Free online courseUX Basics

Course Description

If you're considering a career in user experience (UX) design or simply want to grasp the basics, the "UX Basics" course is an essential resource to help you get started. With a well-structured duration of 3 hours and 32 minutes, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to the vast field of UX. Located within the Design and Art category, specifically in the UX - User Experience subcategory, it brings forward critical insights and knowledge that will lay a strong foundation for any aspiring UX designer.

The course commences with an essential distinction between UX and UI, clarifying the specific roles each plays in the design process. It then introduces Don Norman, a pioneering figure in the realm of UX, through discussions on his term "UX" and his influential work, "The Design of Everyday Things." Norman's principles of human-centered design form a significant part of the foundational knowledge that the course provides.

One of the core elements of the course is the exploration of Jakob Nielsen's immutable rules of UX, as shared in his keynote addresses. These rules form a backbone for effective UX practices that every designer should internalize. The concept of design thinking, introduced early in the course, fosters a problem-solving approach centered on user needs and experiences.

Throughout the course, key aspects of user interaction and experience are extensively covered. These include Jakob's Law of Internet User Experience and the importance of managing interaction costs. The course addresses user experience dualities and elaborates on a series of UX slogans that encapsulate key principles and best practices. These slogans, numbering from 1 to 19, cover a wide range of topics including simplicity, clarity, data-driven design, usability, and user-centered approaches.

The "UX Basics" course also delves into practical elements of UX research and testing. It offers insightful guidance on when to use various UX research methods and provides a handy cheat sheet for quick reference. The process of creating personas and the nuances between prototypes and wireframes in UX projects are elucidated, ensuring learners understand the practical applications of these tools.

Key topics like usability testing, thematic analysis of qualitative user research data, and heuristic evaluation of user interfaces are covered, empowering students with robust methodologies to evaluate and improve design. Principles of design such as visual hierarchy, findability, and discoverability are also thoroughly explained to ensure learners grasp the importance of structured and intuitive design.

Further, the course highlights the benefits of design systems, the steps to start a new career in UX, and the preparation of UX portfolios for interviews. Specific lessons on usability, accessibility versus inclusive design, and creating effective UX resumes provide additional career-focused insights. Learners will also be introduced to the basics of user research, emphasizing its critical role in creating successful user experiences.

The "UX Basics" course is a treasure trove of knowledge, skillfully crafted to cover all fundamental aspects of user experience design. Although it currently has no reviews, its content promises to equip learners with a solid grounding in UX, preparing them for both immediate application and further specialization in this dynamic field.