Veena Sankaranarayanan
Senior UX designer
I learnt a good deal from various lesson items and design examples. I also appreciate how repeating key topics helped me memorise them and k...
User Experience: The Beginner's Guide v1
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Beginner
User experience, or UX, has been a buzzword since about 2005. Chances are, you’ve heard of the term, or even have it on your portfolio. But your understanding of what the term “user experience” means might be wrong—or, more accurately, insufficient.
“[User experience] is used by people to say ‘I’m a user experience designer, I design websites’, or ‘I design apps.’ And they have no clue as to what they’re doing, and they think the experience is that simple device, the website, or the app, or who knows what. No! It’s everything—it’s the way you experience the world, it’s the way you experience your life, it’s the way you experience the service. Or, yeah, an app or a computer system. But it’s a system that’s everything.”
— Don Norman, pioneer and inventor of the term “user experience”1
Most people fail to see the whole picture of “user experience.” And when you can’t see the forest for the trees, you’re missing a lot of factors that help to create an optimal user experience. That’s why having a comprehensive understanding of the entire umbrella of “user experience” is critical, backed with solid theory—especially since customer intelligence agency Walker predicts that experience will overtake price and product as the key brand differentiator by 20202.
Through this course, you will gain a thorough understanding of the various design principles that come together to create a user’s experience of using a product or service. Through this, you’ll learn how to design a product or service properly, one that will avoid any design pitfalls that blight your competitors’ offerings.
What you will learn
- Areas of study categorized under the umbrella of “user experience”
- The separately conceived yet converging design principles established over the last four decades
- Some of the psychology underlying these principles
- Key concepts within the subject
- A number of the cognitive processes underlying human-computer interaction
- The role of visual perception in the viewing experience
- Examples of good and bad design to help you avoid common mistakes
- The importance of usability over aesthetics
Who should take this course
This is a beginner-level course suitable for newcomers and experienced practitioners alike:
- UX designers looking to boost their work experience with evidence-based theoretical knowledge
- Project managers who want to build user-centered products that stand out from the competition
- Software engineers interested in understanding important design concepts such as usability and human-computer interaction
- Entrepreneurs who want to gain a deep understanding of “user experience” in order to ship the best products
- Marketers looking to gain a holistic view of what constitutes a user’s experience with a product or brand
- Newcomers to design who are considering making a switch to UX design
Courses in the Interaction Design Foundation are designed to contain comprehensive, evidence-based content, while ensuring that the learning curve is never too steep. All participants will have the opportunity to share ideas, seek help with tests, and enjoy the social aspects afforded by our open and friendly forum.
Learn and work with a global team of designers
When you take part in this course, you will join a global multidisciplinary team working on the course and the exercises at the same time as you. You will work together to improve your skills and understanding. Your course group will be made up of an incredibly diverse group of professionals, all of whom have the same objective—to become successful designers. It’s your chance to learn, grow, and network with your peers across the planet.
1 Don Norman: The term “UX”, YouTube
2 Customers 2020, Walker
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Is This Course Right for You?
- You want to land a job in design – or get a promotion.
- You want to learn real-world design skills that are valuable in any job and any industry.
- You want timeless human-centered skills AI cannot replace and turn AI into your superpower.
- You're tired of wasting time on influencers and want to learn from real experts.
- You want actual career outcomes, like increasing your salary potential and job opportunities.
Loved by People Around the World
Evgeni Manov
UX Researcher and Designer
The quality of information provided surprised me!! Good job IDF!! Keep moving forward!
Donato Colatorti
Software Developer
I'm very happy to have concluded this course. I learnt lot of interesting things... so thank you!
Your New Life. Starts Now
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Design a life and career you love. Industry leaders from Adobe, Google, and NASA guide you step-by-step. Design skills help you grow in any job, any industry.
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Turn AI Into Your Superpower
IxDF teaches you the human-centric skills AI cannot replace and how to turn AI into your superpower.
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Your New Life. Postponed Forever
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With IxDF
Course Overview:
- Each week, one lesson becomes available.
- Study flexibly. Take as much time as you want.
- 90h, 52m over 11 weeks (est.).
Lesson 0: Welcome and Introduction
To be scheduled. Estimated time to complete: 1 hour, 44 mins.
Lesson 1: User Experience: An Introduction and Key Concepts
To be scheduled. Estimated time to complete: 17 hours, 31 mins.
Lesson 2: User Interface Design Guidelines
To be scheduled. Estimated time to complete: 13 hours, 21 mins.
Lesson 3: The Gestalt Principles of Perceptual Organisation
To be scheduled. Estimated time to complete: 9 hours, 49 mins.
