Every modern, digital designer must know the fundamentals of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI). If you are considering a career in web or mobile application design, and looking to advance your skillsets, UX/UI courses can be pivotal to your success.
What is UI/UX?
User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) are at the heart of web design. These elements work together to create an optimized design experience for users when they interact with a website, mobile application, or digital product. UX/UI designers steer this process, by assessing users’ needs and creating intuitive designs that streamline a user’s journey.
UX/UI design is important because it provides optimized digital experiences for end-users. In turn, this can create positive results for businesses online. Company websites and mobile apps with a strong user experience/interface will be more likely to engage and convert their users. Brands that take UX/UI into consideration will also be better able to interact with their visitors and have a stronger awareness of their customers’ journeys. At the same time, users will walk away with a better understanding of a brand and its services or products, as long as there is a good UX/UI in place.
UX/UI designers are responsible for creating these great experiences online and helping websites thrive.
UX vs. UI Design: A Breakdown
While UX and UI are often referred to in tandem, the acronyms are distinct in nature. Each refers to a different aspect of the design and development process.
UX, or user experience, is focused on the end-user journey—specifically, how users engage with a website or application design, from their very first click to their last touch on the page. UX designers think about each digital experience makes users feel, respond, and behave. They consider whether the experiences are efficient and pleasant-to-use, and what improvements can be made to help users accomplish their tasks more easily—whether that be checking out on an eCommerce website, or banking via a mobile application.
UI, or user interface, is concentrated on the visual touchpoints of a user’s experience, therefore complementing UX design. UI designers consider the look and feel of a digital interface (in-app or online), to ensure it is as intuitive and accessible as possible for end-users. This might mean evaluating the colors of a design, the clickability of icons and buttons, the relevance of imagery, the typography on a webpage, and more, to ensure users have easy-to-read, easy-to-navigate content at their fingertips.
As you can see, UX and UI are closely related fields. And, in truth, you cannot have one without the other. UX and UI are both essential elements of modern design and development, and are versatile skills to have as you embark on any high-tech career path.
5 UI/UX Classes You Don’t Want to Miss
To become a UX/UI designer, or really any designer or programmer in the modern era, it is recommended that you pursue specialized training in this field. UI/UX skills are in high demand, but can be learned through relevant coursework and educational experiences.
Below are five popular UX/UI courses available through Paier College’s coding programs. These are classes that you do not want to miss, covering a variety of areas relevant to web and mobile app design.
- User Interface Design
This course is fundamental to UI, as it teaches the theory behind—and the methods used to develop—intuitive user interfaces. Students in this class learn how to research user behavior, prototype designs, and develop interfaces using industry-standard programs. Further, students learn how to conduct usability testing and create an effective, streamlined user interface on websites and mobile apps.
- User Experience Design
Similar to the above, this course is fundamental to UX design. Students gain an in-depth understanding of design elements, from a human-centered perspective. They learn about how user behaviors and preferences should impact design, and further how design can affect the memories and actions of users. Students learn how persona building leads into prototyping, and how to create a function and engaging website or application.
- Web Application Design
Web application design is centered around creating responsive, accessible websites and webpages. Students advance their existing knowledge of CSS, JavaScript, HTML, JSON, and more, by developing the skills needed to create a web application. They learn how to research, define, and understand business needs, and further build a functional end-user experience through web design.
- Mobile Application Design
Mobile application design, as you may have guessed, is a course focused on designing mobile apps for iOS and Android. This class is elemental in that students learn the architecture and coding requirements behind these applications, as well as develop design and engineering skills within each. Overall, students in this UX/UI course develop methodologies and techniques needed to develop modern mobile apps.
- Web Page Design
Web page design is a UX/UI-focused course in which students gain familiarization with—and advance their skills in—web design software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and more. Students explore graphic and interactive design experiences, and learn how to build their own websites from scratch. At Paier College’s coding school, this course is broken into two levels, Web Page Design I and Web Page Design II. While the first course introduces the basics of website design, Web Page Design II teaches the advanced design elements and techniques needed when creating dynamic websites.
These are just five of the many UX/UI relevant courses you may take upon entering a coding bootcamp or a certificate program. However, this only scratches the surface of classroom experiences available. Many coding and design programs end with capstone courses, where students put all their learned skills to the test in a finished, real-world application or project.
Top Three Reasons to Pursue UX/UI Courses
UX/UI design is now a critical element of the web development process. Businesses appreciate UX/UI design skills more than ever, due to the value that UX/UI can bring to their customers. With that in mind, there are three core reasons to enhance your training and pursue courses in this field of study.
- High Compensation
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), web and digital interface designers nationwide earn an average annual salary of more than $95,000. This high pay potential makes the career path well worth it, especially considering that these careers do not always require a costly college degree.
Many UI/UX design jobs can be achieved with a few months of postsecondary training. For example, at Paier College, students in our coding programs learn the ins and outs of user experience and interface design, in just six months’ time. This means students invest a little in their education, to reap great rewards in a UX/UI career after graduation.
- High Job Demand and Opportunities
Job security is another benefit of the UX/UI design career path. In addition to high salary potential, the BLS also reports a bright job outlook. Web and digital interface designers can expect a 16 percent increase in job openings by 2031, while web developers and digital designers will see career prospects improve by 23 percent over the decade. What does this mean for you, as an aspiring student? There is great opportunity within the field, and it’s time to get involved!
Career outcomes can include design, development, testing, and programming roles—in both website and mobile application environments. Not to mention, many of these careers are flexible. UX/UI designers often have the ability to work remotely, and on a schedule that aligns with their needs.
- High-Impact and Versatile Skillsets
UX/UI designers are valued in nearly every industry, and the skills learned in these courses can be applied to a variety of tech-driven careers. In a UX/UI design-focused coding program, you develop technical skills such as wireframing and prototyping, typography and color theory, design software operation, coding, app development, user research, and more. You will also gain skills outside of design and computer programming, in areas such as:
- Analysis
- Problem-Solving
- Creativity
- Communication
- Customer Service
- Attention-to-Detail
- Planning
By taking UX/UI courses, you can become an incredible asset to any company. These courses can expand your career horizons, or make you even more valuable to your current employer.
Becoming a designer today requires an understanding of end-user psychology and behavior, as well as a technical skillset and passion for a creative career. If you are seeking to take UX/UI courses in Connecticut, and become a more informed web designer, look no further than Paier College. Learn about our fast-paced and flexible certificate programs, Web Application Design and Mobile App Design, online.