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.