UX Design College Class taught by a University UX Instructor Course Syllabus

Overview: This comprehensive UX Design course, developed by university instructor Aaron Lawrence, guides you through the full UX design lifecycle with academic rigor and hands-on practice. Structured like a college curriculum, the course spans eight modules covering foundational theory, research, design, testing, and portfolio development. With approximately 4 hours of total learning time, each module integrates practical exercises using downloadable templates and frameworks to reinforce key concepts. Ideal for beginners, this course prepares you to confidently apply UX methodologies and build a professional case study for real-world impact.

Module 1: Foundations of UX & Goal Setting

Estimated time: 0.3 hours

• UX design process overview
• Setting SMART goals
• Defining project success criteria
• Creating a UX brief

Module 2: User Research & Personas

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Conducting user research with best practices
• Crafting effective user interview scripts
• Using sample research data to identify patterns
• Creating detailed user personas

Module 3: Synthesis & Problem Definition

Estimated time: 0.5 hours

• Applying affinity mapping techniques
• Synthesizing research findings into insights
• Writing clear problem statements
• Translating data into actionable design direction

Module 4: Journey Mapping & Sketching

Estimated time: 0.6 hours

• Mapping customer journey stages
• Identifying pain points and opportunities
• Using sketching templates for ideation
• Applying basic ideation frameworks

Module 5: Wireframing & Prototyping

Estimated time: 0.7 hours

• Designing mid-fidelity wireframes
• Following wireframe best practices
• Building clickable prototypes
• Linking interactions in prototype tools

Module 6: User Testing & Iteration

Estimated time: 0.6 hours

• Creating a usability test plan
• Moderating user testing sessions
• Collecting and analyzing feedback
• Iterating designs based on findings

Module 7: Design Systems & Visual Application

Estimated time: 0.4 hours

• Understanding design system principles
• Defining typography, color, and UI components
• Applying visual styles to wireframes
• Creating a basic style guide

Module 8: Portfolio & Case Study Development

Estimated time: 0.4 hours

• Structuring a compelling UX case study
• Highlighting process and impact in portfolios
• Updating resumes for UX roles
• Presenting work to employers and clients

Prerequisites

• Basic computer literacy
• No prior design experience required
• Willingness to engage in hands-on exercises

What You'll Be Able to Do After

• Set clear UX goals and define project success criteria
• Conduct user research and develop data-driven personas
• Synthesize findings into actionable problem statements
• Create journey maps, wireframes, and interactive prototypes
• Build a professional UX portfolio with a complete case study