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UX Design

Brainstorm, brainstorm! UX Design is not just about having ideas! The user-centred approach fuels innovation in ways that support incremental, radical and disruptive innovations towards great user experience like no other.

User experience design helps the team hone down on a new concept, on general interactions, on desired experiences, before jumping into user interface design (the next MOOC!).

Learn divergent ideation methods to bring creativity to problem-solving, whether you are called upon for a simple redesign or a major change in a digital offering. Use convergent ideation methods to anchor a new concept within your business context, seeking win-win innovation for all parties involved, within the project team, across the organisation including external end-users.

Thinking through innovation helps position even the smallest change into a long-term perspective. No wonder Design Thinking is a highly valued method.

No previous knowledge needed. Join us in the journey to master the divergent and convergent ideation methods. Unlock their potential, through the UX Design and Evaluation MicroMasters, or as an individual course.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

User-centred design approach (ucd),
Integration of ux research in the ux design process,
Incremental, radical and disruptive innovation,

Design thinking theory and practice,
Divergent and convergent ideation methods,
Ideation results analysis.

User-centred design approach (ucd),
Integration of ux research in the ux design process,
Incremental, radical and disruptive innovation,
Design thinking theory and practice,
Divergent and convergent ideation methods,
Ideation results analysis.

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores user-centered design approach (UCD), which is standard in UX design

Teaches divergent and convergent ideation methods, which helps learners ideate for UX design projects

Develops incremental, radical, and disruptive innovation skills, which are core skills for UX designers

Taught by Annemarie Lesage, who is recognized for their work in UX design

Examines design thinking theory and practice, which is highly relevant to UX design

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Reviews summary

Foundational ux design principles

According to learners, this course offers a highly effective introduction to UX Design, lauded for its focus on User-Centred Design (UCD) and Design Thinking principles. It provides clear explanations of divergent and convergent ideation methods, which many found immediately practical and applicable. While the lectures are generally praised for being engaging and structured, some more experienced students noted the content was too foundational or paced slowly, making it ideal for beginners seeking a conceptual understanding rather than advanced tool skills. Overall, it's considered an excellent starting point for the 'why' and 'how' of UX.

Emphasizes theory and methods over software tools.

"This course is more about the 'why' and 'how to think' in UX, not about tools like Figma."

"Don't expect software tutorials; it's a deep dive into the design process."

"It's important to understand this course is theoretical and methodological, not tool-specific."

Instructor explains complex topics effectively.

"The instructor explains concepts very clearly, making complex ideas easy to grasp."

"I appreciate the instructor's ability to simplify abstract UX principles."

"The lectures were engaging and easy to follow thanks to the instructor's teaching style."

Equips learners with applicable methods for design.

"The focus on divergent and convergent ideation methods was incredibly useful for my work."

"I learned practical ways to brainstorm and refine ideas, which I can immediately apply."

"The exercises helped solidify my understanding of how to implement Design Thinking."

Provides a strong start for newcomers to UX.

"This course is perfect for beginners, covering core UX concepts clearly."

"I had no prior UX knowledge, and now I feel confident in the basics of UCD."

"It truly provides a solid grounding in what UX design is all about."

Some experienced learners found parts too basic.

"As someone with some background, I found parts of the course moved a bit slow."

"For intermediate learners, much of this might feel like a review."

"I was hoping for more advanced strategies, but it's clearly aimed at novices."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in UX Design with these activities:

Attend UX Design Events and Meetups

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Connect with other UX designers, learn from industry experts, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends in UX design.

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Identify UX design events and meetups in your local area or online.
Attend events that align with your interests.
Network with other UX designers.
Learn from industry experts.

UX Research and Testing: Participate in User Studies

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Gain practical experience in UX research and testing by participating in user studies.

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Identify opportunities to participate in user studies.
Sign up to participate in studies that align with your interests.
Follow the study instructions carefully.
Provide honest and constructive feedback.

Design Thinking in UX: Case Studies and Examples

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Gain practical insights into the application of design thinking in UX design through real-world case studies and examples.

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Review design thinking principles and processes.
Explore case studies and examples of design thinking in UX design.
Discuss and analyze the key takeaways from these case studies.
Apply design thinking principles to your own UX design projects.

