Introduction to User Experience Design

Georgia Institute of Technology via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/user-experience-design

Introduction

**Course Review and Recommendation: Introduction to User Experience Design on Coursera** User Experience (UX) design is more critical than ever as digital products proliferate and the demand for user-centric solutions continues to escalate. If you're looking to dive into the ever-evolving world of UX design, I highly recommend the course titled **"Introduction to User Experience Design"** available on Coursera. This course is a fantastic starting point for novices eager to learn the essentials of creating effective, efficient, and satisfying user experiences. ### Course Overview The **"Introduction to User Experience Design"** course is structured to guide beginners through the foundational principles of UX design. It revolves around designing artifacts that fulfill user needs while prioritizing usability and satisfaction. It skillfully introduces learners to a design cycle encompassing discovery, evaluation, and an array of techniques tailored to meet user needs. This pedagogical focus ensures that even those with little to no prior knowledge of UX can grasp the concepts presented. ### Syllabus Breakdown The curriculum is thoughtfully divided into key modules, each addressing a vital aspect of the UX design process: 1. **Welcome** - The course starts with an introduction, familiarizing learners with what they should know before embarking on this journey. 2. **Overview of User Experience Design** - This foundational lecture introduces central concepts that will recur throughout the course. You'll gain insights into the core principles that define user experience, setting the stage for more in-depth exploration. 3. **Requirement Gathering** - Understanding users is paramount in UX design. This module teaches techniques for gathering requirements effectively. Learners will discover how to comprehend users and their tasks, along with methods for accurately presenting findings from this critical phase. 4. **Designing Alternatives** - After gathering requirements, learners will explore how to translate findings into viable design alternatives. This module emphasizes designing mobile and ubiquitous computing systems, focusing on integrating usability findings. 5. **Prototyping** - Prototyping is where ideas come to life. This module covers the iterative process of creating models of the system, allowing users to interact with designs and provide feedback swiftly. Learners will discover how to refine their projects based on user interaction. 6. **Evaluation** - The final module emphasizes the importance of evaluation in the design cycle. You will be introduced to various techniques for assessing the effectiveness of your design against usability constraints and overall user experience. ### Pros and Cons **Pros:** - **Beginner-Friendly:** The course is designed specifically for novices, making it approachable for those new to the field. - **Comprehensive Curriculum:** The curriculum covers all crucial aspects of UX design, providing a solid foundation. - **Hands-On Learning:** With an emphasis on prototyping and user feedback, learners can apply concepts in real-world scenarios. **Cons:** - **Pace:** For some learners, the pace may feel rapid, specifically if they're entirely new to design concepts. ### Recommendation Overall, I strongly recommend **"Introduction to User Experience Design"** for anyone interested in entering the exciting field of UX design. The structured approach, practical examples, and emphasis on user-centered design principles make this course a valuable resource. You'll walk away with a fundamental understanding of the UX design process, equipped with techniques and insights to begin designing user-friendly products. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills for a new job, or simply wanting to understand the most critical aspects of user experience, this course will provide the tools you need to succeed. Sign up today on Coursera, and start your journey into the world of user experience design!

Syllabus

Welcome

What you should know before you start this course

Overview of User Experience Design

In these lectures we introduce the basic concepts covered in this course.

Requirement Gathering

The first step of the design cycle is presented along with techniques that are relevant for understanding the user and tasks. There is also a focus on how to present findings from this phase of the design cycle.

Designing Alternatives

The second step of the design cycle is presented. Students are shown how to take the findings from phase 1 (requirement gathering) to design mobile and ubiquitous computing systems that meet the usablility constraints that were identified.

Prototyping

The third step of the design cycle is presented. Once the best design is chosen how to we iteratively design models of the system to quickly allow user to interact and provide feedback.

Evaluation

The fourth step of the design cycle is presented. Techniques for determining how well the design meets usability constraints and user experience are presented

Overview

The focus of this course is to introduce the learner to User Experience (UX) Design User Experience design is design that is user centered. The goal is to design artifacts that allow the users to meet their needs in the most effective efficient and satisfying manner. The course introduces the novice to a cycle of discovery and evaluation and a set of techniques that meet the user's needs. This course is geared toward the novice. It is for learners that have heard about "user experience" or "us

Skills

Usability User Experience (UX) User Experience Design (UXD) User Interface

Reviews

this is an excellent course learnt so much , from user experience to design and I would definitely recommend this to everyone who would like to start designing and wants to know about user experience.

The material was great for someone who knows nothing about UX design and needs to understand the basics. I do think it could have been more engaging though. Sometimes the topics felt redundant.

In the steps of User Experience Design, I got how to go through all four stages; Requirements gathering, Alternative designs, Prototyping, and Evaluation to design and get a good product on the table.

Loved the course, it was both didactic and interesting. Really peaked my interest in UX design, now to find more about the subject! PS: Ms Arriaga is a lovely teacher, and also has great outfits.

As a novice I've found this course to be clear and concise. To put it in course terms, it's useful and usable. I would have liked it to go into a little bit more detail, hence the 4 stars and not 5.