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100% online
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Duration:
9 months, 10 hrs/wk
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What is UI and UX design?

UI and UX design is the spice that takes a website or an app from being just functional to being a pleasure to use. In many ways, User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) are two sides of the same coin. Still, when looking at the roles in detail, they are responsible for the following:

UX designers focus on providing a great experience to users as they interact with products as complex as entire apps or as small as multi-step forms. A UX designer most likely worked on it if you interact with it.

UI designers also focus on the elements you interact with from a visual perspective. They ensure that the menus, buttons, icons, etc., are pleasing to the eye and intuitive to use. Their job is often part art and part science.

UI and UX design is an excellent profession for people with a passion for design who want to drive data-driven results.

UI/UX Design Bootcamp at UMGC

UI/UX designers have the unique skillset of combining empathy-driven research, visual design, and an understanding of human psychology. These skills help them to create products that are not only functional and accessible but also enjoyable to use. They are the invisible hand that shapes your day-to-day experiences whenever you use an app or a website.

An ever-increasing demand for apps and websites has led to demand for designers being at an all-time high. More than ever, companies recognize that function alone is not good enough. They want their users to enjoy using their products. As a result, UI/UX designers enjoy excellent pay, high levels of job satisfaction, and opportunities to work in cutting-edge industries that drive innovation and growth.

The Online UI/UX Design Bootcamp in the DMV, is here to prepare you for various roles in the design industry and help you learn the core principles, best practices, and tools you will need to succeed.

The program starts by building your foundation with a curated curriculum selected from the best available resources. Once you have built up your skillset, you will put what you have learned into practice through a combination of hands-on learning activities and projects, which include:

  • UI Practice Exercises

  • Capstone Projects

  • Three Optional Projects

This program is 100% online, lets you learn on your own schedule, and provides you with the skills and portfolio employers are looking for. You may also finish the program sooner if you put in more than the recommended weekly time.

You won't be left alone on your journey to becoming a UI/UX designer. We match you up with a mentor who provides you with regular1:1 support through virtual meetings where you can ask questions, receive feedback on your projects, or get insights into the industry.

We understand that skills and knowledge are only half the battle, which is why our bootcamp also provides you with eight optional career units that will help you:

  • Find the right job titles and companies

  • Learn networking fundamentals

  • Master writing resumes and cover letters

  • Practice mock interviews

Read on further to find out how this UI/UX bootcamp can help you find the right career for you.

Career paths in UI/UX design in the Washington metropolitan area

Until now, we have mostly referred to UX and UI designers, but our bootcamp prepares you for many career paths. Whether you are interested in being a generalist or a specialist will help determine which is right for you. Below are a few possible roles this bootcamp could help lead you towards:

  • UX Designer: $68,352

  • Information Architect: $113,684

  • UX Researcher: $137,500

Annual Median Advertised Salary. Source: Lightcast; Oct 2022 - Sep 2023; 0-3 years minimum experience required.

Curriculum

We strategically designed our UI/UX Design Bootcamp to help you gain the skills you need to land your first job in the industry. That's why we have selected projects that can also be used as great additions to your portfolio. Your curriculum will include some of the following:

NEW! AI Learning Units

Leverage AI tools to create more intuitive and engaging design, and set yourself apart as a designer equipped with the latest knowledge and skills. We've added seven new optional units to our curriculum to allow you to learn AI alongside key topics in UI/UX. New AI units include:

  • Introduction to AI and Its Relevance to UX.

  • AI-Enhanced User Research.

  • Dynamic Persona Building and Journey Mapping with AI.

  • Information Architecture and Ethical Considerations in AI.

  • Designing for AI: Tools, Practices, and Usability Testing.

  • Prototyping for AI: Tools for Prototyping AI-Based Systems.

  • AI and Usability Testing: Adjusting Techniques for AI Systems.

Conducting Research
  • Learn how to develop a research plan.

  • Study best practices for recruiting interview participants, writing screeners, and conducting interviews.

    This unit is filled with hands-on work that will help you learn the ins and outs of understanding your users. You’ll be guided through the process of setting up a research plan, learn how to recruit and screen participants, explore interview best practices to collect meaningful data, and be taught how to synthesize that data to draw insights about your user and problem space so that you can create a successful solution.

Design Systems and Brand Platforms
  • Develop an understanding of design systems, as well as their value in the UI/UX industry.

  • Become familiar with common components of a design system.

  • Learn how to understand a company’s existing design system.

  • Describe the components of a basic brand platform and understand their importance.

  • Analyze how designers translate a brand platform into visual style.

  • Understand how you will interact with brand platforms throughout your career.

  • Develop an awareness of how logos are treated and used in UI.

Designers establish a visual language with the help of design systems and style guides. Design systems and style guides are artifacts that define the rules and representations of a product's visual language including what fonts, colors, UI elements, and imagery will be used.

Prototyping and Animations

Prototyping is the next step in the process of increasing the fidelity of your designs. High-fidelity prototypes — such as the prototypes you will be creating in this unit — are as close an approximation of your final product as you can get. Creating and testing prototypes is another way to identify aspects of your product that could be improved and ensure that your product meets the needs of your users.

  • Learn how to create a clickable prototype.

  • Understand the purpose of animation and interaction patterns within UI/UX design, including how they affect functionality, brand personality, and user delight.

  • Familiarize yourself with current animation and interaction patterns and guidelines.

