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Introduction to UX/UI Design

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BeginnerCourse

This course provides a comprehensive overview of user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, their differences, and their critical roles in product success. You’ll explore the importance of UX/UI design in product development and key processes like user-centered design, design thinking, and Agile methodologies. You will also gain insight into the software development lifecycle. The course also delves into career paths, essential skills, popular design tools such as Figma, and team dynamics, equipping learners with foundational knowledge to excel in UX/UI design projects.

Language

  • English

Topic

  • UI/UX Design

Enrollment Count

  • 302

Skills You Will Learn

  • Product Design, Design Frameworks, Agile Methodology, Adobe XD, Figma, Miro

Offered By

  • IBMSkillsNetwork

Estimated Effort

  • 3 weeks at 4 hr

Platform

  • Coursera

Last Update

  • May 30, 2025
About this Course

In this course, you will learn about user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, including their differences and critical roles in successful products. You'll learn about user-centered design, design thinking, Agile methods, and how UX/UI fits into the software development lifecycle. The course also covers career paths, core skills, key tools such as Figma, and how designers collaborate within teams—giving you a solid foundation to work on real UX/UI projects.


This course is part of the
IBM UI/UX Designer Professional Certificate
. Other courses in this certificate program include:
Introduction to Agile Development and Scrum
UX/UI Design Fundamentals: Usability and Visual Principles
UX/UI Wireframing and Prototyping with Figma
(Coming soon)
UX Research and Information Architecture
(Coming soon)
Capstone Project: Applying UX/UI Design in Real World
(Coming soon)
If you’re interested in building on your skills, feel free to explore the other courses in this certificate program at your own pace.


Prerequisites

To get the most out of this course, basic computer literacy is needed. No prior degree, programming, or UX/UI experience is required.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:


  • Define UX/UI design, their differences, their significance in user satisfaction, and the role of tools such as Figma in creating effective designs

  • Identify the role of UX/UI design within the product development process and how it aligns with project goals

  • Assess various UX/UI career paths, required skills, and the impact of tools and team dynamics in Agile workflows

Course Outline


This course has 4 modules, which are listed below. We encourage you to set aside 2-3 hours each week to successfully complete all modules in 4 weeks. Consistency will best help you achieve your learning goals!


You will derive the maximum benefit from viewing all videos and readings and solidifying that knowledge by completing all of the labs and activities.


Module 1: Understanding UX and UI Design


In this module, you'll learn the foundational concepts of UX and UI design and why they matter in building successful digital products. You'll distinguish between UX and UI, explore how they work together, and observe their impact on user satisfaction and business outcomes. Through real-world examples, you'll see how great design can elevate user experiences and give products a competitive edge. By the end, you'll have a clear grasp of what UX and UI design involve and how they shape modern product development.


Module 2: The Role of UX/UI in Product Design


This module explores how UX/UI design applies across platforms, from websites and mobile apps to IoT devices, AR/VR, voice interfaces, and wearables. You'll learn how UX/UI integrates into the software development lifecycle (SDLC), supporting usability, functionality, and innovation at every stage. By the end, you'll understand how thoughtful design drives better products through iterative development and real-world applications.


Module 3: Exploring Careers in UX/UI Design


This module introduces careers in UX/UI design, covering key roles such as UX Designer, UI Designer, Product Designer, and UX Researcher, along with specializations such as Accessibility and Motion Design. You'll build core skills in wireframing, prototyping, and user research, and gain hands-on experience with tools like Figma. The module also explores team dynamics, solo vs. collaborative work, and the soft skills needed for success. By the end, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to start a career in UX/UI design.

Module 4: Final Project and Course Wrap-Up


In this module, you will complete a final project and will take a final exam to test your knowledge. The module also provides guidance about the next steps after completing this course.

Tools/Software Used

In this course, you will use the free version of Figma. The course does not require you to purchase paid versions of tools like Figma to complete any activities. However, if you choose to upgrade to a paid version, you will need to incur the costs.

Congratulations on taking these steps to further your knowledge and career! Enjoy your UX/UI journey.

Instructors

Rav Ahuja

Global Program Director, IBM Skills Network

Rav Ahuja is a Global Program Director at IBM. He leads growth strategy, curriculum creation, and partner programs for the IBM Skills Network. Rav co-founded Cognitive Class, an IBM led initiative to democratize skills for in demand technologies. He is based out of the IBM Canada Lab in Toronto and specializes in instructional solutions for AI, Data, Software Engineering and Cloud. Rav presents at events worldwide and has authored numerous papers, articles, books and courses on subjects in managing and analyzing data. Rav holds B. Eng. from McGill University and MBA from University of Western Ontario.

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