Four other activities

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Divergent Ideation: Brainstorming Techniques

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Reinforce knowledge of different brainstorming techniques used in the divergent ideation process.

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Review different brainstorming techniques.
Apply these techniques to generate ideas for a specific UX design challenge.
Document and share your ideas with others.

Convergent Ideation: Idea Evaluation and Selection

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Develop skills in evaluating and selecting the best ideas from brainstorming sessions.

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Learn different idea evaluation criteria.
Apply these criteria to evaluate ideas generated in a brainstorming session.
Select the best ideas to move forward with.
Document and share your ideas with others.

UX Design Project: Ideation and Prototyping

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Apply UX design principles and processes to develop and prototype a UX solution for a real-world problem.

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Identify a UX design problem.
Conduct user research.
Brainstorm and develop ideas.
Create a prototype.
Test the prototype with users.
Document and share your project.

UX Portfolio: Showcase Your UX Design Skills

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Develop a portfolio that showcases your UX design skills and experience.

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Identify your best UX design work.
Document your work in a professional portfolio.
Share your portfolio with potential employers and clients.
Update and maintain your portfolio as your skills and experience grow.

Career center

Learners who complete UX Design will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

UX Researcher

UX Researchers conduct research to understand users' needs and preferences. This course will help you build a foundation for this career by providing you with the knowledge and skills to design and conduct UX research studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Researcher

Design Researcher

Design Researchers conduct research to understand the needs of users and businesses. This course will help you build a foundation for this career by providing you with the knowledge and skills to design and conduct research studies.

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User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers create the blueprint of a product's interface, aiming to make it as intuitive and user-friendly as possible. This course will help you build a foundation for this career by providing you with the knowledge and skills to conduct UX research, develop ideas, and analyze results.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Product Designer

Product Designers are responsible for the overall design of a product, from its features to its aesthetics. This course will help you build a foundation for this career by providing you with the knowledge and skills to conduct UX research, develop ideas, and analyze results.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Information Architect

Information Architects organize and structure the content of a website or app. This course will help you build a foundation for this career by providing you with the knowledge and skills to conduct UX research, develop ideas, and analyze results.

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Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers focus on the way users interact with a product. This course will help you build a foundation for this career by providing you with the knowledge and skills to conduct UX research, develop ideas, and analyze results.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

UX Writer

UX Writers are responsible for the writing and editing of user-facing content. This course will help you build a foundation for this career by providing you with the knowledge and skills to write clear and concise UX copy.

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Service Designer

Service Designers are responsible for the design of services, such as customer support or online banking. This course will help you build a foundation for this career by providing you with the knowledge and skills to conduct UX research, develop ideas, and analyze results.

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UX Engineer

UX Engineers are responsible for the technical implementation of UX designs. This course will help you build a foundation for this career by providing you with the knowledge and skills to develop and test UX designs.

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Content Strategist

Content Strategists are responsible for the planning, creation, and management of content. This course will help you build a foundation for this career by providing you with the knowledge and skills to conduct UX research, develop ideas, and analyze results.

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UI Designer

UI Designers are responsible for the visual design of a product's interface. This course will help you build a foundation for this career by providing you with the knowledge and skills to develop and test UI designs.

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Front-End Developer

Front-End Developers are responsible for the coding and implementation of a product's interface. This course may be helpful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of UX design principles.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze and document business processes. This course may be helpful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of UX design principles.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the overall management of a product, from its conception to its launch. This course may be helpful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of UX design principles.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of marketing campaigns. This course may be helpful for this career by providing you with a better understanding of UX design principles.

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Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in UX Design.

Things That Make Us Smart

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Must-read for anyone who is interested in design. It provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of design, and it is full of insights that you can apply to your own work.

Things That Make Us Smart: Defending Human...

Kindle Edition

Don't Make Me Think, Revisited

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Classic in the field of UX design. It provides a clear and concise overview of the principles of usability, and it is full of practical tips that you can use to improve your designs.

UX Design

What's inside

Learning objectives

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Reviews summary

Foundational ux design principles

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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