Real-world projects from industry experts
With real-world projects and immersive content built in partnership with top-tier companies, you’ll master the tech skills companies want.
How to Become a UX Designer
Nanodegree Program
Design impactful user experiences for products in today’s digital world. Build a portfolio that showcases your ability to transform user research to high-fidelity interactive designs.
Estimated time
3 Months
At 10 hours/week
Enroll by
June 14, 2023
Get access to the classroom immediately upon enrollment
Skills acquired
UI Kits and Plugins, UI Design, Iterative Product Design
What you will learn
UX Designer
Estimated 3 Months to completeYou’ll learn how to create a digital user experience that is ready to be handed off for development. You’ll start by building familiarity and fluency with design research fundamentals to identify the user and the solutions they need. You’ll then synthesize your research, and use design sprints to take an idea from concept to low-fidelity prototype. Finally, you’ll learn how to turn your low-fidelity prototype into a high-fidelity design, and improve its performance based on data. Along the way, you’ll complete projects that can be incorporated into a UX portfolio at the end of the program in order to showcase your capabilities to future employers.
Prerequisite knowledge
No prior experience required.
UX Fundamentals & Design Research
Product design starts with understanding the needs of users, which is gathered through comprehensive research. Learn the core principles of human-centered design and how to appropriately scope a design problem. Understand how to empathize with users when performing user research, including how to conduct in-depth interviews and create quantitative surveys, and use research data to uncover opportunities. You’ll then apply psychology to design sketches, keeping the end-user in mind.
Concept to Low-Fidelity Prototyping
The best products have gone through rounds of iteration based on user research and feedback. Learn the process of a design sprint, and how to translate findings from research into a prototype that can be tested with users. Understand how to foster team collaboration and use divergent and convergent thinking to rapidly create testable prototypes. Apply user interface principles in the design of a clickable prototype, and conduct a usability test to gain valuable feedback from users that can be used in design iterations.
High-Fidelity Prototyping to Post-Launch Analysis
Once products have been tested for its effectiveness, they need to be enhanced for engagement. Learn advanced user interface principles to build interactive designs that are ready to be handed off to engineering for feedback. Understand how to solicit and integrate feedback from engineering to enhance the design before it is ready for development. Assess the engagement of the product through remote usability testing and other experimentation methods. Finally, you’ll learn how to improve design and user experiences based on engagement data in order to increase key performance indicators.
CAPSTONE - UX Portfolio Design
UX Designers demonstrate their skills by showcasing their designs and processes in a portfolio. Understand what should and shouldn’t be included in a portfolio, as well as the key components that appeal to target audiences. Learn how to organize previous work and communicate it online, keeping the audience and your career objectives in mind. Apply storytelling and branding frameworks to create a personal profile that conveys a unique value proposition. You’ll also learn best practices for maintaining and updating a UX portfolio.
All our programs include
Real-time support
On demand help. Receive instant help with your learning directly in the classroom. Stay on track and get unstuck.
Career services
You’ll have access to Github portfolio review and LinkedIn profile optimization to help you advance your career and land a high-paying role.
Flexible learning program
Tailor a learning plan that fits your busy life. Learn at your own pace and reach your personal goals on the schedule that works best for you.
Program offerings
Class content
- Real-world projects
- Project reviews
- Project feedback from experienced reviewers
Student services
- Student community
- Real-time support
Career services
- Github review
- Linkedin profile optimization
Succeed with personalized services.
We provide services customized for your needs at every step of your learning journey to ensure your success.
- Experienced Project Reviewers
- Real-Time Support
Get timely feedback on your projects.
- Personalized feedback
- Unlimited submissions and feedback loops
- Practical tips and industry best practices
- Additional suggested resources to improve
1,400+ project reviewers
2.7M projects reviewed
88/100 reviewer rating
1.1 hours avg project review turnaround time
Learn with the best.
Learn with the best.
Shuang Liu
UX Designer, GoogleShuang has enjoyed working in UX design across a variety of domains at Google, from YouTube, to technical cloud platforms. She is particularly interested in bringing a human touch to products. She received her Master's in Human Computer Interaction from The University of Michigan.
