Become a UX/UI Designer: Best Online Courses
The tech industry is booming! Companies centered around technology are looking for impressive individuals to work on their teams. Therefore, the number of jobs in the field has been growing steadily for years.
And these job openings are not going to slow down any time soon. They will only grow in number to keep up with the developments in technology we are witnessing as consumers.
Are you curious about this sought-after career? Continue reading as we explore the path to becoming a UX or UI designer and suggest several courses UX/UI designers-students will want an enrollment in.
What Is a UX/UI Designer?
So first of all: What exactly is a UX or UI designer? And what is their day-to-day routine? UX/UI designers place humans at the forefront of designing tech products, e.g. web design. Instead of seeking maximum efficiency for the tech, UX/UI designers prioritize usability. In all realms of technology, that is where the profit comes from. Therefore, it makes sense to cater to the needs of those who bring in earnings.
Curious about what UX/UI designers work on in regards to projects? They can work on projects that vary widely. UX/UI designers work on software (mobile apps), hardware (smartphones), and experiences where consumers utilize technology in the real world, e.g. interaction design. An easy experience to relate to in the real world is shopping at the grocery store and using a self-checkout machine.
If there is one aspect of UX/UI design that interests you more than the rest, it is possible to attempt to land a job in that specific market. Many niche roles need filling. Try reflecting on what kind of design you would like to work on.
Does this sound like something you are interested in doing with your life? Next, we are talking about how to enter the field of UX/UI design.
Changing Careers
Chances are you already started a career path you will be deviating from to pursue UX/UI design. You should applaud yourself for being adaptable to the job market and filling a much-needed role in the current economy. However, we must not overlook the difficulty of changing careers. There are monetary aspects to consider. Time management and planning the unexpected also hold crucial roles in the process.
We are speaking more about what to look for when changing careers and how to plan accordingly later, but note that this can be a really tricky task. It will require your full attention. Additionally, you may have to make temporary adjustments in your lifestyle.
Where to Start
If the concept of making your career in the UX/UI design field is feeling daunting, consider taking a free UX design micro course. A short intro course will lead you to many staple topics within your potential new career. You will gather more information to see if you want to continue with your UX/UI design education or if you want to try something different.
If you have already decided that UX/UI design is right for you, work on getting yourself certified. Although certification is not required to be a UX/UI designer, it will highlight your qualification above other candidates that do not hold the same credential. We are discussing various online courses for UX/UI design later on. Keep in mind that this is a crucial step toward success.
What Are the Differences Between UX and UI Designers?
UX and UI designers have similar jobs. Despite the similarity, they vary when looking at the specific things they tackle on a project. First, we will explain the acronyms.
UI stands for “user interface.”
The easiest way to remember the difference is that UX designers focus on physical and digital products and digital design. UI designers only focus on digital products. Thus, it is important that both of them know how to use design tools correctly and have a high understanding of design processes.
Best Courses for UX Design
It is time to talk about the best online courses for UX Design currently offered for those interested in UX design and UX research.
Free Programs for UX Design
Check out these courses focusing on UX design that come cost-free.
The Gymnasium UX Fundamentals
This course is ideal for those having professional experience in graphic design but lack experience in the UX field.
REQUIRED: Computer, Camera, Software, Printer, PDF Knowledge
TAUGHT BY: Jim Webb
CareerFoundry UX Design Short Course
It’s the perfect intro into UX design! This short free UX design course will lay the foundation for decisions to be made on if UX design is the career for you. You do not need any experience at all to participate in this course.
TIME: Self-Paced
INCLUDED: Video Introduction, Written Lesson, Hands-On Task, Interactive Quiz
Accenture Digital Skills: User Experience on Future Learn
This course runs you through the basics of UX design so you can feel prepared for the job market. There are options to gain accreditation through this course.
TIME: 3 Weeks
INCLUDED: Tests, Unlimited Access, Articles, Videos, Peer Reviews, Quizzes, Certificate of Achievement
UI/UX Design Specialization by CalArts on Coursera
This program boasts an ultra-flexible schedule that is perfect for those who may not have a wide-open amount of time for studying and completing training. You can adapt this course to a variety of languages outside of English.
TIME: 4 Months
EXPERIENCE: None Required
Become a UX Designer by LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is a premier resource for anyone wanting to learn the ropes of a new career. This resource is especially relevant for those interested in UX design. This course is unique in its ability to help you create a profile of your work.
TIME: 10 Courses, 9 Hours
INCLUDED: Badge of Completion
Priced Programs for UX Design
Check out these courses focusing on UX design that cost money but are rich in knowledge to offer.
Google UX Design Certificate
The Google UX Certificate video is in a 100% remote setting to provide top-tier UX design education.
TIME: 6 Months
EXPERIENCE: None Required
COST: $39/Month (x6 Months)
CareerFoundry UX Design Program
This course from CareerFoundry uses individual projects as their focus to ensure you get the hands-on experience that will help you excel in any UX design career.
TIME: 10 Months
EXPERIENCE: None Required
COST: $7,900
Springboard UX Career Track
This program by Springboard guarantees that you will have a job after graduation. They focus on building a well-rounded portfolio you can be proud to show off on your resume and future job applications.
TIME: 6 Months
EXPERIENCE: 1 Year Professional Experience or Degree in Various Fields
COST: $9,540
General Assembly UX Design Immersive (Online)
This UX design course from General Assembly is an immersive online program. Over 80,000 satisfied students have participated in this program.
TIME: 3 Months
EXPERIENCE: None Required
COST: $15,950
Designlab UX Academy
Designlab hosts a UX design program for students or professionals with or without experience in the UX design field. This course is ideal to learn UX design for beginners. Regardless of your location in the world, this program is available to you.