Lesson 4: Visual Perception and Colour Vision
To be scheduled. Estimated time to complete: 13 hours, 36 mins.
Lesson 5: Usability Considerations
To be scheduled. Estimated time to complete: 14 hours, 55 mins.
Lesson 6: User Error: Who is to blame?
To be scheduled. Estimated time to complete: 4 hours, 40 mins.
Lesson 7: Usability Testing and Evaluation
To be scheduled. Estimated time to complete: 8 hours, 30 mins.
Lesson 8: Inspection Methods: Practice and Application
To be scheduled. Estimated time to complete: 3 hours, 0 mins.
Lesson 9: Usability Testing: Practical Application
To be scheduled. Estimated time to complete: 5 hours, 30 mins.
Lesson 10: IxDF Course Certificate and Course Wrap-up
To be scheduled. Estimated time to complete: 13 mins.
Start Today
- Get unlimited access to all 40 self-paced courses, at no extra cost.
- Learn human-centric skills AI cannot replace and how to turn AI into your superpower.
- Build your salary potential with industry-recognized certificates.
- 1,146,309 enrollments and counting.
Questions? We've Got Answers
Why are design skills so important right now?
Why are design skills so important right now?
Design skills are incredibly valuable for both you personally and for your company.
For you personally, design skills are important because:
Salaries for people who learn design are soaring, surpassing $200K in cities like San Francisco, with global job growth rates at 13%.
Many of your job competitors already possess design skills. When you enhance your design skills you can significantly elevate your personal brand and make you a more attractive candidate.
You learn skills that protect you from losing your job to AI.
You can ignite your passion through design and leverage it to make a meaningful impact.
For your company, design skills are important because:
Your design skills can help increase sales, keep customers loyal, and turn them into powerful advocates of your company. That’s because design is all about helping people reach their goals and meet their needs.
Companies that invest in design outperform the S&P 500 Index by a whopping 228%.
Design goes way beyond creating attractive visuals and aesthetics. When you possess design skills you’re equipped to revolutionize businesses, make technology more user-friendly, and innovate customer experiences and systems.
I’m not a designer. Why should I learn design and tech?
I’m not a designer. Why should I learn design and tech?
Design and tech skills can make you an indispensable asset to your company and open up career opportunities.
For example, if you’re in a field such as:
Marketing, Communication and HR
Software Development
Customer Service
Business
Psychology
Project Management
Architecture
Content Creation
Healthcare
Teaching
And other fields
Why can design skills make you valuable in all these jobs and industries?
That’s because design skills are incredibly valuable for both you personally and for your company.
For you personally, design skills are important because:
Salaries for people who learn design are soaring, surpassing $200K in cities like San Francisco, with global job growth rates at 13%.
Many of your job competitors already possess design skills. When you enhance your design skills you can significantly elevate your personal brand and make you a more attractive candidate.
You learn skills that protect you from losing your job to AI.
You can ignite your passion through design and leverage it to make a meaningful impact.
For your company, design skills are important because:
Your design skills can help increase sales, keep customers loyal, and turn them into powerful advocates of your company. That’s because design is all about helping people reach their goals and meet their needs.
Companies that invest in design outperform the S&P 500 Index by a whopping 228%.
Design goes way beyond creating attractive visuals and aesthetics. When you possess design skills you’re equipped to revolutionize businesses, make technology more user-friendly, and innovate customer experiences and systems.
How can design skills protect me from losing my job to AI?
How can design skills protect me from losing my job to AI?
AI is killing jobs in all industries. Humanity has never faced such a powerful force, developing at an exponential speed.
You can protect yourself by learning design: You’ll use the very fabric of being human, like empathy and intuition. AI never can never replace that. These skills are timeless and will stay with you forever.
Design is centered on human needs and goals. That’s why you can protect your future with the power of human-centered design. Mastering these skills can shield you from AI-driven disruptions.
We’ll even teach you how to use AI as your career helper, not your terminator.
Who is this course for?
Who is this course for?
Whether you’re new to design and tech, or looking to skill up, this course will give you a comprehensive learning experience.
This course is right for you if:
You want to learn real-world design skills that are useful in any job and any industry.
You want to learn skills that protect you from losing your job to AI.
You’re tired of wasting time on influencers and want to learn from real experts.
You want actual career outcomes, like increasing your salary potential and job opportunities.
You want to build your credibility by getting credible evidence of your skills with an industry-recognized IxDF Course Certificate.
You want to ignite your passion for design and leverage it to make a meaningful impact.
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced professional, you'll discover how design skills can transform your results in problem-solving, innovation, and communication.
