Hey there future UX designers!
Today we are here to talk about something that I am sure everyone adores: great, great UX.
As someone who has always been a huge fan of great UX, I vividly remember the profound impact a particular website had on shaping my understanding of user-centric design.
Picture this: Dribbble – an online platform that not only showcases an inspiring array of design work but also presents it with a user interface so seamless, interactions & web content so intuitive, it feels like the website is an extension of my thoughts.
Take a look at this.
If you know what I am talking about, you have, too, probably found yourself endlessly fascinated by the way users interact with websites and apps and you're itching to discover valuable UX resources for beginners to enhance your understanding of user-centric design.
💡From free online courses to paid options like certificates, this article will be your complete guide to kickstart your UX journey.
Let us get some important info out of the way first:
TL;DR
✍️ UX design is the process of developing products, systems, or services with the user's needs and satisfaction in mind.
✍️ It involves designing the overall feel, usability, and accessibility of a product to ensure that users have a positive and enjoyable interaction with it.
✍️ Our list today covers free and paid options for specialist online courses, YouTube channels, certification programs, UX research communities and some job opportunities.
What is UX Design?
UX Design focuses on creating seamless, enjoyable interactions between users and products.
👉🏼 It enhances user satisfaction by improving usability, accessibility, and overall satisfaction.
Key Elements of UX Design include:
- Intuitive Navigation
- Responsive Layouts
- Clear Information Architecture
- Engaging Visual Design
- User-Centric Prototyping
- Accessibility Considerations
- Streamlined Interactivity
- A/B Testing for Optimization & Insight
UX Design Resources for Beginners
UX, or User Experience, is becoming a huge job field as businesses prioritize good practice of user-friendly digital interactions. To get started, exploring UX design resources is key.
Let's dive into essential materials to kickstart your journey in this rapidly growing domain.
Certification Programs
🚀 Coursera
Google, in partnership with Coursera, offers a UX Design Professional Certificate as part of the Google Career Certificates program.
This specialized course equips learners with the skills needed to design great user interface.
It covers key aspects such as UX research, user testing, UI design, wireframing, web accessibility, graphic design, and prototyping, providing practical experience using industry-standard tools.
This program is designed to prepare individuals for entry-level UX roles, aligning with industry demands for skilled UX professionals and career coaches.
Upon completion, learners have the option to share their resume directly with employers in the Google IT Certificate Employer Consortium.
🚀 Udemy
Udemy, a popular online learning platform, offers a diverse range of user experience resources catering to various skill levels and interests.
With a plethora of courses, beginners can find introductory content covering UX fundamentals, product design, UI design principles, user testing, graphic design, and basic tools.
One popular example is "UI/UX Design – Design Thinking, Wireframe & Prototyping" by Joe Natoli.
For those looking to deepen their skills, Udemy provides intermediate and advanced coursesand design resources on topics like UI design, user research methodologies, product design, motion design, and prototyping using tools such as Sketch or Adobe XD.
🚀 LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning, a platform known for professional development, offers a variety of user experience design resources to help aspiring UX designers advance their skills and stay competitive in the industry.
Some popular UX design courses available on LinkedIn Learning include:
👉🏼 "UX Foundations: Multidevice Design" by Diane Cronenwett
👉🏼 "UX Research Fundamentals" by Amanda Stockwell
👉🏼 "Sketch Essential Training: The Basics" by Chimmy Kalu
👉🏼 "Design Thinking: Understanding the Process" by Chris Nodder
💡Several universities and institutions also offer online degrees and programs specifically focused on UX design.
Here are some of them:
1-Georgia Tech – Online Master of Science in UX Design
- Georgia Tech offers a fully online master's program focusing on UX web design.
- The curriculum covers topics such as UX research, usability testing, motion design, interaction design, and service design thinking, ensuring a great career ahead!
2- University of Michigan – Master of Applied Data Science with a UX Design Specialization
- This online program from the University of Michigan combines data science and UX design solution, offering students a unique perspective on leveraging data for user-centric design decisions.
3- California State University, Fullerton – Online Professional Certificate in UX/UI Design
- CSUF offers an online user experience certificate program covering essential UX/UI design skills, including UX research, motion design, prototyping, and usability testing.
4- Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) – Online Master of Science in Human-Computer Interaction
- Rochester Institute of Technology's online master's program in Human-Computer Interaction includes courses on UX design, usability engineering, product design, and user research.
Specialist Courses
Ready to specialize and become an expert in a particular area of UX? Specialist Courses are your ticket to mastering the key concepts of specific skills like mobile app UX design, web UX design, and more.
🚀 Skillshare
Skillshare is an online learning platform known for its wide range of creative and practical courses alongside great researchers.
While it may not offer traditional degrees, Skillshare does provide specialist courses in user experience design.
Some popular choices include:
- "User Experience Design Essentials – Adobe XD UI UX Design" by Daniel Walter Scott
- ''Sound Design in UX: An Introduction for Designers'' by Henry Daw
- ''Mobile App Prototyping: Designing Custom Interactions'' by Noah Levin
- ''Smart Responsive UX Design: Clever Tips, Tricks, and Techniques'' by Vitaly Friedman
Design Inspiration and Action
✍🏼 Online Platforms for you to find design inspiration
Every UX designer needs to find inspiration!
You can always explore websites like Behance, Dribbble, and Awwwards to feast your eyes on stunning pieces of visual design.
These websites showcase a wide array of designs across various industries, providing inspiration and high-quality resource for layout, color schemes, and interactive elements.
These platforms not only allow you to design but also provide collaboration features, making it easier for you to share and get feedback from researchers.
✍🏼 Case Studies and Portfolios
You can investigate UX design case studies, an abundance of articles and user journey portfolios on websites like Medium and UX Design Institute.
UX Design Institute
Reading high-quality resources like design projects, articles about real-world projects, great experience, and design processes can provide practical insights for beginners.
✍🏼 Design Inspiration Blogs and Magazines
Make sure you regularly visit design-focused blogs, YouTube channels, and magazines like Smashing Magazine, UX Design CC, and Nielsen Norman Group's Blog.
Smashing Magazine
These platforms often feature an abundance of articles, video tutorials, and discussions on the latest trends and best practices in UX design offered by industry leaders and developers.
Nielsen Norman Group
✍🏼 UX Design Tools
Familiarize yourself with essential user experience design tools to bring your ideas to life.
Tools like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD are popular for creating wireframe and prototype, video tutorials and mockups.
Experiment with these industrial design tools to understand their capabilities and find the one that suits your design process.
✍🏼 Design Communities
Reddit's r/UXDesign
Join online design communities and forums such as Stack Overflow, Reddit's r/UXDesign, and Designer Hangout on Slack.
Engaging with these communities allows beginners to seek advice & recommendation during the design process, share experiences, and get feedback from experienced UX designers and developers who offer mentorship.
Finding a Job
As you grow in your skills as a UX designer, the next step is finding a job.
Utilize job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor to explore opportunities and reach out to career coaches.
Tailor your resume and portfolio to showcase your projects and skills. Don't forget to leverage your newfound community connections—they can be a valuable resource for job leads and recommendation. 📣
Final Words
To get started with UX design might feel like a leap, but armed with this complete guide, UX research, community support and the right resources, you're well on your way to a great career.
Whether you choose a comprehensive certification, specialized courses, or simply immerse yourself in user interface & the right resources, the key to get started is to stay curious, practice, and embrace the evolving world of User Experience.
Happy designing!
