When it comes to learning UI design, there are many different types of classes. Some are short and only take a day or two to finish, while others take weeks or even months. There are also classes designed for various levels of experience, from beginner to more advanced. In addition, you’ll find a variety of different class formats, like full-time and part-time courses. Finally, you’re also likely to find wide variation in class content. Keep reading for more information about some of the most common class options and how they differ from one another.
What Is UI Design?
A user interface (UI) is the space where a user interacts with a digital product or technology. UI design is the process of making sure that this interface is both aesthetic and functional. UI Designers work with a variety of different elements, such as buttons, images, and menus, with the goal of giving users an enjoyable and functional experience. They often use software applications like Figma to create designs, get feedback, and collaborate with members of a design team.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Course
How Much Experience Do You Have?
One of the most important things to look at when choosing a UI design course is what type of student the course is designed for, and whether or not that includes you. If you don’t know much about UI design then it’s a good idea to look for a class that is designed for beginners. Many schools offer beginner classes. In general, a beginner class will start with foundational skills and then move on to more advanced concepts. Beginner courses also come in different lengths. If you’re a beginner, a shorter introductory class can be a good way to get a feel for this field and see whether you’re interested in taking a more comprehensive course. If your goal is to become a professional project manager, then a longer course like a bootcamp or certificate program might be the right option for you. Bootcamps and certificate programs take weeks or months to complete and are designed to get you career-ready. If you already have some experience in the field of UI design, a beginner class might still be beneficial because it can refresh your skills and help you gain an understanding of new technology. However, on the other hand, a beginner class might be too slow, and an intermediate or advanced course might be a better option.
What Is Your Budget?
Budget is also an important consideration for most people. Tuition for UI design courses can vary widely. The most expensive option is usually a college degree program, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. This is also the longest type of program, typically taking at least a couple of years. A shorter and less expensive option is to enroll in a bootcamp or certificate course. These types of courses generally take months rather than years to complete and cost significantly less than a college education. They cover a wide range of different skills and run in an accelerated format so that you can learn as quickly as possible. Overall, they are designed to get you career-ready in a relatively short amount of time. Bootcamps and certificate courses can cost anywhere from about $5,000, up to $30,000. In addition to college programs, bootcamps, and certificate courses, there are many shorter UI design class options. Most of these classes won’t teach you everything you need to know in order to work as a UI Designer, but they can give you some basic skills and get you started in this field. Many shorter classes only cost a few hundred dollars.
How Do You Plan to Use Your New Skills?
When you’re comparing UI design classes, it’s also a good idea to think about how you plan to use your skills. If you want to work as a professional UI Designer, then you’ll probably need to take a comprehensive, career-focused course. A comprehensive course will start with the basics, and take you up to an advanced level. It is also likely to include a variety of projects where you can develop practical experience. In addition, many career-focused classes come with career assistance. For instance, you’re likely to get help building your portfolio. Other types of assistance might include tips on building a resume and interviewing for a job, one-on-one mentoring sessions, or access to internships. If you’re not preparing for a career, or if you’re not sure how in-depth you want to get, then a shorter program may be a good option for you. Shorter classes only take a matter of days to finish and cost less than the longer classes. They can be an effective way to start learning without committing a lot of time and money.
What Training Format Works Best For You?
A final consideration is training format. UI design classes typically come in many different formats, and the choice of which one is best will vary from person to person. Some people prefer in-person classes. This format tends to be the most engaging since you interact in person with your instructor and other students. It can also be easier to stay focused with in-person learning because you’re in an environment that is dedicated to learning and has minimal distractions. In addition, it can be easier for the instructor to see whether or not you need additional help. However, in-person learning is also the least flexible format. You have to commute to a classroom, and you’re limited to courses that take place in your geographic area. If you’re looking for a more flexible option, then you may find that a live online class is a good choice for you. Live online classes take place in real-time, but rather than traveling to a classroom, you attend by simply logging in via computer. With a live online class, you are still able to ask questions and get immediate feedback, however, you can attend from any location that you want. A potential downside to online learning is that you’ll need your own computer equipment and software.
Learn UI Design with Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop is based in New York City and offers a number of different UI design-related classes, with both short courses that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive programs that are intended to prepare you for a career in this field. Its classes can be taken in person at its Manhattan facility or in a live online format. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. All courses include a certificate of completion and the option of a free retake within one year.
One of Noble’s most popular UI design classes is the UI Design Certificate, which is a multi-week course where you’ll learn about composition, typography, color, interactivity, user interface elements, best practices, and all the other things you’ll need to understand in order to work in UI design. You’ll learn to retouch photos in Photoshop, use Adobe Illustrator’s drawing tools to create graphics, icons, and logos, and create UI designs and prototypes using Figma. You’ll also create a portfolio of website and app designs that you can show to potential employers or clients. This class also comes with eight one-on-one mentoring sessions that you can use to work on challenging concepts, review your portfolio, or receive professional advice about applying and interviewing for jobs.
Noble Desktop also offers a UX & UI Design Certificate. This course covers the fundamentals of both UI and UX design. You’ll learn how to conduct user research and testing. You’ll also learn to design digital products and build clickable prototypes using Figma. In addition, as part of the class, you’ll work on projects that you can include in your design portfolio. The class comes with six one-on-one mentoring sessions.
Another option is the Web Design Certificate, which includes instruction in UI design. In this class, you’ll learn to use Figma for designing UI, you’ll build websites with WordPress, and you’ll work on a variety of coding skills. You’ll also learn how to use Git to track changes in your code and to collaborate with other developers, JavaScript for animation and interaction, and Bootstrap for building layouts. Eight one-on-one mentoring sessions are included.
Noble Desktop also offers classes in Figma, which is a popular UI design tool. The Figma Bootcamp takes a number of days to complete. In this bootcamp, you’ll learn a variety of Figma skills including optimizing designs for mobile, tablet, and desktop screens, extracting image assets, designing on grids, and sharing designs with clients. You’ll also learn to create animations and build interactive prototypes. In addition, the class covers components, and working with team libraries.
Another Figma option is the Figma Masterclass, which will take you from a beginner to an advanced level. In this class, you’ll learn to create UI and UX designs for websites and apps, designing layouts that are optimized for various devices. You’ll also learn to build interactive prototypes, make animations, use components, work with team libraries, and use conditionals.
How to Learn UI Design
Master UI design with hands-on training. User interface (UI) design, also called visual design, is a kind of digital design that prioritizes making app and website interfaces look good to users.
- UI Design Certificate at Noble Desktop: live, instructor-led course available in NYC or live online
- Find UI Design Classes Near You: Search & compare dozens of available courses in-person
- Attend a UI design class live online (remote/virtual training) from anywhere
- Find & compare the best online UI design classes (on-demand) from the top providers and platforms
- Train your staff with corporate and onsite UI design training