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Introduction to UI Design

Joseph A Konstan, Loren Terveen, Haiyi Zhu, Lana Yarosh, and Dr. Brent Hecht

In this course, you will gain an understanding of the critical importance of user interface design. You will also learn industry-standard methods for how to approach the design of a user interface and key theories and frameworks that underlie the design of most interfaces you use today.

Through a series of case studies on commercial systems - many of which you likely use on a regular basis - we will illustrate the benefits of good design. We will also demonstrate how the costs of bad design can often be severe (in user experience, money, and even human lives).

You will then gain a high-level understanding of the user-interface design process. You will be introduced to common design scenarios - e.g. improving on existing designs and starting a new design from scratch - and the general design processes that tend to be used for each scenario.

Finally, we will begin introducing the large body of existing knowledge on design by providing overviews of core user interface design theories and concepts. This key foundational information will help you avoid “reinventing the wheel” when you are designing your interfaces in this specialization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction and Overview

UI Design Process

Psychology and Human Factors for User Interface Design

Psychology and Human Factors -- Continued

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines key user interface design theories and concepts, providing learners with a solid theoretical foundation

Introduces principles and frameworks underpinning the design of most contemporary user interfaces

Leverages case studies of widely used commercial systems to illustrate the advantages and pitfalls of both good and bad user interface designs

Provides a thorough overview of the user interface design process, catering to both novice and seasoned designers

Taught by renowned user interface design experts, ensuring a high level of instruction and industry insights

Explores the impact of poor user interface design, emphasizing the potential for severe consequences in terms of user experience, financial losses, or even safety risks

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Reviews summary

Well-received ui design course

Learners say this course is a well-received introduction to UI design. Students especially like the variety of viewpoints from the presenters.

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 UI Design with these activities:

Read UI Design Handbook by Joel Marsh

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This book is an industry-leading resource that will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the principles of UI design. It will help you understand the basics of user psychology, information architecture, and visual design.

View UX for Business: How to Design Valuable Digital... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Apply the concepts to your own UI designs.

Read Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug

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This book is a classic in the field of UX design, and it will teach you how to create user interfaces that are easy to use and understand.

View Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Apply the concepts to your web designs.

Complete the Coursera course on User Interface Design

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This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the principles of UI design. It will teach you how to design user interfaces that are both effective and visually appealing.

Browse courses on UI Design

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Watch the video lectures.
Complete the assignments.
Participate in the discussion forums.

Five other activities

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Join a UI design study group

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Participating in a study group will give you the opportunity to share ideas, receive feedback, and learn from others.

Browse courses on UI Design

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Find a UI design study group.
Attend the study group meetings.
Participate in the discussions.

Write a blog post about UI design

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Writing a blog post about UI design will help you to solidify your understanding of the concepts and share your knowledge with others.

Browse courses on UI Design

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Choose a topic for your blog post.
Research your topic.
Write your blog post.
Publish your blog post.

Attend a UI design workshop

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Attending a UI design workshop will give you the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and get hands-on experience with UI design tools.

Browse courses on UI Design

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Find a UI design workshop.
Attend the workshop.
Participate in the exercises.

Create a portfolio of UI designs

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Creating a portfolio of UI designs will give you the opportunity to practice your skills and build a body of work that you can show to potential employers.

Browse courses on UI Design

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Design a variety of UI elements, such as buttons, menus, and forms.
Create wireframes and prototypes of UI designs.
Get feedback on your designs from other UI designers.

Create a website using a UI design framework

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Creating a website using a UI design framework will give you the opportunity to practice your skills and learn how to use a popular UI design tool.

Browse courses on UI Design

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Choose a UI design framework.
Create a website using the framework.
Get feedback on your website from other UI designers.

Career center

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

UX Architect

UX Architects design the overall user experience of products and services. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles, user experience, and human factors. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a UX Architect.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Architect

UI Designer

UI Designers design the user interface of products and services. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles and user experience. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a UI Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for UI Designer

User Experience Researcher

A User Experience Researcher (UX Researcher) conducts research to understand user needs and improve the user experience of products and services. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of human factors and psychology, as well as design methods. This course will introduce you to these concepts and provide you with the skills you need to succeed as a UX Researcher.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Researcher

Interaction Designer

Interaction Designers design the interactions between users and products. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles, user experience, and human factors. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as an Interaction Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Interaction Designer

Product Designer

Product Designers design physical and digital products. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles, user experience, and human factors. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a Product Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Front-End Developer

Front-End Developers implement the user interface of products and services. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles and user experience. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a Front-End Developer.

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

Web Designer

Web Designers create and maintain websites. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles and user experience. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a Web Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Visual Designer

Visual Designers create the visual elements of products and services. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles and user experience. This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a Visual Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Designer

Quality Assurance Analyst

A Quality Assurance Analyst ensures that software products meet design specifications and are free of defects. To find and report on issues, they need to have a firm grasp of design principles. This course will equip you with the knowledge of industry-standard design methods and key design theories, which will help you succeed as a Quality Assurance Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles and user experience. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to improve their understanding of these concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Customer Success Manager

Customer Success Managers ensure that customers are satisfied with products and services. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles and user experience. This course may be useful for Customer Success Managers who want to improve their understanding of these concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Success Manager

Sales Manager

Sales Managers oversee the sales of products and services. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles and user experience. This course may be useful for Sales Managers who want to improve their understanding of these concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the development of products and services. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles and user experience. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to improve their understanding of these concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles and user experience. This course may be useful for Marketing Managers who want to improve their understanding of these concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and identify opportunities for improvement. To do this, they need to have a strong understanding of design principles and user experience. This course may be useful for Business Analysts who want to improve their understanding of these concepts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Reading list

We've selected 13 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 Introduction to UI Design.

How To Write Better Copy

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Provides practical advice on how to design user interfaces that are easy to use and understand. It classic in the field of user experience design and great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about UI design.

Introduction to UI Design

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Well-received ui design course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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