Fundamentals of UX Design & Practical UX Research from edX

What's inside

Learning objectives

Master ux essentials: learn the principles, theories, and best practices that form the foundation of successful user experience design
Conduct practical research: gain hands-on experience in planning and executing user research, utilizing a variety of methodologies and techniques
Create captivating user experiences: develop the skills to craft intuitive interfaces, engaging content, and seamless user flows that leave a lasting impact

Understand the business value: discover how ux design contributes to business success, and learn to articulate the value of user-centered design to stakeholders
Cultivate a design mindset: develop a problem-solving mindset, enhance your creativity, and become a strategic thinker in the field of ux design

Master ux essentials: learn the principles, theories, and best practices that form the foundation of successful user experience design
Conduct practical research: gain hands-on experience in planning and executing user research, utilizing a variety of methodologies and techniques
Create captivating user experiences: develop the skills to craft intuitive interfaces, engaging content, and seamless user flows that leave a lasting impact
Understand the business value: discover how ux design contributes to business success, and learn to articulate the value of user-centered design to stakeholders
Cultivate a design mindset: develop a problem-solving mindset, enhance your creativity, and become a strategic thinker in the field of ux design

Syllabus

Unit 1. Prep Work:

0.1 - Laws of UX in detail

0.2 - The Gestalt Principles

1.1 - What is UX Design?

1.2 - History of UX Design

1.3 - Applications of UX Design

1.4 - Ux vs UI Design - What’s the difference?

1.2.1 - What is Design Thinking?

1.2.2 - Systemic Design Framework

1.2.3 - UX vs Design Thinking

1.2.4 - Importance of UX for Business

1.3.1 - Storytelling in UX - Why is it important?

1.3.2 - UX Case Studies

1.3.3 - How to write a Case Study

2.1 - User Research: Why is it important?

2.2 - Research in the Double Diamond Framework

2.3 - Planning User Research Effectively

2.4 - Research Participant Recruitment

2.2.1 - Understanding Different Kinds of Research

2.2.2 - Secondary Research and Mapping Techniques

2.3.3 - User Journey Maps

2.3.4 - Findings vs Insights and Problem Statements

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Unit 4. From UX Research to Design

Content Ideation

3.1.1 - From Research to Design - Content Strategy

3.1.2 - Jobs-to-be-Done vs User Stories

3.1.3 - Information Architecture - Sitemaps & Content Hierarchy

3.1.4 - User Flow Diagramming

3.1.5 - UX Writing

3.2.1 - MVPs and UX Metrics

3.2.2 - Wireframes, Wireflows, Prototypes

3.2.3 - UX Workshops: How to Ideate Collaboratively

3.2.4 - Product Onboarding Techniques

3.2.5 - Ethical Design and Dark UX

4.1.1 - Why is UI just as important as UX?

4.1.4 - Common UI Elements

4.1.5 - Colour Theory

4.1.6 - Interaction Design

4.1.7 - Typography

4.1.8 - Iconography

4.1.9 - Design Composition

4.1.10 Responsive vs Adaptive Design

Unit 2. Introduction to UX Fundamentals

Introduction to UX Design

Business Value of UX Design

Storytelling in UX

Unit 3. UX Research and Analysis

Creating a Research Plan

Research Methodologies

2.2.3 - Surveys and Interviews: Prep and Launch

Synthesis and Analysis

2.3.1 - Research Synthesis and Affinity Mapping

2.3.2 - User Personas

Content Design

Unit 5. Design Theory & Principles

Design Theory

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Focuses on the essential theory and practical skills in User Experience (UX) design, giving a comprehensive study for students new to the field

Conducted by Kaleb Cardenas, an experienced professional in the UX field

Develops a wide range of UX skills, from foundational theory to advanced research and design techniques, making it suitable for students with varying levels of experience

Teaches problem-solving and design thinking, valuable skills in various industries and roles

Covers current industry practices and methodologies in UX design, ensuring students are up-to-date with the latest approaches

Emphasizes the value of UX design in business success, providing a well-rounded understanding of the field's impact

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 Fundamentals of UX Design & Practical UX Research with these activities:

Read The Design of Everyday Things

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Build a strong foundation in design principles by reading this classic work on human-centered design.

View Design for a Better World: Meaningful,... on Amazon

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Read the introduction and first three chapters.
Take notes on the key concepts and principles discussed.
Apply these principles to a design project of your own.

Join a UX study group

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Collaborate with other UX learners to discuss concepts, share ideas, and provide feedback on each other's work.

Browse courses on User Experience Design

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Find a UX study group or create your own.
Meet regularly to discuss UX topics.
Share your work with the group and receive feedback.
Help other group members with their UX projects.

Follow a UX design tutorial series

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Expand your knowledge of UX by following a series of guided tutorials that cover different aspects of UX design.

Browse courses on User Experience Design

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Find a tutorial series that covers a topic you're interested in.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on the key concepts.
Complete the exercises and assignments in the tutorials.
Apply what you've learned to your own UX projects.

Five other activities

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Practice applying UX principles to real-world scenarios

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Strengthen your understanding of UX principles by applying them to real-world scenarios and receiving feedback on your work.

