The best UX design classes, bootcamps, and certifications

This UI design bootcamp is an immersive, hands-on course with live instruction. You'll dive deep into core design principles, learning everything from color theory and typography to layout, hierarchy, and interactive design. The course focuses on real-world projects that give you hands-on experience and result in portfolio-worthy designs. You’ll complete beautiful and functional user interfaces for websites and apps with personalized feedback from industry experts.

This advanced course is ideal if you’re already familiar with design tools like Figma, as it builds on those foundational skills. You'll not only master UI design concepts but also learn how to effectively use Figma to create visual prototypes and layouts. You can retake the course for free for up to one year, allowing you to revisit challenging material or brush up on your skills.

If you want a better understanding of what UX design is and how the process works, this primer will get you started. User experience is often seen as simply interface design, but it actually involves many moving parts that get to the heart of how the user feels and experiences their interaction. This class provides a blend of lectures, discussions, industry examples, and class activities to explore UX design foundations. This is a great way to get a better idea of the UX designer's role on a team and how they move from research insights to design concepts. 

You’ll explore the research methods used by UX designers, such as user interviews, observations, and heuristics, and learn common UXD terminology like personas, journey maps, and scenarios. You’ll learn how to use sketching and the iterative design process and how to document and present your work. Plus, you’ll gain practical skills by working on real projects. You don’t need any prior experience before taking this course.

If you want to work in UX, Figma is a must-learn tool. Figma is the most-used design app for UX. It’s built with the needs of a modern web designer, UX designer, or app designer in mind and makes it easy to create a working prototype and share it with your team. Figma uses frames, which you might know as artboards in other apps, to design web layouts for mobile, tablet, and desktop. It’s vector-based, so it scales to a variety of screen sizes, and you can export high-resolution graphics. Figma is a unique design tool that was created especially for UI and UX design. 

This class shows you how to create a design and turn it into an interactive prototype that simulates the finished product with adaptable screen sizes, navigation, and scrollable screens. You can even add animations to your design. You’ll learn to use components, styles, and variables to create flexible design systems, and advanced prototyping makes your functioning design more realistic. Figma is based in the cloud, so collaboration and file-sharing are easy. The class includes 18 hours of live class time with industry experts, as well as proprietary workbooks and a digital certificate of completion.

If you want to fast-track your Figma learning, this 12-hour course will get you up and running in just two days. The course focuses on hands-on projects and exercises that are proven to make it easier to learn and remember new skills. With expert instructors and an industry-leading curriculum, you’ll maximize your learning time in this course. 

This bootcamp shows you how to create UI and UX designs for digital use like websites and apps. You’ll learn to design adaptable layouts that work whether you’re on mobile, tablet, or desktop. Figma’s powerful grid system and components make designs easy to create, update, interact with, and share. To give your creations that extra punch, you’ll learn to make animations using smart animate. You don’t need any prior experience to get started on your UX career with Figma skills.

Having a team that’s skilled in the latest tools and techniques is essential, and in today’s competitive marketplace, businesses rely on UX design to attract and retain satisfied customers. If you want to get your workforce on the same page, there’s no better way than corporate training. You’ll ensure that everyone’s skills are leveled up across the board and grow their capabilities to meet new challenges. Corporate trainings are customized to your organization's needs, so you can dive into specific areas like design principles, user research, or usability testing or focus on essential tools like Figma.

You can create a curriculum that is as comprehensive or focused as you need. It can cover everything from creating intuitive user interfaces to conducting user interviews and testing prototypes. Expert instructors have years of real-world experience to share, and they guide class members through hands-on projects with personalized feedback. Reference guides, video tutorials, and real-life case studies round out the training so your employees will have everything they need to put their skills to work right away.

With corporate UX training, you have the flexibility to choose in-person sessions at your office or live online courses, so your employees can learn from anywhere. If it’s hard to get your team together at the same time, you can even opt for training vouchers that allow everyone to choose their own time to take classes. 

Private training is ideal if you want to focus on your individual learning or need help with specific features of Figma. It’s also an ideal solution if you need to attend training that fits around your schedule. Whether you’re new to Figma or you want to sharpen specific skills like prototyping, collaborative design, or UI layout, 1-on-1 tutoring focuses on your needs. 

When you set the pace, it’s easy to fit lessons into your busy life without committing to a full course. Each session is tailored to your goals, so you know you’ll learn exactly what you need to become proficient in Figma. Your Figma training will use real-world design projects to provide you with hands-on practice, and you’ll get personalized feedback each step of the way. This focused approach ensures you’ll build your skills and confidence.

UX, or user experience design, focuses on making things easier and more enjoyable to use. It’s the experience a user has when they are interacting with a company’s products or services. If you’re using an app, a website, or even a video game that’s inviting and easy to use, a UX designer is responsible. They make digital sites simple to navigate and fun to interact with, and they ensure everything works smoothly. UX designers make sure the buttons are easy to find, the colors and words make sense, and you can get what you need without getting frustrated.

