Are UX Design Classes Worth It?

Your time and money are valuable assets, and you owe it to yourself to find a clear answer to whether a UX design class is worth it for you before investing in a course or bootcamp. The short answer is that if you wish to pivot your current career or launch a new one into user experience design, then yes, a UX design class will ultimately be worth your while. 

A very rare few may be able to create a syllabus from scratch, build a professional portfolio, and research and write their first case studies independently. However, the vast majority will appreciate the guidance of a live instructor, set schedule, and structured learning experience of a UX design class when learning the skill set to a professional level and preparing to land their first job in the field. This article provides additional insights about the pros and cons of enrolling in a UX design class to help you make an informed choice that aligns with your needs, goals, and values.

Consider the Costs

If you’re questioning whether UX design classes are worth it, it may be because the price tag of some options may have given you some sticker shock. Comprehensive bootcamps and certificate programs can set you back thousands of dollars, so it’s wise to research your program options before making such a significant investment. 

If you’re sure you want to achieve a professional level of expertise in UX design, then this investment will more than pay off, thanks to the career you’ll be able to launch with the education you gain in a high-quality class. If you’re not yet sure if you will enjoy the work of a UX Designer or are still weighing the pros and cons of the occupation compared to other possible careers, consider exploring free tutorials and cheaper short courses and self-paced classes to help you decide if UX design is for you. Once you have committed to the career path of a UX Designer, a wise next step would be to compare the advantages and disadvantages of specific bootcamps and certificate programs to determine the best course for you.

Advantages of a UX Design Class

While attending a UX design class is a commitment of time and finances, many UX Designers will attest to their effectiveness in helping them launch their dream career. Read on to explore some advantages of attending a UX design class.

General Benefits

Attending a live class on any new skill has many benefits over studying the subject independently. A live expert instructor provides experienced support throughout the learning journey, including troubleshooting any difficulties and answering questions as they arise in real-time. A quality live class, whether in-person or online, helps students remain focused through the structure of a set schedule and a proven curriculum. The latter, along with clear instruction from a knowledgeable teacher, optimizes students’ understanding and retention of the course topic. With a subject as complex as UX design, these features make the educational experience remarkably easier than when undertaken alone and are must-haves for most learners.

Access to Design Tools and Resources

Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch are just a few of the tools UX Designers use in their work. They also rely on staples of Adobe Creative Cloud, like Photoshop and InDesign, to achieve their design goals on the job. Accessibility to these applications and other UX design tools can be a hurdle to learners, as the expense of all these can be significant. Luckily, UX design classes commonly provide students with these tools throughout the duration of the class, whether in an in-person computer lab, on their home devices, or both. Quality UX design instructors are eager to connect students with other helpful resources, such as templates and design, stock photo, and illustration libraries. You may also appreciate a UX design class that provides research, data analysis, and mind-mapping tools for use during your first case studies.

Learning UX Design Principles and Methodologies 

While you can theoretically teach yourself the tools of the trade, gaining a deep understanding of the foundational principles and methodologies of UX design is necessary for launching a career in the field. Nothing beats the value of an experienced and enthusiastic instructor when learning a skill set like UX design, as, in addition to ensuring you have a firm grasp on the tools, they can also teach you real-world methodologies and best practices used by UX professionals. Live instructors can also guide you through foundational professional UX design principles like user-centricity, hierarchy, and accessibility.

Personalized Feedback and Critique

Another major perk of learning UX design in a class with the guidance of a live expert instructor is the opportunity to receive personalized feedback and critique on your first UX design exercises and projects. A second pair of eyes belonging to an experienced designer and teacher can spot usability issues and inconsistencies that you may miss if working independently in your design process. These may include confusing information hierarchy, unclear navigation elements, or a lack of accessibility considerations. Your instructor’s insightful feedback can help you avoid these pitfalls while providing alternative design solutions to support you to new heights in creative exploration and refining your skills.

Collaborative Learning and Network Building

A career in UX design requires more than proficiency in the concepts, tools, and techniques of the field. Strong communication and collaboration skills are also a must for successful UX Designers, and the collaborative learning environment of a UX design class features opportunities to build these. While not every class provides the same opportunities for student discussion and teamwork, many create a space where students can work on projects and learn from each other’s diverse perspectives. A bonus benefit of forming these connections with peers is the organic building of a network of future UX design professionals, instructors, and sometimes other established designer mentors who can provide valuable career advice and insights.

Portfolio and Case Study Support

Landing your dream job in UX design requires showcasing your skills and experience to potential employers. A strong portfolio featuring impressive case studies is essential for demonstrating your design thinking and process and the results you can achieve. Comprehensive UX design certificate programs and bootcamps usually provide support in building a professional-quality portfolio and creating impactful case studies so students are ready to impress any hiring manager upon graduation.

Considerations When Looking at UX Design Classes

UX design classes have plenty to recommend them, but that doesn’t mean every course is an excellent option for every learner. Here are some factors to consider when assessing whether a class, bootcamp, or certificate program is the right fit for you.

