User experience (UX) design is a rapidly growing field that offers professionals exciting opportunities in the digital space. This field requires a combination of research, problem-solving, and visual design skills. As such, training in UX design is essential for those looking to succeed in this field.Once you’ve decided to learn UX design, the next important question is deciding how you plan to learn these skills. Most students find that they learn better when they receive guided training, and there is no shortage of available options for students to receive guidance in their UX design training. To learn more about the different UX design training options and what advantages and disadvantages they carry with them, read on.

What is UX Design?

User experience design (UX design) is a field of web design dealing with how a website, application, or other digital product feels to its users. User experience design ensures that an application feels easy and accessible to operate. It is a heavily invested field in user behavior research, prototype testing, and data analysis. It is helpful to think of it as the more hands-on counterpart to its visually-oriented sister skill, user interface design. User experience design isn’t isolated to work on a single webpage or digital application and instead refers to a subset of data science that strictly examines user preference and behavior regarding web applications.

Read more about what UX design is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with UX Design Skills?

UX design skills will allow you to build better digital applications and contribute to a larger pool of knowledge that helps other Designers build better web applications. Whether one is working on individual projects or attempting to improve digital design as a whole, user experience training will help professionals build digital applications that are more user-friendly, accessible, and memorable than ever before. UX design is a particularly enticing field for anyone who feels that digital applications need to be doing more to respond to the needs of their users, as this is the field that gathers the data that demonstrates these needs.

Why Training Format Matters

There's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to learning UX design. Different formats appeal to different learners’ needs, depending on their prior knowledge and experience. There are several different formats available for training, including live in-person classes, live online classes, on-demand classes, and free learning resources. Here’s a comparison of the different formats to help you decide which one is right for you. 

Types of Training Formats

Prospective students can choose from three main types of UX design training formats. Each of these options has its own unique advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before deciding which route is the best for your learning needs. 

Live In-Person Classes

Traditional live in-person UX design classes are a great option for those who learn best in a structured, face-to-face environment. Sitting in class with other students and an experienced instructor can provide a great learning experience. Additionally, students have the benefit of being able to ask questions and receive face-to-face feedback from an experienced instructor. These classes can be more expensive than other options but are a great way for students to learn UX design in an immersive environment. 

It's important that students consider the time commitments that come with attending a live in-person class. Classes usually occur during normal working hours, making it difficult for those with day jobs to attend. Additionally, classes might only be offered once or twice a year in some areas, so the timing may be inconvenient for some students.

There are several in-person UX design classes for those who want to get the most out of their learning experience. Noble Desktop has numerous courses available in New York City that allow students to learn from experienced instructors and gain real-world experience in the field.

Live Online Classes

Live online classes are an ideal solution for those looking to learn UX design on their own time and who enjoy the convenience of learning remotely. These classes offer a more flexible way of learning UX design, allowing students to learn from any location with a stable internet connection. Similar to in-person classes, these courses still provide real-time instructor feedback and an interactive learning experience, but with the added benefit of remote access. 

The biggest downside to live online classes is that the lack of face-to-face interaction can make it difficult for some students to stay motivated and engaged. It can be harder for some to focus when they're not in a physical classroom, so it's important that those who choose this format have the discipline and focus on staying on track with their learning. 

Noble Desktop offers several live online UX design classes for those who want to take advantage of the convenience and flexibility of remote learning. There's a range of classes offered, from beginner to advanced skill sets, so students can find the course that best meets their needs.

On-Demand Classes

On-demand classes are a great option for those with busy schedules. These classes allow students to work at their own pace, so they can fit learning into their already-busy lives. Additionally, these classes often cost less than live in-person or live online classes and still provide students with quality instructional material.

The biggest downside to on-demand classes is that students don't have access to real-time instructor feedback or the chance to ask classmates questions. These courses are best for those who enjoy working independently and are able to stay motivated without an instructor or peers nearby.

Free Courses

Free online courses are ideal for those who want to learn the basics of UX design without committing to an expensive class. While these courses may not provide the same level of detailed instruction as paid courses, they can be a great way for students to get an introduction to UX design.

The biggest downside to free courses is that they don't usually provide a comprehensive overview of UX design or allow students to test their skills. Additionally, some of the content may be outdated or incorrect, as the content is not always regulated.

