importance of each step. 
• The importance of understanding the user's contexts, goals, and behaviors when designing a digital product or service.  
• How to communicate the value of UX to other business stakeholders. 
• Important concepts within UX, such as agile development, mental models, the paradox of specificity, and prototyping. 

Module 2: User Research

This module will help you to see research as the key ingrediant underpinning UX Design.  You'll learn about a range of research techniques and methods, including usability testing, interviewing, card sorting, online surveys, A/B testing, and heuristic evaluation. 

You will learn:

• The importance of research in the UX process.
• How to distinguish between different types of research, for example qualitative vs. quantitative, and observational vs. attitudinal research. 
• What research bias is and how to remain impartial as a user researcher. 
• How to carry out your own usability tests and take effective notes. 
• How to conduct other research methods, including online surveys, card sorting, A/B testing, and depth interviews. 

Module 3: Analysis Techniques

You'll understand the need to analyze the research data that you gather.  You'll look at a number of frameworks and techniques that will help you make sense of raw, unstructured data. 

You will learn:

• Triangulation and the benefits of this approach.
• How to use affinity diagrams to analyze unstructured data and uncover insights. 
• How to create customer journey maps to visually represent a user's experience. 
• The benefits and pitfalls of user personas, and how to create accurate personas to represent your audience. 
• How to prepare a customer value curve to assess how your product performs compared to competitors. 
• How to use empathy maps to visualize what your users say, think, feel, as well as their behaviors and goals. 

Module 4: Structure and Navigation

In this module, you'll learn how to define a clear structure and information architecture for your software.  This in turn will help you to design intuitive navigation and a smooth flow for your users. 

You will learn:

• How information architechture determines the way a website or app is structured and helps users achieve their goals.
• That user flows map how users move through a website or app.
• How to create a flow diagram, to map out each user interaction and screen state.
• How to use navigation patterns effectively to guide users through a website or app, improving their experience. 

Module 5: Interactions

This module will teach you the components of an interaction and how these components - controls, rules, and feeback - facilitate an interaction. 

You will learn:

• How users engage with software through a series of interactions and micro-interactions. 
• The role of controls in helping users determine how they will engage with a digital product. 
• How to apply interface elements such as tabs, radio buttons, and check boxes as part of your designs. 
• The importance of rules for defining how the user interface will work. 
• The concept of feedback and how it guides users on what to do next. 
• The benefits of sketching to visualize and develop your design ideas.

Module 6: Design Principles

This module will enable you to harness the power of design principles to create high-quality software.  Design principles are proven guidelines and rules for effective design.  You'll learn why using design principles as reference points will increase the probability that your designs and software will be successful. 

You will learn:

• The importance of design principles such as affordances, conventions, feedback, constraints, and forgiveness.
• The theory of Hick's Law and how it can be applied to the design of user interfaces.
• The concept of progressive disclosure and the benefits of this approach when presenting information to users. 
• The theory of Fitts Law and how it can be applied to the design of user interfaces. 

Module 7: Design Patterns

In this module, you'll be introduced to the concept of design patterns, which are reusable solutions to common problems in software.  By using these common sollutions, you can ensure that your designs are more perceivable and predictable for your users. 

You will learn:

• How chunking, alignment, and visual hierarchy can help users understand information more quickly and accurately.  
• How to help guide users through a digital interface with progress indicators and smart defaults. 
• How a 'call to action' is used to guide a user toward completing a particular task or behavior. 
• How to help and support users to progress through their flow with error handling and inline validation. 

Module 8: Mobile UX

You'll understand the key differences between responsive websites, mobile websites, and native applications.  You'll also learn about different mobile application types and gain an understanding of mobile design patterns. 

You will learn:

• The high-level implications and constraints of designing for mobile versus desktop. 
• The differences between responsive websites, mobile websites, and native apps, and understand how each of them are built.
• The two main mobile app flows: linear and hub-and-spoke, and the characteristics of each.
• The five main styles of mobile navigation and the ideal scenarios where each should be implemented. 

Module 9: Workflows

You'll learn the importance of designing effective workflows which allow users to complete common tasks like registration, onboarding, and sign-in.  You'll also be introduced to complex forms and payment flows.

You will learn:

• The concepts of workflows and how they help users complete a defined task.
• How to design registration, onboarding, and sign-in screens following optimal design patterns.
• How complex forms can be designed to minimize the amount of user input and effort required.
• How to design a payment page following best design practices to minimize abandonment. 
• The concepts of micro-tasks and modes and how to design these effectively. 

Module 10: Prototyping and Handover

You'll gain the skills and knowledge to build interactive prototypes.  You'll learn the differences between high, medium, and low-fidelity prototypes.  Finally, you'll reconize the importance of clear handover documentation when transitioning from design to build.  

You will learn:

• How prototypes offfer a cost effective technique for iterating designs. 
• The differences between low, medium, and high fidelity prototypes.
• The key considerations involved in choosing the appropriate fidelity of the prototype.
• To use Figma to create a medium fidelity prototype.
• How to progress from a medium fidelity prototype to a higher fidelity, interactive prototype. 
• How to effectively handover your designs to be built by the software developers.