Browse courses on User Experience Design

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Identify a UX problem to solve.
Conduct user research to gather insights.
Develop a design solution that addresses the problem.
Test your solution with users and gather feedback.
Iterate on your design based on the feedback you receive.

Attend a UX workshop

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Gain hands-on experience in UX design by attending a workshop led by industry experts.

Browse courses on User Experience Design

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Find a UX workshop that aligns with your interests.
Register for the workshop and attend all sessions.
Participate in the workshop exercises and discussions.
Apply what you've learned from the workshop to your own UX projects.

Create a UX portfolio

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Showcase your UX skills and demonstrate your understanding of UX principles by creating a portfolio that highlights your work.

Browse courses on User Experience Design

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Gather examples of your best UX work.
Create a website or online portfolio to display your work.
Write case studies that describe your design process and results.
Get feedback on your portfolio from other UX professionals.

Participate in a UX design competition

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Challenge yourself and showcase your UX skills by participating in a design competition.

Browse courses on User Experience Design

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Find a UX design competition that interests you.
Read the competition brief and understand the requirements.
Develop a design solution that meets the competition criteria.
Submit your solution and wait for the results.
Reflect on your experience and learn from the feedback you receive.

Mentor a junior UX designer

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Enhance your understanding of UX principles and share your knowledge by mentoring a junior UX designer.

Browse courses on User Experience Design

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Find a junior UX designer who is willing to be mentored.
Set up regular meetings to discuss UX concepts and provide feedback.
Help your mentee develop their UX skills and knowledge.
Reflect on your mentoring experience and identify areas for improvement.

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of UX Design & Practical UX Research will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

UX Researcher

UX Researchers design, conduct, and analyze research studies to understand user behavior. If you are planning a career as a UX Researcher, this course is an excellent place to begin. It covers the research skills you will need in this role. You will learn how to plan user research studies and how to analyze your data. The course also covers how to write effective research reports.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Researcher

User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers plan, design, and evaluate digital products. This course on Fundamentals of UX Design & Practical UX Research is a great place to begin building a foundation in UX Design. You will learn how to use research to identify user needs. Additionally, you will learn how to create prototypes and user journeys. These are valuable skills to become a UX Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

UI Designer

UI Designers are responsible for the visual design of digital products. While this course is not specifically about UI Design, it will give you a strong foundation in UX Design, which is essential for UI Designers. You will learn how to create prototypes and user journeys, which are important skills for UI Designers. Additionally, the course covers the principles of design, such as color theory and typography.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI Designer

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for all aspects of a product, from its conception to its launch and beyond. This course will help you develop the skills you need as a Product Manager, such as how to conduct market research, how to design user interfaces, and how to manage a team of developers. The course will also help you to better understand the role of UX in product development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Content Strategist

Content Strategists are responsible for planning, creating, and managing content for digital products. If you are interested in a career as a Content Strategist, this course will help you build a foundation in UX Design. You will learn how to conduct user research, how to create user personas, and how to write effective UX copy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Strategist

Service Designer

Service Designers are responsible for designing services, which are a series of interconnected experiences that provide value to users. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a Service Designer. You will learn how to conduct user research, how to create user personas, and how to design service blueprints.

See salaries and explore the career path for Service Designer

Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers are responsible for designing the interactions between users and digital products. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become an Interaction Designer. You will learn how to design prototypes and user journeys, and you will learn how to use research to evaluate your designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Information Architect

Information Architects are responsible for designing the structure and organization of digital products. This course will help you build a foundation in UX Design, which is essential to Information Architects. You will learn how to create sitemaps and content hierarchies, and you will learn how to use research to evaluate your designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

Front-End Developer

Front-End Developers are responsible for the development and maintenance of the front end of digital products. While this course is not specifically about Front-End Development, it will give you a strong foundation in UX Design, which is essential for Front-End Developers. You will learn how to create prototypes and user journeys, and you will learn how to use research to evaluate your designs.

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

Back-End Developer

Back-End Developers are responsible for the development and maintenance of the back end of digital products. While this course is not specifically about Back-End Development, it will give you a strong foundation in UX Design, which is essential for Back-End Developers. You will learn how to create prototypes and user journeys, and you will learn how to use research to evaluate your designs. Additionally, the course covers the principles of design, such as color theory and typography.

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

Design Researcher

Design Researchers are responsible for conducting research to inform the design of digital products. This course will help you develop the skills you need to become a Design Researcher. You will learn how to plan and conduct user research studies, and you will learn how to analyze your data. The course also covers how to write effective research reports.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Researcher

Salesforce Administrator

Salesforce Administrators are responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining Salesforce software. This course may be helpful if you plan on going into Salesforce Administration. It introduces you to the principles of UX Design. In this career, you will need to understand how users interact with software. This course will help you develop this understanding.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Administrator

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. This course may be helpful if you plan on going into Business Analysis. It introduces you to the principles of UX Design. In this career, you will need to understand how users interact with products and services. This course will help you develop this understanding.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to inform decision-making. This course may be useful if you plan on going into Data Analysis. It introduces you to UX Research. In this career, you will need to use data to make decisions. This course will help you gather and interpret data effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for planning and executing marketing campaigns. This course may be helpful if you plan on going into Marketing Management. It introduces you to the principles of UX Design. In this career, you will need to understand how users interact with products and services. This course will help you develop this understanding.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager