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Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, Ideate is the second course in a certificate program that will equip you with the skills needed to apply to entry-level jobs in user experience (UX) design. In this course, you’ll complete the first phases of the design process for a project that you’ll be able to include in your portfolio. You will learn how to empathize with users and understand their pain points, define user needs using problem statements, and come up with lots of ideas for solutions to those user problems.

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Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, Ideate is the second course in a certificate program that will equip you with the skills needed to apply to entry-level jobs in user experience (UX) design. In this course, you’ll complete the first phases of the design process for a project that you’ll be able to include in your portfolio. You will learn how to empathize with users and understand their pain points, define user needs using problem statements, and come up with lots of ideas for solutions to those user problems.

Current UX designers and researchers at Google will serve as your instructors, and you will complete hands-on activities that simulate real-world UX design scenarios.

Learners who complete the seven courses in this certificate program should be equipped to apply for entry-level jobs as UX designers. No previous experience is necessary.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

- Empathize with users to understand their needs and pain points.

- Create empathy maps, personas, user stories, and user journey maps to understand user needs.

- Develop problem statements to define user needs.

- Generate ideas for possible solutions to user problems.

- Conduct competitive audits.

- Start designing a mobile app, a new project to include in your professional UX portfolio.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Empathizing with users and defining pain points
Get ready to begin the design process for a new portfolio project: a mobile app! This part of the course will focus on empathizing with users, which is the first phase of the design process. You’ll think through the needs of your potential users to build empathy maps and create personas. These hands-on activities will help you understand user perspectives and pain points.
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Creating user stories and user journey maps
In this part of the course, you'll continue to empathize with users of the mobile app you'll later design. You'll craft user stories and develop user journey maps. You’ll also learn about the importance of considering accessibility when empathizing with users.
Defining user problems
All of your work to empathize with users will help you define the problem that users are facing. In this part of the course, you'll move from the empathize phase into the define phase of the design process. To define the problem your designs will solve, you’ll build a problem statement, a hypothesis statement, and a value proposition. In addition, you’ll explore how psychology and human factors influence design.
Ideating design solutions
You're ready to move into the third phase of the design process: ideate. You'll consider everything you've learned about the users you're designing for and the problems they're facing in order to brainstorm ideas for design solutions. To help you come up with lots of ideas for design solutions, you’ll conduct a competitive audit and complete design activities, like How Might We and Crazy Eights.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops user experience (UX) design skills, which are in high demand in the tech industry
Taught by experienced and successful UX designers and researchers at Google
Provides hands-on activities that simulate real-world UX design scenarios
Covers the foundational phases of UX design: empathize, define, and ideate
Helps learners build a portfolio of UX design projects
May require learners to have access to design software or specialized equipment

