Introduction to UX Design

Course Overview

• Anyone interested in UX design can take this course; no previous experience or college degree required.
• Goals:
  • Learn the foundations of UX design
  • Understand its importance for consumers and businesses
  • Learn common terms, tools, and frameworks
  • Plan and participate in design sprints
  • Build a professional presence online

History of UX Design

• Term "User Experience" coined by Don Norman in the 1990s.
• Principles stretch back to ancient China (e.g., feng shui).
• Focus in tech: interaction with products.

Key Concepts in UX Design

What is User Experience?

• Relates to how a user feels about interacting with a product (physical or digital).
• A good user experience should be:
  • Usable
  • Equitable
  • Enjoyable
  • Useful

Importance for Business

• Businesses focusing on usability and design outperform competitors.
• Positive user experiences lead to higher usage and recommendations.

Characteristics of UX Designers

• Diverse backgrounds (e.g., marketers, artists, teachers).
• Skills include empathy, curiosity, understanding people, and visual sense.

Roles and Responsibilities in UX

Types of UX Designers

• Interaction Designers: Focus on product experience and functionality.
• Visual Designers: Focus on aesthetics such as logos and layout.
• Motion Designers: Enhance transitions and animations.

Collaboration in UX

• Work with cross-functional teams (e.g., researchers, writers, product designers).
  • UX Researchers: Conduct studies to understand user interaction.
  • UX Writers: Clarify product language.
  • Product Designers: Bridge between design and engineering.
  • UX Engineers: Implement design into working experience.
  • Program Managers: Coordinate communication and project flow.

UX Design Process

Key Tasks for Entry-Level Designers

• Research: Understand user demographics and needs.
• Wireframing: Sketch product layouts.
• Prototyping: Develop functional models.
• Information Architecture: Organize website framework.
• Communication: Collaborate effectively with teams.

UX Designer Career Paths

• Generalists: Broad responsibilities, common in smaller companies.
• Specialists: Focus deeply on one aspect, typical in larger organizations.
• T-shaped Designers: Specialize in one area with broad skills in others.

Career Opportunities in UX

Types of Companies

• Startups: Generalist roles, fast-paced environment.
• Freelancing: Self-employed, flexible projects.
• Advertising Agencies: Work on varied campaigns.
• Design Agencies/Studios: Focus on branding and specialized design.
• Large Companies: Specialized roles, opportunity to learn from experts.

Starting a Career

• Internships: Short-term, limited responsibility, potential for full-time offers.
• Apprenticeships: Longer-term, paid on-the-job training.
• Entry-Level Jobs: No prior experience required, certificates and portfolios can be valuable.

Conclusion

• The program covers a wide range of topics from basic definitions to role responsibilities and career paths.
• Encourages exploration of different UX design fields and specializations.

These notes summarize the key points from the introduction to UX design lecture. They cover the basics of UX, the importance of good design, the roles involved, and how to start a career in UX design.