Gabriel Ruttner
Co-Founder & CTO, Feather DocsGabe leads product, UX, and engineering for machine learning products at early-stage startups. His last company built UX research tools for designers at Fortune 500 companies. He holds degrees from Cornell University and Stony Brook University.
Michael Dedrick
UX Designer, GoogleMichael is a UX Designer for Google after leading design at a Blockchain startup and working at a partnership with Apple and IBM. He is committed to connecting with clients and users—and bringing their vision to life. He has a design background from Sheridan, Toronto Film School, and OCAD University.
Melissa Hui
Founder, Context LeapMelissa is the founder of Context Leap, an SF-based organizational and leadership transformation agency. With over a decade as a design and innovation strategist in the technology industry, she is dedicated to evolving the role of design in creating scalable and thoughtful human-centered experiences.
UX Designer Nanodegree Program
Get started today
Learn
Design impactful user experiences for products in today’s digital world.
Average Time
On average, successful students take 3 months to complete this program.
Benefits include
- Real-world projects from industry experts
- Real-time classroom support
- Career services
Program details
Program overview: Why should I take this program?
Why should I enroll?
As products become more digital, there is an increasing need for people who can design the digital interaction with web-based platforms, digital interfaces, and mobile and desktop applications.
This program is intended for students who would like to have a significant impact on the overall user experience of digital products, from defining user interactions with a product to designing its look & feel, without needing the technical expertise of an engineer or product manager. You’ll learn how to conduct user research, apply design psychology, and create user interface layouts. You’ll translate research into low-fidelity prototypes, and turn those into high-fidelity designs that are ready for engineering implementation. Along the way, you’ll build a UX portfolio-ready case study that will demonstrate your design capabilities.
What jobs will this program prepare me for?
This program is designed to prepare individuals to work as Design or UX Researchers, UX Designers, Product Designers, Design Leads, Interaction Designers, Visual Designers, and more within teams and organizations focused on launching digital products, including web-based platforms, digital interfaces, and mobile and desktop applications.
There are also roles such as UX Writers, who help create human-centric communications, and UX or Design Strategy roles, which focus on using design as a strategic lens to solve overarching challenges.
How do I know if this program is right for me?
This program is intended for anyone who wants to gain fluency and understanding of digital product design. If you want to learn how to shape user experiences of software products and how to prepare design assets within a cross-functional team, this program is for you.
Enrollment and Admission
Do I need to apply? What are the admission criteria?
No. This Nanodegree program accepts all applicants regardless of experience and specific background.
What are the prerequisites for enrollment?
No prior experience with UX Design is required. You will need to be comfortable with basic computer skills, such as managing files, using third-party online programs, and navigating the Internet through an online browser.
Tuition and Term of Program
How is this Nanodegree program structured?
The UX Designer Nanodegree program is comprised of content and curriculum to support three projects, and one capstone. We estimate that students can complete the program in three months, working ten hours per week.
Each project will be reviewed by the Udacity reviewer network. Feedback will be provided and if you do not pass the project, you will be asked to resubmit the project until it passes.
How long is this Nanodegree program?
You will have access to this Nanodegree program for as long as your subscription remains active. The estimated time to complete this program can be found on the webpage and in the syllabus, and is based on the average amount of time we project that it takes a student to complete the projects and coursework. See the Terms of Use and FAQs for other policies regarding the terms of access to our Nanodegree programs.
Can I switch my start date? Can I get a refund?
Please see the Udacity Program FAQs for policies on enrollment in our programs.
Software & Hardware
What software and versions will I need in this program?
For this program, you will need a computer with a broadband internet connection, capable of installing various open-source design tools. Note: Most consumer computers on the market today meet these requirements. You will need administrative access to be able to install software on your computer.
This program uses web-based platforms including Google Suite (Slides, Gallery, & Docs), Figma, Miro, Mobbin, Zeplin, WebAIM, Whimsical, Lookback, and Unbounce. You will have the option to use Keynote, PowerPoint, or Google Slides for your presentations. You will need to be able to communicate fluently and professionally in written and spoken English.