User experience design, or UX design, is a process  used to create user-friendly, comfortable, relevant, and enjoyable products, services, websites, and applications for users.  Every business knows that customers may  never  visit their website or app again if they are  unhappy with their product, service, website,  or  app.  Hence, the demand for a UX designer is only on the rise. A qualified UX designer can increase profitability and sales and improve customer satisfaction.

Curriculum of a UX design course
Most organizations moving to an online platform require UX design specialists who ensure the company has a perfectly designed website, app, or platform.

No specific technical experience is necessary to become a UX designer, and many professionals switch to this field even later in their careers. Some relevant marketing, branding, graphic design, web development, or product development exposure can be beneficial. A person with any professional skill can transfer those to UX design, as they can understand a customer’s needs and expectations.

Some technical skills necessary for a UX designer include the following:

• Agile UX
• App development
• Design tools
• Mockup
• Prototype
• Usability testing
• User flow
• User research
• Visual design
• Wireframe

Some non-technical and other skills necessary for UX design include the following:

• Communication skills
• Time management
• Documentation
• Presentation
• Teamwork
• Collaboration
• Empathy
• Research
• Analysis

Those looking for a change can prepare for a career in UX design by staying in touch with the latest in the field and enrolling in UX courses. They can find courses targeting beginners and those with mid-level or advanced design skills. The courses will teach both the technical and non-technical skills listed above. Some courses also require students to collaborate on projects with others to enhance their communication, presentation, and teamwork skills. The different jobs available for a qualified UX design professional include the following:

• UX Design Intern
• UX Design Associate
• Senior Designer
• Lead Designer
• Product Manager
• Information Architect
• UX experience head

UX design course for beginners
UX Design courses prepare a learner with the necessary technical and non-technical skills relevant to a designer. One can find courses relevant to a specific industry and introduce the students to beginner-level tools, techniques, and methods essential for an entry-level job. Before joining a course, learn about the available jobs and growth prospects. Understand different UX tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, and Invision, which are used in creating prototypes, wireframes, and mockups. Use many free resources, like blogs and videos, to familiarize oneself with UX design fundamentals. Look for courses that offer certifications. Here are some of the most popular design courses for beginners:

• UX: The Beginner’s Course from the Interaction Design Foundation
• UI/UX Design from the California Institute of the Arts
• Introduction to UX Design from the UX Design Institute
• Hack Design’s Design Course
• Gymnasium’s UX Fundamentals

After completing the beginner’s course, a UX designer can start the UX design process, build low-fidelity prototypes, create storyboards, conduct UX research studies, and learn presentation skills.

Online UX design course
An online UX design course helps one save time and money and prepares one quickly for new career opportunities in UX design. They are more accessible, affordable, and flexible, and one can learn from anywhere worldwide. One can find many programs that offer online UX design courses starting from 50 hours to about 500 hours. These programs include lifetime access to course material, one-on-one mentorship, collaboration on real-life assignments, and job guarantees. One can also find online UX design courses for specific and advanced UX design skills like object-oriented UX, design thinking, usability testing, UX management, and visual design.

Some of the popular online UX design courses include the following:

• Google UX Design Certificate
• Springboard UI/UX Design Bootcamp
• Design Lab’s UX Course
• Coursera
• Advanced User Experience Designer Course by General Assembly
• Business Value Through User Experience by FutureLearn

UX design certifications
While a bachelor’s or master’s degree may take time, enrolling in a UX Design Certification program can equip a professional with specific skills required for a career in design. While a beginner-level certification can help a fresher get an entry-level job, the same certificate can help an experienced professional work in senior roles. The certification programs may last a few weeks or months, depending on skill level. A certification, after examinations, projects, or assessments, adds value to one’s resume and helps the hiring manager assess if one possesses the necessary design skills that they are looking for. Some of the most popular UX design certifications include the following:

• Google UX Design Professional Certificate for Beginners
• UX Design Immersive, a full-time certification for beginners
• Certifications from the Interaction Design Foundation
• Bentley University UX Certification Program

UX design schools
While looking for a UX design school, look for one that offers in-person, online, or hybrid programs. Understand the opportunities they provide for networking and jobs. Talk to peers and verify if they provide opportunities for collaboration with other experts in the field. Look for accredited schools, which increase the probability of better jobs in leading businesses. Compare their syllabus, curriculum, and fees so that one is sure about the return on their investment.

Some of the best UX design schools in the country include the following:

• Purdue University
• Uxcel
• Parson’s School of Design
• Austin Center for Design
• Springboard