Time Commitment

Enrolling in a UX design class requires a commitment of not only money but also considerable time. Determining exactly how much time you have to dedicate to the educational experience is essential before selecting a class. This way, you can ensure your schedule aligns with that of the UX design course you choose and avoid overbooking yourself. Live online and in-person classes feature set schedules, which many appreciate due to the added layer of accountability this adds to the learning experience. You will also need to consider the time commitment of homework for either class format and your commute if you opt to attend an in-person class.

Flexibility and Learning Pace

If you have time for a UX class but an irregular schedule, you may find that an asynchronous course is the best fit for you. Asynchronous classes are also known as on-demand courses and are hosted online without a live instructor. Any lectures are prerecorded, and students can do the coursework at whatever time best suits their needs. Self-paced is another term used to describe asynchronous classes in reference to the benefit they provide for those who prefer to set their own learning pace. However, others may find the fast-paced learning style offered by in-person and online classes more to their taste.

Identifying Your Learning Needs

It’s essential to be aware of your personal learning goals before shopping for a UX design class, as you don’t want to enroll in more or less of a course than you need. If you’re simply curious about the field and still exploring a few career options, a short introductory UX design class may be the most appropriate option for you. Or you may already be well acquainted with the principles of UX design but need to strengthen your skills in a particular application fast for a new job. In that case, a Figma bootcamp or Adobe XD short course will be the solution for you. On the other hand, if you are preparing to launch a new career as a UX Designer with little to no experience in the tools or techniques, a comprehensive UX design certificate program is the ideal choice to help you achieve your goals.

Is it Worth Enrolling in a UX Design Class?

Who will find it worthwhile?

If you’re passionate about UX design and dream of building a career in the field, enrolling in a UX design class is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment for you. A UX design class is the ideal forum for learning the tools, techniques, theory, and best practices to set you up for success as a professional designer. However, the benefits of a class for an aspiring UX Designer don’t end there. Mentorship from an experienced instructor, networking opportunities, and career support are all perks you’ll receive in a UX design class that will help you land your first job. Comprehensive UX design courses will also provide you with support in creating a professional-quality portfolio, a must-have for impressing hiring managers. A UX Design certificate program will also provide you with a certificate of completion, which you can feature on your resume and LinkedIn profile to verify your education and commitment to professional development. 

Who might find it worthwhile?

UX design certificate programs and comprehensive bootcamps are generally for those needing professional expertise to launch a new career. However, short courses in the field are potentially worthwhile for those curious about exploring UX design as a career but wanting to see what it looks like in practice before committing to a more substantial class. They’re also great options for those debating several design or technical career options.

Another group who may enjoy an introductory class to UX design are professionals working in adjacent careers. UI Designers, Web Designers, and some Product Developers are just a few who can significantly uplevel the quality of their work with UX design knowledge. This investment will pay off with happier users of their products and designs and an impressive portfolio that can lead to promotions and other career advancement opportunities.

Who probably doesn’t need a UX design class?

If you’re a casual website and application builder, you will unlikely need a UX design class to accomplish your goals. It’s possible that a hobbyist working on a personal project focused on significant user interaction may benefit from UX design training. However, most individuals building a mobile game or personal website can learn what they need about UX design from free online resources. 

Some professionals in other design sectors may wonder if they might benefit from adding UX design to their toolbelt by taking a class in the field. As previously mentioned, UI Designers and Web Designers can both level up their work with UX design training. Some Graphic Designers and Motion Graphics Designers may be able to apply what they learn in a UX design class to their work, but this depends on their work's specific scope. If you are a designer wondering if a UX design class is suitable for you, exploring free online UX design tutorials will give you a taste of whether additional user experience education will complement your current career path.

Learn UX Design Skills with Noble Desktop

Whatever your goals in learning UX design, Noble Desktop has a class for you. Their UX & UI Design Certificate program is an excellent option for those looking for a comprehensive program to prepare to launch a UX design career. Featuring 132 hours of hands-on learning, a free retake option, and one-on-one mentorship sessions you can use as career prep, this certificate program’s curriculum includes all you need to know to begin working in either UX or UI design. No experience is required to attend this UX design course, which is available on a part-time or full-time schedule. By the end of this certificate program, you will have a strong understanding of UX and UI principles, user testing, prototyping, and Figma and have a digital certificate of completion to verify this knowledge to potential employers. This certificate and the portfolio you assemble during the course will help you land your dream job in UX design.

If your UX design education needs aren’t as extensive as a certificate program, Noble’s UX Design Foundations is a primer on the fundamental principles and processes of user experience. This 12-hour course is ideal for you if you’re interested in exploring the topic to see if you may want to chart a career path in UX design in the future. Professionals working in adjacent careers may also use the UX Design Foundations class to strengthen their understanding of user experience so they can apply the concepts in their current work. Whatever the reason you may wish to master the basics of UX design and research, you can learn them through hands-on exercises, lectures, and discussions in this UX design class.

Noble Desktop also provides short courses and bootcamps in individual UX design tools, such as the Figma Bootcamp. If your next step in your UX design learning journey is to learn Figma quickly and thoroughly, this 12-hour course can equip you to succeed with the industry-standard software. In this class, you’ll learn how to use the powerful application to create user-friendly layouts, build interactive prototypes, make animations, and perform other vital steps of the UX design process. Tuition for this class covers Noble’s proprietary workbook, a free retake option, and a verified certificate of completion.