An Introduction to User Experience (UX) Design Course
Product development. Learn the skills important to the product lifecycle.
Learn the basics of user experience design in this one-day, hands-on UX workshop environment. By the end of the day, you will have designed and created a mobile prototype. You will gain experience with core tools used in the UX design space and emerge with a high-level understanding of what user experience design entails.
The course focuses on applying some key UX design tools within the Double Diamond design framework, a proven UX framework in the design space, though the application of hands-on activities.
Seven UX design activities will be covered during the workshop. They are:
- creating a problem statement
- observing a user interview
- creating a persona
- defining a scenario
- collaborating to create a user journey mapping
- defining a workflow diagram
- designing a lo-fi prototype.
Please note, this course does not include instruction on how to use specific software applications.
Aims
In this practical hands-on UX workshop, you will learn the basics of user experience design framework, alongside working through a design challenge to create your own prototype. You will gain experience working individually and with a team, using a collaborative approach to UX design solutioning.
Outcomes
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- conceptualise fundamental UX design approaches
- identify the basics of the Double Diamond framework and apply them to any basic UX design problem
- identify UX tools such as personas, journey mapping and lo-fi prototyping and apply them in your own design practice
- put your practical experience which involves following a proven UX design framework resulting in a low-fidelity prototype into use.
Content
What is UX design?
High level conceptual look at UX design ideologies such as UX statistics and data driven design, and a brief discussion about how AI might impact the future of UX design.
UX approaches and tools
Overview of commonly used tools and proven UX design frameworks such as the double diamond design process and design thinking.
Design challenge activities
Defining the design problem
We will look at the design challenge and define what the problem is using the problem statement template. We will review the outcomes and examples of a competitor analysis, to assist in understanding the context of this task.
Defining the target audience and personas
We will identify the criteria used to define a target audience and user interview techniques by using a participant as the interviewee. Based on the outcomes of the interview, you will create your own persona and review the outcomes.
Creating a user journey map
We will define a scenario for the persona, and walk through an online user journey mapping activity using the tool Miro, or a whiteboard if delivery is face-to-face.
Creating simple workflow diagrams
Overview of workflow diagrams. You will create a workflow based on the outcomes of the journey mapping activity.
Creating paper wireframes and prototypes
You will mock-up a series of wireframes based on the workflow diagram and use the Pop App (time permitting) to create a clickable prototype on your smart phone. You can also use an online tool that you're comfortable with if you don't want to use pen and paper.
Intended audience
Suitable for anyone:
- starting out or interested in the field of UX
- working with UX designers who want a deeper understanding of the processes
- considering a career change and wants a taste of the UX design process.
Prerequisites
You should have basic computer skills before attending. The course content assumes little or no knowledge of UX design.
Delivery style
Delivered as a one-day introductory course combining theory with a practical and a guided workshop. Working individually and with a team, you will be challenged with creating a design solution for a specific problem.
Delivery mode
- Face-to-face, presenter-taught training, using your own device
- Online training via the platform Zoom
Face-to-face classes
You will need to bring your own device. Please ensure your device is fully charged as access to power is limited. Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
Online classes
You will need your own device with internet access.
Materials
Course materials are provided electronically using Dropbox
Please bring to class:
- a computer or laptop
- a mobile device to download Marvel POP app (done on the day – this is optional))
- paper to write and draw on (A3 & A4 preferred)
- black sharpies or black felt tip markers (this makes your work easier to read when sharing online)
- Post-it notes (optional)