Do I need any prior experience in design or tech?
Do I need any prior experience in design or tech?
Good news!
You don’t need any prerequisites or prior experience in design or tech. We’ve crafted the learning experience to ensure your success and real career outcomes, regardless of your age or background.
Will this course give me hands-on, job-ready skills and help me build my portfolio?
Will this course give me hands-on, job-ready skills and help me build my portfolio?
Yes! You'll gain fluency in design processes and get job-ready, hands-on skills you can apply immediately.
This course makes it easy for you with templates and step-by-step guides. We've spent 22 years building a goldmine of 100+ downloadable templates, across all courses, so you can easily present to managers and clients. All licensed for commercial use so you can fast-track your promotion.
You’ll learn to easily build an impressive portfolio when you take this course. That way, you can showcase your skills, build your brand, and become in-demand.
What are the professional backgrounds of people who take this course?
What are the professional backgrounds of people who take this course?
People who take this course come from diverse backgrounds:
Marketing, Communication and HR
Software Development
Customer Service
Business
Psychology
Project Management
Architecture
Content Creation
Healthcare
Teaching
And other fields
If you're interested in design and tech, mastering new design and tech skills can increase your salary potential, make you an indispensable asset to your company and open up numerous career opportunities.
This course will enable you to harness the power of design to build a better world and advance your career, making you an invaluable asset in any field.
When I pay for an IxDF course, what do I get?
When I pay for an IxDF course, what do I get?
You get unlimited access to all IxDF courses at no extra cost. Take as many courses as you want without paying extra.
In addition, you get:
Courses by real experts, not influencers.
Industry-recognized IxDF Course Certificates to build your credibility and salary potential.
Full flexibility in how you learn: Effortlessly while on your sofa or on a park bench during the weekend.
Skills that protect you from losing your job to AI.
Downloadable templates to instantly apply your new real-world skills and help your projects succeed.
An easy way to compile an impressive portfolio.
Instant help and career advice in IxDF online global communities. Your network is your net worth.
Full access to IxDF Local Groups where you can build your network, find your next job, have fun and learn from your peers. The meetings are completely optional and are spread across over 500 cities worldwide.
Get our insights, present them as your own.
Grading by experts, not machines.
Access on all devices. 100% online.
Permanent access to course material during membership.
Downloadable premium literature by 100+ leading designers.
Discounts on design tools.
1-hour Master Classes by global design leaders to fast-track your growth. Binge-watch them on-demand from your sofa. Stay updated, stay inspired.
Can I work full-time while I take a course?
Can I work full-time while I take a course?
Absolutely! You’ll always have time for career growth because our self-paced courses are designed to fit seamlessly into your life. You’ll never have to say, “I don’t have time for that”.
You can learn at your own comfortable pace. Anytime and anywhere, whether you're working full-time or juggling life and kids.
Many IxDF learners effortlessly enjoy our courses during their commute, while relaxing on their sofa, or even on a park bench during the weekend.
Dive in whenever it suits you and progress at a speed that feels just right for you.
Will I receive a Certificate?
Will I receive a Certificate?
Yes! After you finish, you’ll receive an industry-recognized IxDF Certificate.
Use your IxDF Certificates to increase your credibility and salary potential. Your employer and clients will trust you when you can prove that you’ve learned from the best.
Be in distinguished company, alongside industry leaders who train their teams with the IxDF and trust IxDF Certificates.
Add IxDF Certificates to your LinkedIn profile, resumé and job application in a few easy steps.
You can download your certificates as .jpg files, so they are easy to share. Certificates are always valid.
How are courses graded?
How are courses graded?
Unlike any other online course platform we know of, our grading is done by experts, not machines.
We're not one of those generic, "cover-it-all" course platforms, packed with poorly produced videos on endless topics.
Our experts ensure you receive feedback and maximum benefit from the entire process.
That’s also one of the reasons IxDF Course Certificates are credible and industry-recognized.
Can I take more than one course at a time?
Can I take more than one course at a time?
Yes! You get unlimited access to all IxDF courses at no extra cost.
For example, if there are 40 courses open for enrollment, you can enroll in all 40 courses at the same time and move from one to another as you prefer. Use our IxDF Career Programs to help you choose the very best courses for you.
If you’re a student member, you can take a maximum of two courses at the same time. You can still take as many courses as you would like – free of extra charges – just as long as you finish them so that you don’t have more than two ongoing courses.
Are all the courses really free for members?
Are all the courses really free for members?
Yes! You get unlimited access to all IxDF courses at no extra cost. Take as many courses as you want without paying extra.
As a member you get:
Courses by real experts, not influencers.
