Adobe XD Course: Introduction

Adobe XD. Design, prototype and share.

COVID-19 update: arrangement of our courses

We are now delivering courses both online and in-person. Please check the delivery format for each class before you enrol.

Please note that course materials for all classes (excluding prescribed textbooks) are shared electronically within 48 hours of a course starting. Printing is not available.

XD (Experience Design) is the go-to user experience design software application used to create prototypes for mobile apps and websites.

This one-day Adobe XD introductory training course is designed to give you comprehensive knowledge of Adobe XD and the confidence to create prototyping wire frames for more effective user testing. No prior experience using the software is required before attending.

Outcomes

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

• recognise the fundamental aspects of Adobe XD
• create and use Artboards
• work with UI and wireframe kits
• create and use Masks
• work with Point and Are type
• create and edit Vector Shapes
• use the repeat grid function
• create and work with Symbols
• export Assets
• use comments to get feedback.

Content

Introduction to Adobe Experience Design (XD)

• Overview of User Experience Design (UX) vs User Interface Design (UI)
• Understanding common file formats
• Working with the Design and Prototype views
• Navigating around the user interface

Setting up a Project

• Creating Artboards
• Arranging, editing and deleting Artboards
• Creating additional screens for different display sizes and platforms
• Adding layout and square grids

UI Kits

• Exploring Apple, Google and Microsoft user interface kits

Creating graphics in Adobe Experience Design

• Creating and combining simple shapes
• Setting appearance attributes
• Controlling corner radius values
• Solid fill colours, gradient fills, strokes
• Adding drop-shadows & background Blurs
• Drawing with the Pen Tool
• Editing points and paths
• Creating and editing Symbols
• Linked symbols

Adding Text to your Design

• Create and Format Text
• Using Typekit fonts
• Saving Character Styles

Adding assets from other sources

• Importing Images
• Importing SVG files
• Masking techniques
• Open a layered Adobe Photoshop file
• Using Illustrator vector graphics

Creating accurate layouts

• Aligning and positioning Objects
• Layers panel overview
• Creating a Repeat Grid

Responsive Resize

• Resize designs for different screen sizes
• Set automatic and manual object constraint properties
• Grouping elements to constrain fixed and variable properties

Prototyping – adding interactivity

• Wireframes to interactive prototypes
• Link and unlink screens
• Setting screen triggers
• Adding interactions to elements
• Adjusting easing and duration properties
• Auto-animate
• Timed animation transitions
• Prototype drag gestures
• Overlays for side menus and keyboards
• Preserve Scrolling
• Fixed elements
• Voice triggers and speech commands

Testing your Project

• Previewing designs in the preview window or on mobile device
• Recording the user experience as a .mov file

Sharing your Project

• Share a public or private prototype
• Allow comments and hotspots
• Publish design Specs
• Extract and download Asserts for developers

Export Project and asserts

• Exporting artwork for Web, IOS and android devices
• Save Artboards as .png .svg and .pdf files
• Batch Export
• Exporting to After Effects
• Extend Adobe XD with plugin

Designing and prototyping your own Project

• Creating your own project
• Adding graphics and text
• Testing and sharing your project
• Exporting your project

Intended audience

Suitable for anyone wanting to learn the fundamentals of Adobe XD. It is designed to give you the confidence to start creating and prototyping user experiences for mobile apps and websites.

This course may particularly benefit UX and UI professionals, as well as those in marketing and communications who want to have a hands on role in mobile app development, or those wanting to get a job in User Experience Design (UX).

Prerequisites

No prior knowledge of the software is required prior to attending, however you should be familiar with personal computers and the use of a keyboard and a mouse.

Delivery style

Delivery options:

• Presenter-taught computer-based training in a computer lab on University premises. You will have dedicated access to a computer so you can follow the instructor and work through in-class activities.
• Online training via the platform Zoom.

Materials

You will be provided with a link to access and download your own eBook prior to class.

Additional information

Face-to-face classes

These classes run in a computer lab and you do not need to bring your own device.

Please come to class with an existing username and password to access your own Adobe XD account. You can visit the Adobe website to set up an account.

Please bring a USB flash drive to class if you would like to make a copy of your work or any relevant class materials. Alternatively, you can save these to a cloud storage space or email them to your personal email address.

Online classes

If you are attending an online class, you will need your own device.

Please come to class with an existing username and password to access your own Adobe XD account. You can visit the Adobe website to set up an account.

Recommended operating system: Windows or Mac
Required software: Adobe Creative Cloud (login and password required)
Recommended browser: n/a