  • For this course, you’ll focus on two main aspects of animations: The role that animation plays on a high-screen level, such as when screens transition from one to the next, and the role animation plays at a granular level within designs, such as how a dropdown menu animates when it opens.

Capstones & projects

Students are required to complete one capstone project; however, you also have the opportunity to complete three other optional portfolio projects. Details on the capstone project, as well as these other optional projects, can be found below:

Capstone 1
  • An end-to-end design project that includes each phase of the design process.

Design Sprint (Optional)
  • A Google Ventures-style design sprint where you’ll work on a complete project in a 1-week timeframe.

Capstone 2 (Optional)
  • An end-to-end project that incorporates each stage of the design process: You’ll apply all of the methods you’ve learned while working with real-world constraints.

Industry Design Project (Optional)

A ~4-week real-world project where you use your design skills to help a company tackle a business problem. You’ll apply all of your course learnings and:

  • Identify a customer problem to solve.

  • Conduct competitive research.

  • Sketch, design, and build a prototype.

  • Perform usability testing and identify improvements.

Student support

Our 100% online UI/UX Design Bootcamp allows you to work around your schedule. However, we want our students to have the benefits of interacting with fellow students and experts in the fields. That's why we offer the following support structures to help see you through to the end:

Regular 1:1 mentor video calls: You will be regularly able to meet with an expert in the field to discuss areas you need help in, receive feedback on projects, develop a UI/UX career strategy, and help you remain accountable.

Online community: You and your cohort are always connected. Take advantage of this online community by creating conversations about your work and how you can improve it.

Student Advisors: Student advisors are here to help you, whether you need advice on time management, accountability, or anything related to the bootcamp.

1:1 Career coaching sessions: We understand that an investment in your education is an investment in your future, which is why we provide optional career units that can help you find the right job.

Meet our mentors

Earl Friedberg Headshot
Earl Friedberg
UX Lead
Elsa Ho Headshot
Elsa Ho
UX Researcher
Shyamala Prayaga Headshot
Shyamala Prayaga
Interaction Designer
Ali Rushdan Tariq Headshot
Ali Rushdan Tariq
Sr. Product Designer

Is this DC-based UI/UX Design Bootcamp right for you?

If you have a passion for design and an aspiration to make things beautiful, organized, and user-friendly, then our UI/UX Design Bootcamp is for you!

Prerequisites

All students are welcome to apply regardless of their current occupation or educational background. We require strong visual skills, clear communication, and creativity.

FAQ

What is UX?
  • UX is short for User Experience. It lies and the intersection of business needs and user goals and is the process in which designers make products usable and accessible.

What is UI?
  • UI is short for User Interaction: It ensures visual components make a product usable.

Is UI/UX design a good career in the Washington metropolitan area?
  • Yes, UI/UX design can be a rewarding career choice in the Washington metropolitan area. The region has a thriving technology industry with numerous companies and startups seeking skilled designers to create user-friendly interfaces for their digital products. In addition, the area is home to many federal agencies and government contractors, which also require UI/UX designers to create effective digital experiences for their users. The demand for UI/UX designers is expected to continue growing as more companies and organizations invest in their digital presence. As with any career, success in UI/UX design requires a combination of creativity, technical skills, and a deep understanding of user behavior, but for those who excel in these areas, the potential for a fulfilling and lucrative career in the Washington metropolitan area is certainly within reach.

What does a UI/UX designer do?
  • UI designers determine the visual elements (e.g. menus, buttons, icons, etc.) used to interact with a product or service.

  • UX designers control a user's overall experience of a product or service, such as an app or multi-step form.

What skills are needed to become a UI/UX designer?
  • Wireframing, prototyping, and strong research acumen are some of the top hard skills. You’ll also need soft skills that you can develop over time: empathy to understand a users’ pain points and the ability to communicate with internal and external stakeholders, as well as a collaborative work ethic.

What type of jobs can you do after a UI/UX design bootcamp?

The Careers section above details some of the most common titles (UX Designer, UI Designer).

Graduates also pursue positions like:

  • Motion Designer (avg. salary $63k-$82k): Motion designers are animation specialists and create test motion graphics, build prototypes, and are an integral part of a UX team.

  • UX Researcher: (avg. salary $68k–$96k): UX researchers are at the forefront of a UX team, focusing on the very first phase of design — research. They conduct user research, create surveys, user personas, and journey maps.

  • Information Architect: (avg. salary $85k–$112k): Information architects are all about navigation — making it easy for users to find information. They create journey maps and also participate in user research and interviews.

As you move up the career ladder, you’ll explore more advanced specialties or ones that require technical proficiencies, such as coding. Below are more senior-level roles:

  • UX Strategist

  • UX Architect

  • UX Product Manager

  • UX Analyst

  • UX/UI Engineer

  • UX/UI Developer

  • Product Designer

How long does it take to become a UI/UX designer?
  • In as little as nine months, this UI/UX bootcamp will equip you with the technical skills needed to build an impressive UI/UX portfolio. If you are motivated to study at a faster pace, we allow you to study on your own time and finish the course earlier.

What is the salary of a UI/UX Designer?
  • The average UX/UI designer base pay salary in the US is approximately $73,612 according to Glassdoor.

Are UI/UX designers in high demand?

More questions about the program?

Schedule a call with our Enrollment team by completing the 'Apply Now' form or email Carolina, our Enrollment Advisor, who will help you think through the decision.

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