TIME: 30 Weeks
EXPERIENCE: None Required
COST: Unknown
Best Courses for UI Design
Take a look at the best online courses for UI Design currently offered for those interested in on-demand UI design.
Free Programs for UI Design
Prototyping, wireframing, user research? Check out these courses focusing on UI design which are cost-free.
UI Design 101 with Antony Conboy
This YouTube series is a well-done lesson on the fundamentals of UI design. Antony Conboy provides easy-to-understand guidelines and advice.
TIME: 20 Minutes
EXPERIENCE: None Required
The CareerFoundry UI Design Short Course
This free UI design program by CareerFoundry focuses on UI design for beginners. No previous experience or knowledge is required to get the full benefits of this free course.
TIME: ~2.5 Hours
EXPERIENCE: None Required
Fundamental UI Design with InVision
InVision focuses on using the past to craft a better future when it comes to user interface design principles. Besides this specific page, they have many free resources that are available for interested learners.
TIME: Varies Widely
EXPERIENCE: None Required
Introduction to UI Design with Coursera
This course is provided through the University of Michigan. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. You will receive a certificate once the design fundamentals course is completed that can be used on your resume to show adequate training.
TIME: 14 Hours
EXPERIENCE: None Required
Fundamentals of User Interface Design with Udemy
Udemy is the host of this useful video that will teach you all that you need to know about UI design in less than four hours. You’ll become knowledgeable on an array of topics such as typography, design principles, prototyping, color theory, and the basics of softwares e.g. AdobeXD and Figma.
TIME: <4 Hours
EXPERIENCE: None Required
Priced Programs for UI Design
Get ready to improve your skill set! These programs may come with expenses, but they also come with premier information in UI design.
Skillshare UI Design Courses
Skillshare hosts many various instructors that you can learn from. This means you can always look around to find tutorials that you feel the most intellectual connection with. Skillshare does require a subscription but there is a free trial available.
TIME: Varies
EXPERIENCE: None Required
COST: $32/month or $168/year
Designlab UI Design Course
Enhance your visual design skills with Designlab UI Design Course. You do need to have some experience with software to be comfortable participating. However, many people do have this skill now that technology is such a prominent part of our lives. Check it out and see if it could be the right fit for you.
TIME: 4 Weeks
EXPERIENCE: Software Experience
COST: $399 (promotional price)
The UX Design Institute Professional Certificate in UI Design
The UX Design Insitute is regarded as one of the leaders in training highly-skilled professionals in UI design. If you are serious about your future in this field, consider trying this certificate UI Designer course.
TIME: 12 Weeks
EXPERIENCE: None Required
COST: $2,350
Thinkful UX/UI Design Bootcamp
Thinkful, a brand related to Chegg, offers a boot camp focusing solely on getting your new career UI Designer on the road. You can choose to participate in the program full-time or part-time depending on your scheduling needs.
TIME: 5 Months
EXPERIENCE: None Required
COST: $9,500+
Springboard UX/UI Design Career Track
Achieve your UI design career goals with Springboard. This is an intensive course that utilizes mentorship to best train eager young minds by industry experts.
TIME: 9 Months
EXPERIENCE: None Required
COST: $14,000+
Why Are UX and UI Design Jobs in Demand?
The way that humans live is quickly evolving towards our technology and design thinking. Things that were once only available in the physical world, are now being created in the digital world for the sake of convenience and efficiency. It all comes down to user experience design where your persona is connected to the outcome of a hands-on projects such as animations, web design and visual design. Not to mention, digital experiences can often outrank those of the material world. Workers with expertise in web development and product design are high in demand.
This innovation and change of pace in society requires fresh minds who are dedicated and prepared to take on curating these products. This is where UX and UI designers come into play.
How to Prepare for Changing Careers
Changing careers has the potential to be the most pivotal part of your life. Due to the nature of this, it is important to properly prepare for such a large change. Here you can learn how to prepare for changing the direction of your career.
Finances
Making sure your finances are in order before switching careers is vital to having a smooth transition. The average worker should have at least 3 months of living expenses saved in an emergency fund account at all times.
However, in times of changing careers, it may be wise to have 6 months or even a year of living expenses on hand in an emergency savings account. This will not only provide a physical safety net in transitional times but it will also bring peace of mind so you can focus on excelling in your new field.
Free Time
Training for a new career and searching for a job takes time commitments that may extend outside your usual allotment for free time. Try to find the time where possible to complete tasks associated with the job you desire. These time requirements can include certification courses or personal study time. You may have to make temporary sacrifices to find extra time but once you are settled, things will typically calm down.
Adaptability
Adapting to new environments and ways of doing things is crucial to changing careers. This is especially true if you are seeking a job as a UX/UI designer. Technology is the fastest-moving part of modern society. Once you master one aspect of it, there is another one that was just released and has to be given proper attention. While this can be challenging, try to embrace it as a part of an exciting and lively career. The flexible thrive in tech jobs.
Supportive Environment
Some environments are much more supportive than others. This can include our physical environment such as the homes we live in as well as the people we are surrounded by. Do your best to make your environment conducive to advancing your goals in design experience.
Self Care
Taking care of yourself allows every other aspect of your life to flow in the correct direction. Self Care should focus on things such as a solid sleep routine, healthy eating habits, and regular exercise. Self Care practice should also include paying attention to your current mental state and utilizing stress-reduction techniques. When you are taken care of, you have more energy to put towards achieving your career-centered goals.
Final Thoughts
The tech industry is in dire need of talented individuals who can craft their apps and software to perfectly suit the needs of various users in different demographics. Regardless of career background or previous experience, you may be qualified to fill roles such as these.