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Reviews summary

Emphasizing user-centered design

Learners say that this course, titled "Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate" from Coursera, is largely positive. Students who provided feedback agree that the content is comprehensive and useful, and aligns with what they've learned from other reputable UX Design programs. They explain that the course is structured into three phases: 1. **Empathize**: During the empathize phase, learners research and collect data to understand the user's needs and behavior. This stage is critical to developing a deep understanding of the user and their challenges. 2. **Define**: In the define stage, designers use the insights gained during Empathize to define the problem they are trying to solve. They create a clear problem statement, which serves as the foundation for the rest of the design process. 3. **Ideate**: The ideate stage is where designers brainstorm and generate lots of ideas to solve the problem. The goal is to produce as many ideas as possible, without worrying about their feasibility. A common theme present among the positive feedback is that learners appreciate the course's practical nature. Practical components include group projects, peer reviews, and external readings. There is also a focus on assignments that help learners build their portfolio. While the course receives an average 4.2 star rating, some students expressed frustration with the peer review process. Some learners report that peer reviews are often of low quality and unhelpful, which can be a problem when these reviews are used to determine a student's progress. Others mentioned that they received poor grades despite submitting quality work, suggesting that the peer review grading system requires improvement. Overall, this course is well-received by learners. It is a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of user experience design, and it provides practical tools and techniques for each step of the design process - **4.2 out of 5 stars**.
This course is well-structured, with content that is easy to follow. The course materials are also well-organized and accessible.
"This course is well-structured, with content that is easy to follow."
"The course materials are also well-organized and accessible."
This course emphasizes user empathy, which learners say is crucial to UX design. They explain that it's important to understand the user's needs, behaviors, and pain points. The course provides valuable insights into various research methods and techniques for gathering user data, enabling learners to develop a deep understanding of user perspectives.
"The course emphasizes empathy, which is crucial to UX design. It's important to understand the user's needs, behaviors, and pain points."
"The course provides valuable insights into various research methods and techniques for gathering user data, enabling learners to develop a deep understanding of user perspectives."
This is a hands-on course, which learners say is beneficial to the learning process. They explain that the course provides practical tools and techniques for each step of the design process. There are also opportunities for learners to apply what they have learned through group projects and assignments.
"This is a hands-on course, which learners say is beneficial to the learning process."
"The course provides practical tools and techniques for each step of the design process."
"There are also opportunities for learners to apply what they have learned through group projects and assignments."
This course is self-paced, which allows learners to fit it into their own schedules. However, some learners report that they felt rushed to complete the assignments. Others mention that the course provides unrealistic time estimates for completing assignments.
"This course is self-paced, which allows learners to fit it into their own schedules."
"However, some learners report that they felt rushed to complete the assignments."
"Others mention that the course provides unrealistic time estimates for completing assignments."
This course uses peer review as a way to provide feedback on learners' work. While some learners appreciate this opportunity to get feedback from others, others express frustration with the peer review process. Some learners report that peer reviews are often of low quality and unhelpful, which can be a problem when these reviews are used to determine a student's progress.
"This course uses peer review as a way to provide feedback on learners' work."
"While some learners appreciate this opportunity to get feedback from others, others express frustration with the peer review process."
"Some learners report that peer reviews are often of low quality and unhelpful, which can be a problem when these reviews are used to determine a student's progress."

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 Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate with these activities:
Develop a User Profile Questionnaire
Create a detailed user profile questionnaire to better comprehend your target audience's needs and pain points.
Browse courses on Personas
Show steps
  • Identify your target audience
  • Brainstorm questions that will help you understand their needs and pain points
  • Determine the best way to distribute the questionnaire
Read 'The Design of Everyday Things' by Don Norman
Delve into a classic work on UX design, providing a comprehensive understanding of design principles and their impact on user experience.
Show steps
  • Read and comprehend the book's key concepts
  • Reflect on how these principles apply to your mobile app project
Complete the User Experience Design Tutorial
Enroll in an online UX Design tutorial to enhance your foundational knowledge and practical skills.
Browse courses on UX Design
Show steps
  • Research and select a reputable tutorial platform
  • Follow the tutorial modules and complete the exercises
  • Apply what you learn to your mobile app project
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Conduct User Interviews with Target Audience
Schedule user interviews to gather qualitative data and gain valuable insights into your target audience's experiences and perspectives.
Browse courses on User Research
Show steps
  • Create a list of interview questions
  • Recruit participants that fit your target audience
  • Conduct the interviews
  • Analyze the data and identify key themes
Engage in a Peer Review of Mobile App Prototypes
Organize peer review sessions with other students to exchange feedback on your mobile app prototypes, gaining valuable insights and improving your design.
Browse courses on UX Design
Show steps
  • Organize a peer review session
  • Present your mobile app prototype to peers
  • Receive and provide feedback
  • Incorporate feedback into your design
Participate in a UX Design Meetup
Attend a UX Design Meetup to connect with professionals in the field, share knowledge, and gain valuable insights.
Browse courses on UX Design
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant meetups
  • Attend the meetup and participate in discussions
  • Follow up with connections made at the meetup
Craft a Prototype of the Mobile App
Utilize a prototyping tool to create a clickable, interactive prototype of your mobile app, allowing you to visualize and test your design ideas.
Browse courses on Mobile App Design
Show steps
  • Choose a prototyping tool
  • Design the screens of your prototype
  • Link the screens together
  • Test the prototype with users
Volunteer at a UX Research Lab
Contribute to a UX Research Lab as a volunteer, assisting in user testing sessions and providing valuable insights into user behavior.
Browse courses on UX Research
Show steps
  • Research and find a UX Research Lab that offers volunteer opportunities
  • Apply for the volunteer position
  • Participate in user testing sessions
  • Provide feedback and insights based on your observations

