Introduction to User Experience Design from Coursera

The focus of this course is to introduce the learner to User Experience (UX) Design

User Experience design is design that is user centered. The goal is to design artifacts that allow the users to meet their needs in the most effective efficient and satisfying manner. The course introduces the novice to a cycle of discovery and evaluation and a set of techniques that meet the user's needs.

This course is geared toward the novice. It is for learners that have heard about "user experience" or "user interface" design but don't really know much about these disciplines.

The course mantra is that “Design is a systematic and data driven process.” Design is systematic because it is based on a set of techniques and also on a cycle of discovery.

In this course the learner is introduced to the four step user interface design cycle. Along the way learners are exposed to a set of techniques to gather information about a) what the user needs b)how to design and model interfaces based on these and then how to evaluate the design to ascertain that the user's goals are met. These techniques are tools that are used in a standardized manner and give us the data we use in our design.

This means that anyone (regardless of their current training) that is willing to learn these techniques and follow the proposed cycle can be a UX designer!

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome

What you should know before you start this course

Overview of User Experience Design

In these lectures we introduce the basic concepts covered in this course.

Requirement Gathering

The first step of the design cycle is presented along with techniques that are relevant for understanding the user and tasks. There is also a focus on how to present findings from this phase of the design cycle.

Designing Alternatives

The second step of the design cycle is presented. Students are shown how to take the findings from phase 1 (requirement gathering) to design mobile and ubiquitous computing systems that meet the usablility constraints that were identified.

Prototyping

The third step of the design cycle is presented. Once the best design is chosen how to we iteratively design models of the system to quickly allow user to interact and provide feedback.

Evaluation

The fourth step of the design cycle is presented. Techniques for determining how well the design meets usability constraints and user experience are presented

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces beginners to User Experience (UX) Design

Teaches a standardized 4-step user interface design cycle

Suitable for learners with no prior knowledge in UX Design

Provides techniques for gathering user needs and designing interfaces

Emphasizes data-driven design processes

Lacks coverage of advanced UX Design concepts and tools

Reviews summary

Very positive course on ux design

According to students, Introduction to User Experience Design earns high praise for being a wonderfully helpful course. Students say that this course does a remarkable job of translating user expectations into practical design solutions.

Students say that this course does an excellent job explaining expectations and designing.

"Rally happy to have found this subject online."

"it has helped me to clear my basics about what user expects and how that expectation can be translated into an experience by improving or redoing the designs."

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 Introduction to User Experience Design with these activities:

Review basic principles of human-computer interaction

Show steps

Review fundamental concepts of HCI to strengthen your understanding of the field before starting the course.

Browse courses on Human-Computer Interaction

Show steps

Read articles and textbooks on HCI principles
Review online tutorials on basic HCI concepts
Attend a workshop or seminar on HCI

Follow UX Design Tutorials

Show steps

Follow online tutorials to learn about specific UX design techniques and tools.

Browse courses on User Experience Design

Show steps

Find tutorials that are relevant to your interests and skill level.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step and complete the exercises.
Experiment with different UX design techniques and tools.

Follow tutorials on user research techniques

Show steps

Complete tutorials to gain practical experience in conducting user research, which is foundational for effective UX design.

Browse courses on User Research

Show steps

Identify different user research methods and techniques
Follow online tutorials or courses on user research
Apply the learned techniques to conduct user research on a small-scale project

Seven other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all ten activities

Solve UX Design Problems

Show steps

Practice solving UX design problems to solidify your understanding of the design cycle and techniques.

Browse courses on User Experience Design

Show steps

Identify the user's needs and goals.
Design a user interface that meets those needs.
Evaluate the design to ensure it meets usability constraints.

Practice user interface design exercises

Show steps

Complete exercises to hone your skills in designing user interfaces, which will be essential for the course projects.

Browse courses on User Interface Design

Show steps

Design mockups for different types of user interfaces
Evaluate existing user interfaces for usability and efficiency
Participate in online challenges or competitions focused on UI design

Engage in peer review and discussion of UX design projects

Show steps

Collaborate with peers to critique and provide feedback on UX design projects, fostering critical thinking and enhancing design skills.

Browse courses on UX Design

Show steps

Form study groups or find peer review partners
Share and present UX design projects with peers
Provide constructive feedback on the usability, design, and overall user experience of the projects

Attend a workshop on user experience testing

Show steps

Attend a workshop to enhance your skills in evaluating the effectiveness of user interfaces through testing.

Show steps

Research different UX testing methods and techniques
Attend a workshop or training program on UX testing
Apply the learned techniques to conduct UX testing on a real-world project

Design a UX Portfolio

Show steps

Create a UX design portfolio to showcase your skills and understanding of UX design principles.