Depth of Training Formats

Determining what type of training format is best for someone depends on their individual needs and preferences. Certificate programs, training bootcamps, and introductory lessons all offer their own unique advantages and drawbacks. Discerning which is most suitable for your learning style and preferences can help you find the best program to achieve your goals.

Certificate Programs

A certificate program is an extended course of study that gives students a more comprehensive overview of UX design. These programs typically last several weeks and provide students with detailed instruction in the fundamentals of UX design. Certificate programs are a great option for those who want to gain a more in-depth understanding of UX design and are looking to move into a career in the field. While the cost of these programs is often higher than other options, they provide students with extensive material and instruction that can more adequately prepare them for a career in UX design.

Noble Desktop's UX & UI Design Certificate focuses on helping students understand the fundamentals of UX design, user research & testing, and prototyping. Over the course, students will develop the skills and knowledge needed to design effective user interfaces with high usability. The program’s comprehensive curriculum helps students understand tUX design fundamentals while providing real-world examples and projects to practice their skills.

Training Bootcamps

Training bootcamps are typically shorter courses focusing on a specific skill, such as coding or design. These courses are often offered in a condensed format, giving students the opportunity to learn quickly and efficiently. Bootcamps can be a great way to gain an introduction to UX design, as they often provide students with the basics needed to start in the field. These courses can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, so it’s important to understand the length of the course and its expectations before enrolling. 

Noble Desktop offers several specialized bootcamps that teach the fundamentals of UX design. These courses can be taken either in-person or live online and are designed to help students understand the basics of user research, testing, and prototyping. The Figma Bootcamp and the UI Design Bootcamp are great options for those looking to learn the basics of design and develop a portfolio of projects.

Introductory Courses

For those who want to get an introduction to UX design but don’t have the time or resources for a full certificate program, introductory courses can be a fantastic option. These courses are often available for free or at a low cost and provide students with a basic understanding of UX design. 

Noble Desktop offers several free courses that provide an introduction to UX design and other relevant skills. These courses provide a great way for students to understand the fundamentals without having to commit long-term. For those looking to master their skills quickly, the Sketch in a Day course is the perfect resource. And for those wanting an in-depth look at additional UX software, Adobe XD in a Day offers an extensive overview of this user experience design tool.

Learn UX Design Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers students many user experience design courses and bootcamps. These courses, available both in-person and online, offer in-depth, career-focused UX design training and are all taught by expert instructors in real time. Even taken online, these courses allow students to interact directly with their instructor in the classroom and during one-on-one mentoring sessions. The small class sizes ensure students won’t get lost in crowded lecture halls. In addition, students can retake any course they enroll in for free within one year. This means students can take their courses a second time to review lessons, cover material they found difficult, or get more hands-on user experience design practice.

For students looking to learn the basics of UX Design, Noble offers a UX Design in a Day, in which students will learn the basic elements of the UX design process. They will learn key terms and ideas, like personas and scenarios, and how to conduct basic user research and interview participants to receive feedback. They will also learn the basic process of sketching and building prototype applications for testing. This is an introductory course, so it will only scratch the surface of the tests and research work involved in UX design, but it is an important course for laying the foundation for more immersive training.

Students seeking a more detailed, career-focused training course can enroll in Noble’s UX & UI Design Certificate. This course prepares students for employment in the UX/UI design field and will provide students with hands-on experience building and testing user interfaces. Users will receive training in advanced research techniques, including conducting interviews, producing written user reports, and running surveys. Then, students will learn how to interpret this data so that they may return to their designs and iterate on them in light of the feedback. Students will also be given hands-on training in prototyping and design software like Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD. At the end of the course, students can build a portfolio of sample interface designs and user experience case studies. In addition to this portfolio, students will receive one-on-one career mentorship, and by the end of the course, they will be ready to enter the workforce in the field of user experience design.

Key Insights

• Several UX design training options are available, depending on your time and resources. 
• Free or low-cost introductory courses are a great way to learn the basics of UX design. 
• Advanced courses are available to help students master their skills and prepare them for a career in user experience design.
• Live online courses offer the same hands-on experience as in-person classes but with the flexibility of studying from home.
• Noble Desktop offers comprehensive UX design training in-person and online.