Career center

Learners who complete Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
User Experience Researcher
**User Experience Researchers** conduct user research to understand their needs, preferences, and behaviors. This course provides a solid foundation in user research methods, including empathy mapping, user journey mapping, and problem statement development. By learning how to empathize with users and define their problems, you'll be well-equipped for a career in UX Research.
UX Designer
**UX Designers** apply their understanding of user psychology, accessibility, research, and design to optimize the user experience (UX) of a digital product or service. This course helps you develop essential UX design skills, such as empathizing with users, defining user needs, and generating innovative design solutions. By completing this course, you'll gain practical experience and build a portfolio project that showcases your UX design abilities.
Interaction Designer
**Interaction Designers** design and prototype interactive elements of digital products, such as websites, mobile apps, and games. This course introduces you to the principles of interaction design, including user empathy, user storyboarding, and competitive analysis. By completing this course, you'll gain the skills needed to create engaging and user-friendly interactive experiences.
Product Designer
**Product Designers** are responsible for the overall design and development of digital products. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the product design process, including user research, problem definition, solution ideation, and prototyping. By learning how to empathize with users and define their needs, you'll be well-prepared for a career in Product Design.
Information Architect
**Information Architects** design and organize the structure and content of websites and digital products. This course introduces you to the principles of information architecture, including user empathy, site mapping, and navigation design. By completing this course, you'll gain the skills needed to create user-friendly and accessible digital environments.
UI Designer
**UI Designers** design the visual appearance and layout of digital products. This course provides a comprehensive overview of UI design principles, including user empathy, color theory, and typography. By completing this course, you'll gain the skills needed to create visually appealing and user-friendly digital interfaces.
Content Strategist
**Content Strategists** plan and create content for websites, social media, and other digital platforms. This course provides a solid foundation in content strategy, including user research, persona development, and content planning. By learning how to empathize with users and define their needs, you'll be well-equipped for a career in Content Strategy.
UX Writer
**UX Writers** craft the words and phrases that users see in digital products. This course introduces you to the principles of UX writing, including user empathy, tone of voice, and information hierarchy. By completing this course, you'll gain the skills needed to write clear, concise, and engaging UX content.
Front-End Developer
**Front-End Developers** are responsible for the design and development of the user-facing side of websites and digital products. This course may be helpful for Front-End Developers who want to gain a better understanding of user experience design principles. By learning how to empathize with users and define their needs, Front-End Developers can create more user-friendly and engaging digital experiences.
Product Manager
**Product Managers** are responsible for the overall vision and strategy of digital products. This course may be helpful for Product Managers who want to gain a better understanding of user experience design principles. By learning how to empathize with users and define their needs, Product Managers can make more informed decisions about product development.
Technical Writer
**Technical Writers** create documentation for software, hardware, and other technical products. This course may be helpful for Technical Writers who want to gain a better understanding of user experience design principles. By learning how to empathize with users and define their needs, Technical Writers can create more user-friendly and helpful documentation.
Software Engineer
**Software Engineers** design, develop, and test software applications. This course may be helpful for Software Engineers who want to gain a better understanding of user experience design principles. By learning how to empathize with users and define their needs, Software Engineers can create more user-friendly and effective software applications.
Business Analyst
**Business Analysts** analyze business processes and systems to identify areas for improvement. This course may be helpful for Business Analysts who want to gain a better understanding of user experience design principles. By learning how to empathize with users and define their needs, Business Analysts can make more effective recommendations for process and system improvements.
Graphic designer
**Graphic Designers** create visual content for websites, social media, and other digital platforms. This course may be helpful for Graphic Designers who want to gain a better understanding of user experience design principles. By learning how to empathize with users and define their needs, Graphic Designers can create more visually appealing and effective digital content.
Marketing Manager
**Marketing Managers** develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. This course may be helpful for Marketing Managers who want to gain a better understanding of user experience design principles. By learning how to empathize with users and define their needs, Marketing Managers can create more effective marketing campaigns that resonate with target audiences.

Reading list

We've selected eight 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 Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate.
Provides a comprehensive overview of interaction design. It covers everything from the history of interaction design to the latest trends and technologies.
This classic book on design must-read for anyone interested in UX design. It provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of good design and how they can be applied to everyday objects.
Explores the role of emotions in design. It provides insights into how emotions can be used to create more user-friendly products and services.
Practical guide for UX designers who are working on their own. It covers everything from setting up a UX process to managing stakeholders.

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