Browse courses on User Experience Design

Show steps

Gather your best UX design work.
Create a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate portfolio.
Highlight your skills and experience in UX design.

Develop a prototype for a mobile application

Show steps

Create a prototype to demonstrate your understanding of user experience design principles applied to mobile applications.

Browse courses on Mobile Application Development

Show steps

Identify a problem or need that a mobile application could solve
Design the user interface and user flow of the application
Develop a basic prototype using prototyping tools or software
Test the prototype with users and gather feedback
Iterate on the design and development based on feedback

Develop a blog or portfolio showcasing UX design work

Show steps

Create a blog or portfolio to document your UX design journey, showcasing your skills and reflecting on your learning.

Browse courses on UX Design

Show steps

Choose a platform or website to host your blog or portfolio
Create content that showcases your UX design work, including case studies, projects, and insights
Publish and promote your content to share your knowledge and expertise

Career center

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

Interaction Designer

An Interaction Designer is responsible for designing the user interface of a product or service. They work to create interfaces that are both visually appealing and easy to use. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become an Interaction Designer by providing you with a foundation in the principles of UX design. You will learn how to gather requirements from users, design and prototype interfaces, and evaluate the usability of your designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

UX Engineer

A UX Engineer is responsible for the technical implementation of UX design principles. They work to create websites and other digital products that are both visually appealing and easy to use. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a UX Engineer by providing you with a foundation in the principles of UX design and front-end development. You will learn how to gather requirements from users, design and prototype interfaces, and implement your designs using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Engineer

Web Designer

A Web Designer is responsible for the design and layout of a website. They work to create websites that are both visually appealing and easy to navigate. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Web Designer by providing you with a foundation in the principles of UX design. You will learn how to gather requirements from users, design and prototype interfaces, and evaluate the usability of your designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Front-End Developer

A Front-end Developer is responsible for the design and development of the user interface of a website or other digital product. They work to create interfaces that are both visually appealing and easy to use. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Front-end Developer by providing you with a foundation in the principles of UX design and front-end development. You will learn how to gather requirements from users, design and prototype interfaces, and implement your designs using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

See salaries and explore the career path for Front-End Developer

User Experience Designer

A UX Designer is responsible for the overall user experience of a product or service. They work to ensure that the product is easy to use, enjoyable, and meets the needs of the user. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a UX Designer by providing you with a foundation in the principles of UX design. You will learn how to gather requirements from users, design and prototype interfaces, and evaluate the usability of your designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the development and management of a product. They work to ensure that the product meets the needs of the users and is successful in the marketplace. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Product Manager by providing you with a foundation in the principles of UX design. You will learn how to gather requirements from users, design and prototype products, and evaluate the success of your products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Information Architect

An Information Architect is responsible for designing the structure and organization of a website or other digital product. They work to create websites that are easy to navigate and find information. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become an Information Architect by providing you with a foundation in the principles of UX design. You will learn how to gather requirements from users, design and prototype interfaces, and evaluate the usability of your designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

User Researcher

A User Researcher is responsible for gathering data about users and their needs. They work to understand how users interact with products and services, and to identify ways to improve the user experience. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a User Researcher by providing you with a foundation in the principles of UX research. You will learn how to conduct user interviews, surveys, and usability testing, and how to analyze and interpret the results.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Researcher

Product Designer

A Product Designer is responsible for the design of a product from concept to launch. They work to create products that are both useful and desirable. An understanding of UX design principles can be helpful for product designers who are working on digital products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Graphic designer

A Graphic Designer is responsible for creating visual content, such as logos, brochures, and websites. They work to create designs that are both visually appealing and effective in communicating a message. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Graphic Designer by providing you with a foundation in the principles of design. You will learn how to gather requirements from clients, design and prototype visual content, and evaluate the effectiveness of your designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

BusinessAnalyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business needs and developing solutions to meet those needs. They work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of businesses. An understanding of UX design principles can be helpful for business analysts who are working on projects that involve the development of digital products.

See salaries and explore the career path for BusinessAnalyst

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for the planning, execution, and closure of projects. They work to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality. An understanding of UX design principles can be helpful for project managers who are working on projects that involve the development of digital products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. They work to provide insights that can help businesses make better decisions. An understanding of UX design principles can be helpful for data analysts who are working on projects that involve the analysis of user data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for the development and execution of marketing campaigns. They work to create campaigns that reach and engage target audiences. An understanding of UX design principles can be helpful for marketing managers who are working on campaigns that involve the development of digital products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of software systems. They work to create software that is both efficient and easy to use. This course can help you develop the skills you need to become a Software Engineer by providing you with a foundation in the principles of software engineering. You will learn how to gather requirements from users, design and implement software systems, and test and debug software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer