When it comes to learning UI design, there are many types of classes available. Some are short and only take a day or two to finish, while others take weeks or even months. There are also classes designed for various levels of experience, from beginner to more advanced. Additionally, you’ll find a variety of class formats such as full-time and part-time courses. Finally, you’re also likely to find wide variation in class content. Keep reading for more information about some of the most common class options and how they differ from one another.
What is UI Design?
A user interface (UI) is the space where a user interacts with a digital product or technology. UI design is the process of making sure that this interface is both aesthetic and functional. UI designers work with a variety of elements such as buttons, images, and menus, aiming to provide users with an enjoyable and functional experience. They often use software applications like Figma to create designs, get feedback, and collaborate with members of a design team.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Course
How Much Experience Do You Have?
One of the most important things to look at when choosing a UI design course is what type of student the course is designed for, and whether or not that includes you. If you’re unfamiliar with UI design, it’s a good idea to look for a class designed for beginners. Many schools offer beginner classes. In general, a beginner class will start with foundational skills and then move on to more advanced concepts. Beginner courses also vary in length. If you’re a beginner, a shorter introductory class can be a good way to get a feel for this field and see whether you’re interested in taking a more comprehensive course. If your goal is to become a professional UI Designer, a longer course such as a bootcamp or certificate program might be the right choice for you. Bootcamps and certificate programs take weeks or months to complete, designed to get you career-ready. If you already have some experience in UI design, a beginner class can still be beneficial by refreshing your skills and introducing new technologies. However, if a beginner class feels too slow, an intermediate or advanced course might be a better fit.
What is Your Budget?
Budget is also an important consideration for most people. Tuition for UI design courses can vary widely. The most expensive option is usually a college degree program, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year. This is also the longest type of program, typically taking at least a couple of years. A shorter and less expensive option is to enroll in a bootcamp or certificate course. These types of courses generally take months rather than years to complete and cost significantly less than a college education. They cover a wide range of skills and run in an accelerated format so that you can learn as quickly as possible. Overall, they are designed to get you career-ready in a relatively short amount of time. Bootcamps and certificate courses can cost anywhere from about $5,000 up to $30,000. In addition to college programs, bootcamps, and certificate courses, there are many shorter UI design class options. Most of these classes won’t teach you everything you need to know to work as a UI Designer, but they can give you some basic skills and get you started in this field. Many shorter classes only cost a few hundred dollars.
How Do You Plan to Use Your New Skills?
When you’re comparing UI design classes, it’s also a good idea to think about how you plan to use your skills. If you want to work as a professional UI Designer, then you’ll probably need to take a comprehensive, career-focused course. A comprehensive course will start with the basics, and take you up to an advanced level. It is also likely to include a variety of projects where you can develop practical experience. In addition, many career-focused classes come with career assistance. For instance, you’re likely to get help building your portfolio. Other types of assistance might include tips on building a resume and interviewing for a job, one-on-one mentoring sessions, or access to internships. If you're not preparing for a career or aren't sure how in-depth you want to go, a shorter program may be a good option. Shorter classes take just a few days to finish and cost less than longer courses. They can be an effective way to start learning without committing a lot of time and money.
What Training Format Works Best for You?
A final consideration is the training format. UI design classes typically come in many different formats, and the choice of which one is best will vary from person to person. Some people prefer in-person classes. This format tends to be the most engaging since you interact in-person with your instructor and other students. It can also be easier to stay focused with in-person learning because you’re in an environment dedicated to learning with minimal distractions. Moreover, it’s easier for the instructor to assess whether you need additional help. However, in-person learning is the least flexible format. You have to commute to a classroom, and you’re limited to courses that take place in your geographic area. If you’re looking for a more flexible option, a live online class might be a good choice. Live online classes take place in real-time, but instead of traveling to a classroom, you attend by logging in via computer. With a live online class, you can still ask questions and get immediate feedback, but you can attend from any location. A potential downside of online learning is that you’ll need your own computer and software.
Learn UI Design with Noble Desktop
Noble Desktop is based in New York City and offers a number of different UI design-related classes, with both short courses that can help you quickly master the basics, and longer, more comprehensive programs that are intended to prepare you for a career in this field. Its classes can be taken in-person at its Manhattan facility or in a live online format. Noble Desktop is licensed by the New York State Education Department. All courses include a certificate of completion and the option of a free retake within one year.
One of Noble’s most popular UI design classes is the UI Design Certificate, a multi-week course where you’ll learn about composition, typography, color, interactivity, user interface elements, best practices, and all the things you’ll need to understand to work in UI design. You’ll learn to retouch photos in Photoshop, use Adobe Illustrator’s drawing tools to create graphics, icons, and logos, and create UI designs and prototypes using Figma. You’ll also create a portfolio of website and app designs that you can show to potential employers or clients. This class also includes eight one-on-one mentoring sessions that you can use to work on challenging concepts, review your portfolio, or get professional advice about applying and interviewing for jobs.
Noble Desktop also offers the UX & UI Design Certificate. This course covers the fundamentals of both UI and UX design. You’ll learn how to conduct user research and testing. You’ll also learn to design digital products and build clickable prototypes using Figma. In addition, as part of the class, you’ll work on projects that you can include in your design portfolio. The class comes with six one-on-one mentoring sessions.
Another option is the Web Design Certificate, which includes UI design instruction. In this class, you’ll learn to use Figma for designing UI, build websites with WordPress, and work on coding skills. You’ll also learn to use Git to track changes in your code and collaborate with other developers, JavaScript for animation and interaction, and Bootstrap for building layouts. Eight one-on-one mentoring sessions are included.
Noble Desktop also offers classes in Figma, a popular UI design tool. The Figma Bootcamp takes several days to complete. In this bootcamp, you’ll learn a variety of Figma skills, including optimizing designs for mobile, tablet, and desktop screens, extracting image assets, designing on grids, and sharing designs with clients. You’ll also learn to create animations and build interactive prototypes. Additionally, the class covers components and working with team libraries.
Another Figma option is the Figma Masterclass, which takes you from beginner to advanced level. In this class, you’ll learn to create UI and UX designs for websites and apps, designing layouts optimized for various devices. You’ll also learn to build interactive prototypes, create animations, use components, work with team libraries, and apply conditionals.