UX Design Classes for High School Students in Philadelphia

When it comes to the design process, UX and UI Designers have different yet overlapping roles. While UX Designers focus on creating a positive user experience by understanding how users interact with a product, UI Designers ensure that the product has a consistent visual look in terms of colors, fonts, and other design elements.

To create websites and mobile apps, UX and UI Designers use various tools such as Sketch, Figma, and Adobe XD. UX Designers conduct research, collect and interpret data, and collaborate with the design team to optimize the user experience. Meanwhile, UI Designers use design tools to create products that give users a positive experience and a visually appealing brand look.

The UX/UI design process is user-centered as the goal is to provide the best user experience possible. However, designers must also consider stakeholders' interests, budgets, and time constraints when creating their designs. Successful UX/UI Designers possess vital skills such as empathy, curiosity, problem-solving, and communication.

Why High School Students Should Learn UX/UI Design

Summer break is the perfect time to learn some new skills for a fun hobby or a future career. Sign up for a summer course in UX/UI design to learn how to design websites and mobile applications. Not only is this a great way to learn new skills in user experience and interface design, but it could open up exciting career opportunities after graduation.

With UX/UI design skills, you can create your own website, online store, or blog or use your design skills to help friends, do homework assignments, or volunteer for community projects. Maybe you could start a side hustle to earn a little money or even start a career in UX/UI design.

With UX design training, you can follow different career paths like Lead or Senior Designer, Design Manager, UX Researcher, or UX Writer. UI Designers can also become Web Developers or Design Engineers. UX/UI Designers are paid well, although there is some variation depending on location and years of experience. Glassdoor.com lists an average annual salary of $98,000 for UX Designers in Philadelphia and $96,000 for UI Designers.

Some colleges and universities offering UX/UI design programs in the Philadelphia area include Drexel University, Temple University, Thomas Jefferson University, and the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. Some of the top design firms in Philadelphia include Perpetual, Think Company, Durkan Group, Spark DSG LLC, Exposit, KDG, and eDesign Interactive.

In-Person UX/UI Design Classes in Philadelphia

Many people sign up for classes in traditional classroom settings because that is what they are used to. If you are thinking of majoring in UX/UI design in Philadelphia, Drexel University's undergraduate User Experience and Interaction Design program provides graduates with an interdisciplinary skill set, including training in user experience design, user interface and interaction design, website development, information architecture and content strategy, and project management. This is a four-year college course, and tuition in 2024 was $56,000 per year.

Virtual UX/UI Design Classes

If in-person classes aren't available, you can still find UX/UI design training through live online classes. These classes often run simultaneously with in-person sessions, with an instructor and students in a remote classroom, and other participants joining through a video conferencing platform. You can talk with other students, ask questions, and get help from the instructor just like in an in-person class. With your permission, the instructor can take control of your screen to provide extra help if needed. Some people appreciate the convenience of learning UX/UI design skills from their bedroom, kitchen table, or favorite coffee shop without having to commute to class or pay for parking.

High school students who want to explore design fundamentals during summer break can sign up for NexGen Bootcamp's UX & UI Design Summer Program Online. This course was designed specifically for high school students and starts with an introduction to user design and visual design principles, including how to use the free Figma design app. Next, the class covers user experience design, where students learn to conduct interviews, create user personas and journey maps, and use Figma to create clickable prototypes to test their designs. Participants will also learn about building a design career, including workflow, creative briefs, portfolio development, and job-search skills. The course includes 45 hours of class time and costs $1,999.

How to Choose a UX/UI Design Class

Beyond deciding between in-person or online, other factors to consider when choosing a UX/UI design course include tuition costs. Does the course fit in your budget? Is the full price due upfront, or can you make regular payments? Are there scholarships or loans you can apply for?

Another question is how long the class lasts. Can you fit it into your summer break around other obligations like a part-time job or family trips? Is the class open to all ages? You might feel more comfortable in a class with other teenagers. Finally, is it a class for beginners, or do you need some previous design experience before you start? Give some thought to these questions before you sign up for a class. Also, check out alumni reviews on Google, Coursehorse, or Yelp. This can help you choose the course that’s right for you.