UX designers help create things that people enjoy using by thinking about how it feels from the user’s perspective. UX designers may focus on more than just software or apps; they design the other experiences the consumer has, such as the marketing campaign, packaging, or after-sales support. At the heart of UX is identifying a user’s pain points and needs and making sure their design addresses them. A good UX design is accessible to a wide range of users, making the product accessible despite physical limitations. 

Learning UX is a smart move because it opens up opportunities in the tech-driven workplace. As businesses shift more services and products online, the demand for skilled UX designers is growing. Companies need people who can make websites, apps, and digital products easy to use and enjoyable. UX skills are useful in almost every industry, including tech, healthcare, e-commerce, and entertainment. No matter what field you’re interested in, there’s a place for UX design in it. 

UX design can offer new professional challenges and satisfaction. It requires a unique mix of creative design and strategic thinking, allowing you to dive into your artistic side while also working with data, research, and business goals. If you enjoy solving problems, you’ll find UX a natural fit. You’ll devise creative solutions to improve people’s interactions with technology and make websites, apps, and software more efficient, intuitive, and accessible. Many UX designers find their work highly impactful. They create user-friendly experiences that have a direct positive impact on people’s lives.

Once you’ve decided to add UX to your skill set, the next question is, what is the best way for you to learn? Everyone has a different learning style and personal needs, so consider how the options will suit you best. If you just want to explore the field of UX and get a baseline knowledge, or you have been working in UX but want to fill in some gaps in your knowledge, free resources can be a great option. You can find excellent books that offer deeper insights into UX concepts. You can also engage with online UX communities, attend meetups, and participate in forums to learn from others. Free videos and mini-courses offer both beginner-level introductions and high-level problem-solving. You can also learn a lot by tackling a personal project or redesigning existing websites using the skills you’ve uncovered. 

You might also consider self-paced online courses. Classes might explore topics like user research, wireframing, and prototyping. This is a flexible option if you want to learn at your own pace and revisit materials whenever you need to. If you learn best with structure and one-on-one support, you might have trouble getting past learning challenges with this approach.

Many people choose to learn UX by attending a bootcamp or certificate program. These intensive programs typically last a few weeks to a few months and provide hands-on training from industry professionals. You’ll work on real projects, collaborate with classmates, and receive valuable feedback. Bootcamps are a good fit if you want a structured learning environment that keeps you motivated and focused. Plus, by the end of the program, you’ll have a portfolio you can show off to potential employers, which is crucial for landing a job in the field.

With so many UX training options available, it can be tough to decide which format is right for you. Consider what type of learner you are and how you want to engage with your education. If you thrive on in-person interaction and like having a structured schedule, an on-campus UX program might be a perfect fit for you. You’ll have direct access to your instructors, and you can network with your peers. Alternatively, if you need more flexibility, live online courses let you learn from the comfort of home while still providing interaction with teachers and classmates in real-time.

UX courses also come in different lengths, and some go deeper into the material than others. It’s important to choose the right one based on your goals. If you’re making a career switch or you’re completely new to UX, a bootcamp or certification program might be the way to go. Bootcamps are immersive and fast-paced and give you hands-on experience that builds a strong foundation. Certification programs not only provide in-depth training but also give you a credential to add to your resume. On the other hand, if you’re just looking to explore the basics or add UX skills to your current role, a shorter introductory course might be all you need.

Another factor to consider is the level of support and resources you’ll need. Some UX courses offer personal mentoring, job search assistance, and portfolio development, which are especially useful if you’re transitioning into the field or want to advance your career. Hands-on projects are also key, as they help you practice what you’ve learned and build a strong portfolio. 

A UX bootcamp will teach you how to identify and plan for a user’s needs and abilities. You’ll learn to conduct user research to learn about users’ needs, behaviors, and challenges. You can use a variety of methods to do this, like interviews, surveys, or usability tests. The UX designer creates a user persona, which is a detailed description of a fictional typical user, to help guide design decisions.  

You’ll also learn essential skills for visual design. Along with principles like color theory, typography, and layout, you’ll learn to create wireframes that show the basic layout or structure of a page without any design elements. It’s like a skeleton of the design that helps you decide where things like buttons, menus, text boxes, and images will go. The wireframe helps you organize the content and features on the screen based on how your user might navigate through it. 

A UX class will help you understand the user experience and create a website, app, or product that is simple and enjoyable for them to use. As you gain UX skills, you’ll learn to apply them in broader areas and convey them to stakeholders more effectively.

Learning UX can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on how deeply you want to dive into it and the type of training you undertake. If you want a basic understanding, an introductory course might take four to six weeks. These courses may cover UX fundamentals like user research, wireframing, and usability testing, so you’ll have a good starting point.

