What is the difference between UX and UI?

UX design is the careful planning and creation of the user experience and everything it entails.  It focuses first and foremost on creating a product or service that solves a particular user problem, making sure the proposed solution is easy and enjoyable to use. 

UI Design is the process of designing how digital interfaces look and behave.  It covers all of the visual and interactive properties of websites, software, and apps - from colors and typography to buttons, scroll functions, animations, and more. 

What is product design?  

Product design is a cross-functional discipline that spans research, strategy, design, and business - with lots of collaboration along the way. 

Is product design (UX/UI) a good career path? 

There's no doubt about it: product designers are hotter than ever right now, with UX/UI designer rated as the most in-demand product design title.  In fact, four in five (81%) of product designers are contacted by recruiters on at least a monthly basis, while one in three (34%) are contacted by recruiters weekly. 

How much do product designers (UX/UI) make?

Product designers rank highly in the salary stakes, enjoying an average yearly income of $106,766 in the United States.  According to a recent survey by Invision, 84% of product designers saw their salary increase in the last 1 - 2 years, and they expect their compensation to rise by nearly 20% in the next 1 - 2 years.  

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. 

When will I start the UI course?

When you in enroll in both courses together, we will add you to the upcoming start date that is currently displayed on our site.  Your UI course will be set to "open enrollment".  This means you can join any future start date after you complete the UX course.  This gives you the flexibility to go straight from one course to the other, or take some time away from your studies before progressing to the second course. 

How are the courses structured? 

Structured Path: The most popular option is to follow the structured framework that we provide.  For each month of the course you are given a deadline with a number of video lessons to complete.  A monthly mentor-hosted webinar allows you to discuss coursework to date, ask questions, and get feedback on your assignments.  

Self-Directed Path: Alternatively, according to your personal time constraints, you can complete the courses entirely at your own pace.  As the courses are delivered entirely online, it means that you're free to complete them as your schedule allows.  You'll still be able to take part in any of the webinars - either live or through recordings.  Once enrolled in the Professional Certificate in UX, you'll have access to all of the course materials for twelve months.  Once enrolled in the UI course, you'll have access to all of the course materials for six months. 

Will I get a mentor? 

Yes.  All of our mentors are top class UX/UI professionals with many years of experience 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 our courses. 

For the UX design course, there are a total of 16 projects to give you hands-on experience on all of the key aspects of UX.  Each project is part of a single case study - researching, designing, and prototyping a website or mobile app. 

For UI Design, you'll complete an assignment which involves a series of practical exercises to give you hands-on experience in UI Design. 

The output from these courses will be a portfolio of work that will showcase your skills, your mindset, and your experience in UX and UI design. 

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.