How Much is a UI Design Course?

There are many different factors to consider when you’re choosing a UI design course. One is the cost. Class prices can vary considerably, with shorter classes typically costing less and longer options being more expensive. This article discusses some of the different types of UI design classes and the tuition associated with each.

What Is UI Design?

When people use digital technology like web pages and apps, they interact with it through a user interface (UI). UI design is the process of creating that interface. UI Designers work with a variety of different elements, including buttons, images, and menus, and they strive to create a user experience that is both functional and enjoyable. Graphical user interfaces--used on computers and smartphones--are the most common type of user interfaces, however, there are also other types of interfaces. For instance, voice-controlled interfaces such as Siri and Alexa are becoming more popular.

UI Design Course Options

There are many different UI design course options. In most cases, the price depends on how long the course is and how much material it covers. The most expensive way to learn UI design is to earn a college degree, and this can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. Career-focused programs like bootcamps and certificate classes are another option. These generally cost somewhere between a few thousand and twenty or thirty thousand dollars. In addition to college programs and career-focused options, you could also learn UI design through a shorter live training class or an on-demand course. These types of classes are usually significantly cheaper, however, they are also a lot less comprehensive.

A College Degree

You’re unlikely to find a college offering a bachelor’s degree in user interface design, however, some people who want to work in this field start by earning a degree in design or computer science. Most degree programs cover a wide range of topics and will help you build a strong foundation in whatever you’re studying. A bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years to earn. However, college degrees are not cheap. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, for the 2022 to 2032 school year, the average cost of tuition and fees at a four-year institution ranged from almost $10,000 to more than $40,000 depending on the type of school, with public schools being less expensive than private ones. This makes college the most expensive way to learn UI design. For many people, pursuing such an expensive education means incurring substantial debts. 

Immersive Career-Focused Classes

If you’re looking for a comprehensive and focused UI design education, and college is too expensive and time-consuming, then you might want to consider an immersive, career-focused class like a bootcamps or certificate course. Career-focused courses are generally designed for beginners and they cover a wide range of skills in order to prepare you for an entry-level position in UI design. These types of courses are accelerated, and designed to cover a lot of material in a relatively short amount of time. They typically take a number of weeks or months to complete, and most cost somewhere between $5,000 and $30,000. Many career-focused courses also include career support. For instance, there might be a career coach who can provide resume and job search advice. Some courses even include one-on-one mentoring sessions. Other types of career support may include access to professional networks and internships. In recent years, career-focused classes have become a popular alternative to college because they are a way to get career-ready at a far lower cost than a college degree.

Live Training Classes

If you’re not ready to commit to a bootcamp or certificate course, another option is a live training class. Live training classes are a good way to learn some fundamental UI design skills, with guidance and feedback from an expert. Most can be completed in only a day or two. These types of classes will not give you the comprehensive education that you’ll need for a professional UI design position, however, they can be an effective way to gain some basic skills. They can also be a good way to get a better understanding of whether or not you might want to invest in a longer class in the future. Most live training classes cost a few hundred dollars.

On-Demand Classes

On-demand classes are one of the most inexpensive ways to learn UI design. With this format, you receive a series of pre-recorded lessons, and you progress through them at your own pace. Most on-demand classes are designed for beginners, and they provide a lot of flexibility since you can stop and start learning whenever you want. Since there is no live instructor, on-demand classes are generally less expensive; many are under $100. However, the lack of a live instructor also means that you can’t ask questions or get feedback in real-time. Most on-demand classes are not comprehensive enough for students who want to learn UI design at a professional level, however, they can be a great way to start learning some fundamental skills. 

Free Resources

If you want to learn UI design, you can also find many free resources online. For example, YouTube has free tutorials. Some schools also provide free resources so that students can get a better understanding of the topic before committing to a paid class. If you’re trying to learn a specific UI design application, like Figma, you’re also likely to find free resources on the website for that particular application. Free resources are a great way to get an overview of UI design, learn a specific skill, or troubleshoot a problem. However, if you’re serious about learning UI design and you want to work as a professional in this field, you’ll probably need to invest in a paid class where you can follow a comprehensive curriculum under the guidance of an expert. A class also gives you the ability to ask questions and get feedback, which can make the learning process a lot easier.

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.