If you want to become proficient with UX or make a switch to a new career, you’ll need a more comprehensive program. These bootcamps and certificate courses usually take three to six months to complete. These intensive programs cover everything from user experience principles to advanced design tools and techniques. You’ll often complete hands-on projects and build a professional-quality portfolio that will help you land a UX job.

Because the tech world is always changing, becoming a skills UX designer is an ongoing process. Even after you’ve completed your course, you’ll continue learning as you work on real-world projects, stay updated with industry trends, and refine your skills. 

You can excel as a UX designer with training that focuses specifically on UX design, but additional skills can help broaden your capabilities and make you more valuable in the workplace. These are some of the skills you could consider learning along with UX.

• Interface Design Tools: Figma is the most used interface design tool for UX. It allows you to design, prototype, develop, and collect feedback in a single platform. Figma makes it easy to communicate your ideas to stakeholders and developers and conduct usability testing. You may also be asked to use other interface design tools like Adobe XD, Sketch, or Marvel. 
• Graphic Design Software: When you’re ready to refine your design and create the final look and feel, you need powerful design software with extensive features. You can fine-tune typography, imagery, and iconography. Graphic design software also supports various file formats, so you can work with multiple assets. The downside is that these programs are complex and can have a steep learning curve. As you are continually learning and expanding your UX design toolkit, graphic design software is a valuable addition.
• Survey Tools: A survey is a set of questions used to collect information from your target audience. In order to understand your user, you need to explore their needs and viewpoints. There are several types of surveys you could conduct, but the main types you’ll probably encounter are qualitative, which uses fixed answers, and quantitative, which uses open-ended questions to collect more detailed feedback. Survey tools like Typeform and Google Forms make it simple to conduct user research. 
• Whiteboard Applications: UX Designers brainstorm and visually collaborate on ideas in a shared space. It can be done in person or using digital whiteboard software. Whiteboard apps like Miro and Whimsical help with diagramming, brainstorming, and defining user flows. This is an ideal way for team members to share ideas. 
• Coding: Much like an architect needs to understand construction to design buildable structures, a UX Designer should understand the skills that bring their vision to life, such as web development. When a designer understands the technical demands of the process, they identify solutions that can be implemented seamlessly. In some lean organizations, staff wear many hats, and learning coding can make you a more valuable member of the UX team.

UX design skills are used in a variety of jobs across many industries. The most obvious role is UX Designer, where you're responsible for designing products and experiences that are easy and enjoyable for users. This could include apps, websites, or even physical products.

Other roles that use UX skills include UI Designer (User Interface Designer), where you focus more on the look and feel of a product, making sure it’s visually appealing and intuitive to use. UX Researchers are another key role, specializing in understanding user behavior and needs through interviews, surveys, and usability tests.

Here’s a closer look at these roles in more depth:

User experience designer

Being the role individuals associate most with the UX field, UX Designers are the professionals who work to make sure the apps and websites we interact with daily are intuitive and provide us with a pleasant experience. It’s also common for UX Designers to work with physical products to ensure their functionality and user-friendliness for the organization's target audience. Their day-to-day tasks often include things like managing the process behind designing new content like websites or services, as well as conducting surveys and collecting information relating to the product's usability. This role will require frequent collaboration with other design team professionals, like UI Designers and Developers.

User interface designer

UI Designers, sometimes referred to as Visual Designers, are the professionals who create user-friendly digital layouts for screens and webpages. Their days are filled with daily hands-on design work, depending on the specific project, as well as developing wireframes and prototypes, testing responsiveness, and meeting with stakeholders to determine design expectations. Similar to that of a UX Designer, UI Designers also work on a team and must be ready to collaborate with other creative members. Some professionals in this role choose to freelance, while others secure traditional employment. However, roles and responsibilities can vary depending on company size and duties assigned. 

UX researchers

One subset of the UX Designer role is that of a UX Researcher. These professionals harness all of the same skills as traditional designers in this position but instead focus on testing and analysis tasks. Different research is applied at every step of the product development cycle, which is where these researchers analyze both qualitative and quantitative research delivered to designers. This is another role where it’s common to freelance and work with clients independently or seek employment with a business. Finding success as a UX Researcher requires knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, and UX design principles, as well as skills like critical thinking and understanding human behavior. 

Digital designer

Digital Designers also play an important part in shaping user experience by creating visual elements found on websites and digital products. UX Designers focus on the research and usability life cycle, while Digital Designers enhance these aspects by creating visually appealing and intuitive interfaces. Their work involves crafting graphics and layouts that look good and function smoothly. Digital Designers often collaborate with UX and UI Designers to confirm that the interface aligns with the overall UX strategy. In this way, Digital Designers complement UX processes by being a part of the process behind bringing prototypes to life.

Beyond traditional design jobs, fields like Product Management, Marketing, and Development also benefit from UX skills. Understanding how users interact with products helps teams create better strategies and improve user satisfaction.