Industry-recognized IxDF Course Certificates to build your credibility and salary potential.
Full flexibility in how you learn: Effortlessly while on your sofa or on a park bench during the weekend.
Skills that protect you from losing your job to AI.
Downloadable templates to instantly apply your new real-world skills and help your projects succeed.
An easy way to compile an impressive portfolio.
Instant help and career advice in IxDF online global communities. Your network is your net worth.
Full access to IxDF Local Groups where you can build your network, find your next job, have fun and learn from your peers. The meetings are completely optional and are spread across over 500 cities worldwide.
Get our insights, present them as your own.
Grading by experts, not machines.
Access on all devices. 100% online.
Permanent access to course material during membership.
Downloadable premium literature by 100+ leading designers.
Discounts on design tools.
1-hour Master Classes by global design leaders to fast-track your growth. Binge-watch them on-demand from your sofa. Stay updated, stay inspired.
How do I add the IxDF Certificate to my LinkedIn profile?
How do I add the IxDF Certificate to my LinkedIn profile?
That's easy! You can use your IxDF Certificates to increase your credibility and salary potential. Your employer and clients will trust you when you can prove that you’ve learned from the best.
Add your IxDF Certificates to your LinkedIn profile, resumé and job application in a few easy steps:
Click “Add profile section” on your LinkedIn
Tap “Recommended”
Select “Add licenses or certifications”
Enter your IxDF Certificate details
Hit “Save”
You can download your IxDF Certificates as .jpg files, so they are easy to share. IxDF Certificates are always valid.
Need more detailed instructions?
How long does it take to complete this course?
How long does it take to complete this course?
You can see the estimated total learning time just above.
But remember, it’s entirely up to you! You can learn at your own comfortable pace. Anytime and anywhere, whether you're working full-time or juggling life and kids.
Many IxDF learners effortlessly enjoy our courses during their commute, while relaxing on their sofa, or even on a park bench during the weekend.
Dive in whenever it suits you and progress at a speed that feels just right for you.
I missed the enrollment, and now the course is closed. What can I do?
I missed the enrollment, and now the course is closed. What can I do?
Don't worry, we will re-run the course soon.
One reason we open and close courses is to achieve an optimal classroom size. That way, your networking opportunities and learning experience are optimal.
We display the "XX% booked" status on our courses to be transparent about the course availability.
Stay tuned for the next enrollment period. Be sure to sign up early! Meanwhile, you can sign up for another course you find interesting. Remember, you can take as many courses as you want without paying extra.
Are IxDF courses suitable for beginners or advanced learners?
Are IxDF courses suitable for beginners or advanced learners?
Our courses cater to all levels, from beginners to advanced professionals.
People who take this course come from diverse backgrounds:
Marketing, Communication and HR
Software Development
Customer Service
Business
Psychology
Project Management
Architecture
Content Creation
Healthcare
Teaching
And other fields
No matter your experience level, you'll find courses that help you grow and achieve your goals.
If you're interested in design and tech, mastering new design and tech skills can increase your salary potential, make you an indispensable asset to your company and open up numerous career opportunities.
How can the global and local IxDF community help me?
How can the global and local IxDF community help me?
We can help you in several ways.
Join meet-ups in your city: Join the regular meet-ups in your city in a nearby cafe or office building to have fun and learn with people just like you. You get full access to IxDF Local Groups where you can build your network, find your next job, enjoy yourself and learn from your peers. The meetings are completely optional and are spread across over 500 cities worldwide. Your network is your net worth.
Get instant help and career advice in IxDF online global communities. Build your global network through the supportive IxDF community. Earn IxDF Distinctions like “Community Influencer'' and “Social Impact Award”.
Learn from global leaders and build your network and job opportunities locally and globally.
I scored less than 70% in a course, so I didn't qualify for a certificate. Can I try again?
I scored less than 70% in a course, so I didn't qualify for a certificate. Can I try again?
Yes—simply retake the course and keep moving forward!
Everyone's learning journey looks different and it’s about progress, not perfection.
To retake a course, just follow these steps:
Go to your profile and click on the course you'd like to retake.
At the top of your screen, just below your progress bar, you'll see “UX Courses” followed by the course name in the breadcrumbs.
Click on the course name and scroll down.
Tap the red button that says, “Drop my course now.”
Head back to our UX Courses page and re-enroll yourself in the course.
You're all set to try again!
NB: Please note that when you drop a course, you’ll lose your progress and any answers you’ve already submitted in the course.
What if I have more questions?
What if I have more questions?
We’d love to hear from you and help you!
Reach out to us at hello@interaction-design.org or use the online contact form.