UI design is an in-demand skill, and you’ll find a number of different bootcamps catering to the need for UI designers. UI bootcamps are accelerated programs that are designed to cover a broad range of skills and get students career-ready in a relatively short amount of time. They have become very popular in recent years. This article discusses some of the different bootcamp options, such as in-person and online formats, and part-time and full-time programs.
What Are the Most Important Criteria to Evaluate in UI Design Bootcamps?
What Will You Learn?
The most important thing to evaluate in regards to a UI design bootcamp is what you’ll learn, and whether that content will meet your needs. 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.
What Other Benefits Are Included?
In comparing bootcamps you can also consider whether they include any unique benefits. For instance, some schools--like Noble Desktop--give students the option of a free course retake. This can be an excellent way to refresh your skills for free. Many schools also offer a variety of career services. For instance, you might get help building your resume and portfolio, or tips on preparing for job interviews. Some courses include one-on-one mentoring sessions that can be used for career advice.
Enrolling in a UI Design Bootcamp Part-Time or Full-Time
When you research UI bootcamps, you’re likely to find both full-time and part-time options. A full-time course will allow you to progress through the material more quickly than a part-time one. In addition, some people say that they like full-time learning because they can focus exclusively on their education. However, a full-time class is not a viable option for everyone. For instance, some people need time for work and other obligations and opt for a part-time option. Part-time programs take longer, however, they do have some unique advantages. For instance, when you learn part-time you can spread out your tuition costs, and you’ll also have more time to absorb the new information that you’re receiving. Finally, when you learn part-time you may have the opportunity to gain related work experience, which can increase your chances of finding work when you graduate.”
Enrolling in a UI Design Bootcamp In-Person or Online
Bootcamps may also come in both in-person and online formats. Each format has advantages and disadvantages. In-person classes are the traditional way to learn, and many people find them more engaging. Instructors say that with the in-person format, it can be easier to see whether or not students need additional help. It can also be easier to focus in an in-person class because they take place in an environment that is dedicated to learning and has minimal distractions. However, in-person learning is also the least flexible format. When students learn in person, they have to commute to a classroom, and they are limited to courses that take place in their geographic area. For students who don’t want to commute, and are looking for a bit more flexibility, online learning can be a better option. Live online classes take place in real-time, but rather than traveling to a classroom, students attend by simply logging in via computer. With a live online class, students are still able to ask questions and get immediate feedback, however, they can attend from any location that they want. A potential downside to online learning is that students need their own computer equipment and software, and they also need to deal with any technical difficulties that arise.
Do You Want to Start a New Career Using Your UI Design Training?
Since most UI design bootcamps are designed to get students career-ready, they generally include a wide range of career support. In some cases, that support is built into the curriculum. For instance, class lectures might include information about successfully finding a job after you graduate, building a resume, job interview tips, and insight into employment in different design industries. Many bootcamps also include access to a dedicated career counselor that you can talk with outside of class hours to get more individualized advice on finding a job. Certain camps, like Noble Desktop, even offer a certain number of one-on-one mentoring sessions that you can use for career advice. Other types of career support that you might find through a bootcamp include access to internships and introductions to professional networks. In addition, when you take a bootcamp course, you’re likely to spend time developing a portfolio, which is a collection of your best work that you can use to demonstrate your skills to potential clients or employers. With a strong portfolio, you’re likely to have more success finding a job.
Which UI Design Bootcamp is Best For Me?
The decision about which UI design bootcamp is best will differ from person to person. It will be influenced by a number of different factors including experience, budget, and career goals. No matter what your needs are, however, choosing a bootcamp should start with gathering as much information as you can about cost, format, curriculum, and other benefits. After you have done your research, you can compare your options, and make an informed decision.
After comparing all of your options, you may end up deciding that a bootcamp is not the best learning path for you. For instance, you may decide to start learning UI design by taking a shorter class. A shorter class will be less comprehensive and career-focused than a bootcamp, but it may be a good way to gain some basic skills and will cost a lot less than a bootcamp. You might also decide to try teaching yourself some UI design skills, using free resources like online tutorials. However, if you’re considering that option, you should know that it is usually more difficult and time-consuming to learn UI design without instructor guidance.
If you do decide to enroll in a bootcamp, you’ll need to decide whether you want to attend full-time or part-time and you’ll need to choose between online or in-person instruction. Many different schools offer UI design bootcamps, and with so many options, you might feel overwhelmed in trying to choose just one. With this in mind, Noble Desktop created the Classes Near Me tool to help you narrow down your options. With this tool, you can search for classes in your area or those offered in an online format, and you can compare your options.
What are the Top UI Design Bootcamps?
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 ccan 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