Module 11: AI and UX Design

You'll explore how AI can help you design better and what you should consider when desgining AI products.  You'll learn how to integrate tools like ChatGPT into your workflow, and what's different about designing for AI-assisted experiences. 

You will learn:

• The benefits of using AI tools in your workflow. Current AI limitations and the importance of human judgement when it comes to using these tools.
• The current landscape of available AI tools for UX design.
• Emerging approaches and techniques for designing AI-assisted products. 
• The current thinking on the role of AI in UX, today and in the future. 

Module 12: Creating Your Portfolio

You'll learn how to structure your portfolio to best showcase your skills.  You'll recognize the importance of a well-structured case study in telling the story of your work, and where to get UX experience before you've landed your first role. 

You will learn:

• How to structure your case studies like a story. 
• What to include in your portfolio, from well-crafted case studies to a compelling 'About' section.
• Strategies for creating a strong portfolio even without professional experience. 
• How to showcase your UX process, demonstrating your ability to idenfity problems and create solutions. 
• How to emphasize the impact of your design decisions and the value you bring as a UX designer.

Live Mentor Feedback

Get expert feedback and support during multiple mentor-led workshops every week.  Our mentors are seasoned professionals with a genuine passion for UX.  

Meet some of the course mentors:

Portfolio Projects

You'll complete a series of real-world projects to help you create a high-quailty portfolio.  This means you will leave the course ready for the UX job market.  

Career Guidance, Tutor Support, and Community

Through our UX design course, you'll never work alone.  With personal support from our education advisors, course tutors, and a thriving community of fellow students, you are continually supported. 

Our Students Find Jobs They Love

Thousands of students have started rewarding careers with great companies.  You can, too!

"I got a job in UX less than a month afgter completing my diploma.  The mentors were always willing to schedule one-on-one sessions to go over the portfolio and prepare for interviews.  As a former iOS developer switching to UX design, the UX Design Institute played a crucial role in my career change."

Shreya Choudhari

Product Designer

@Vodafone

"I managed to secure a new job as a Product Designer before I even completed the Professional Diploma in UX Design.  So I would absolutely recommend the course.  The student support has been amazing."

Annie Crossland

Product Designer

@Cirevo

What is UX design?

UX stands for user experience.  UX design is all about shaping how a user feels when they interact with a product or service. 

What does a UX designer do? 

The day-to-day tasks of a UX designer are determined by the UX process.  The UX process broadly consists of research, design, testing, and validation. 

How much do UX designers earn? 

How much you make in UX design depends on a variety of factors.  These include everything from where you work and what you do, right through how much experience you have and who is your employer. 

Will AI replace UX designers?

It's highly unlikely that AI will replace the need for UX designers.  UX is far too reliant on the human touch.  Empathy will always be number one when it comes to designing user-friendly products. 

What are the admissions criteria? 

Background: You don't need experience in design or technology to enroll in our courses, although having one or both is a definite bonus.  Our students come from a diverse mix of backgrounds, including project management, development, graphic design, product management, business analysis, and more. 

Commitment: You do need to be motivated and committed.  We set a high bar.  Studying for one of our professional qualifications requires a certain amount of time, energy, and focus.  Our team will be there to support you along every step of the way, but success will come as a result of your own diligence. 

English Language: You need to be comfortable learning in English.  All video lessons, course materials, webinars, correspondence, and the final exam are delivered in English. 

How flexible is the course? 

There are two learning paths available to you:

Structured Path: The most popular option is to follow the six-month structure.  Each month you are given a deadline with a number of video lessons to complete.  A monthly mentor-hosted webinar allows you to discuss your coursework to date, ask questions, and get feedback on your assignment. 

Self-Directed Path: Alternatively, according to your personal time constraints, you can complete the course entirely at your own pace.  As the course is delivered entirely online, it means you're free to complete it at your convenience.  You'll still be able to participate in any of the webinars - either live or catching up through recordings.  Once enrolled, you'll have access to all of the course materials for twelve months. 

Will I get a mentor? 

Yes.  All our mentors are top class UX professionals with many years of experience working in the field.  Our mentors host weekly webinars and will be available during these live sessions to answer questions, review projects, and keep you motivated. 

Will I build a portfolio?

Yes.  Practical work is a huge part of the course.  For the Professional Certificate in UX Design, there are a total of 16 projects to give you hands-on experience with all the key aspects of UX.  Each project is part of a single case study - researching, designing, and prototyping a website or a mobile app.  The output will be a portfolio of work that will showcase your skills and experience in UX.

Will I work on a team? 

Yes, if you want to.  Each course is limited to a maximum of 75 people.  This allows you to build relationships with your fellow students on a dedicated Slack channel, and collaborate on projects and study time. 

Are there other course start dates available? 

There are multiple course start dates throughout the year.