Free UX Design Course
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In an era dominated by digital experiences, the demand for exceptional user interfaces is more pronounced than ever. From the smallest startups to the tech titans shaping the industry, the emphasis on providing outstanding user experiences has become a cornerstone of success.
As we step into 2024, the relevance and popularity of UX design as a career choice continue to soar. In fact, it secured the 24th spot on Glassdoor’s prestigious list of the Best Jobs in America for 2022, and we’re excited to see how the 2023 list will turn out.
One of the best things about entering the world of UX design is that it doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. A wealth of free courses is readily available, covering everything from the fundamentals to advanced techniques and the latest trends in UX design, making them accessible to anyone with a passion for creating exceptional digital experiences.
To save you the hassle of navigating the myriad options, we’ve combed the offerings to present you with a curated list of the best free UX design bootcamps. Join us as we explore the free UX design bootcamps that are best equipped to set you on the path to success. Keep reading to discover the key to unlocking a rewarding career in design!
Best Free UX Design Bootcamps
Here are our nine top picks for free UX design bootcamps.
| PROVIDER | RATING | DURATION |
|---|---|---|
| Springboard | 4.63 out of 5 | The course is 17 units long and takes approximately 15 hours to complete. |
| Google UX Design Certificate | 5 out of 5 | The program is designed to be completed at your own pace, with learners expected to invest 5-10 hours of study per week for six months. |
| Career Foundry | 4.67 out of 5 | The course doesn’t have a specific duration, it’s designed with self-paced learning in mind, allowing learners to progress through the content at their own speed. |
| LearnUX | 465 likes to 23 dislikes | The course lasts 2 hours and 12 minutes, providing a concise and focused learning experience. You can complete the course at your own pace, gaining practical insights into starting a career in UX design. |
| Baseline | 4.3 out of 5 | The bootcamp does not specify a fixed duration, allowing you to progress at your own pace and pick and choose the units you’re interested in. The course structure includes various parts, each with an estimated time commitment, ranging from six to 45 hours. |
| UX Design Institute | 4.81 out of 5 | The duration of the free UX design course is flexible, allowing you to complete it at your own pace. The course consists of seven short lessons, each with its own video tutorial, and learners can progress through the content based on their availability and learning speed. |
| Udacity | 4.7 out of 5 | As the course is self-paced, individuals can progress through the lessons based on availability and learning speed. The flexibility allows participants to complete the course at a comfortable pace. |
| California Institute Of The Arts (On Coursera) | 4.7 out of 5 | The UI/UX Design Specialization is designed to be completed in approximately two months, with an estimated commitment of 10 hours per week. The course allows for a flexible schedule, enabling you to learn quickly. |
| Codecademy | 4.5 out of 5 | The Introduction to UI and UX Design course will take approximately two hours to complete. However, it’s completely self-paced, so you can take as much time as you need. |
Springboard
Springboard’s free UX design course provides a comprehensive UX/UI design introduction. It consists of 17 learning units and over 40 resources, covering the fundamentals of UX/UI design, including design thinking, wireframing, sketching, visual design principles, and insights into the UX/UI industry and related careers. The course aims to equip individuals with the skills, methods, and tools needed to pursue a role in the design industry.
RATING
FEATURES
- The curriculum is designed to introduce learners to the most relevant design topics, providing a head start for the Springboard UX Design Bootcamp
- Beginner friendly
- Suitable for upskilling
DURATION
The course is 17 units long and takes approximately 15 hours to complete.
Google UX Design Certificate
The Google UX Design Certificate, hosted on Coursera, is a fully online program designed to provide the skills necessary for an entry-level job in UX design. It covers various topics, including developing personas, user stories, and user journey maps, conducting usability studies, creating wireframes and prototypes, testing and iterating on designs, and building a professional portfolio. The course is suitable for individuals with no prior experience in design.
RATING
FEATURES
- 100% remote, online learning
- The curriculum includes instruction on design tools like Figma and Adobe XD. Learners will also use spreadsheets, word processing applications, and presentation applications. The program emphasizes creating a professional portfolio using the platform of the learner’s choice
- Job-ready skills
- Career support, such as preparing for interviews
- Free and premium options available
DURATION
The program is designed to be completed at your own pace, with learners expected to invest 5-10 hours of study per week for six months.
Career Foundry
The CareerFoundry UX Design for Beginners Course is a comprehensive introduction to UX design. Consisting of six tutorials, the course covers the definition, areas, and origins of UX design. Learners will delve into the essential skills needed to build a professional portfolio and kickstart a career as a UX designer. Each tutorial includes a video introduction, detailed text, interactive quizzes, and optional practical tasks.
RATING
FEATURES
- The course is self-paced and structured into six tutorials, combining video content, comprehensive text, quizzes, and practical tasks
- Assessment available
- Optional practical tasks
- Discount incentive
DURATION
The course doesn’t have a specific duration, it’s designed with self-paced learning in mind, allowing learners to progress through the content at their own speed.
LearnUX
The “Career in UX Course” is a comprehensive resource designed to guide individuals in starting their careers as UX designers. Authored by Michal Mazur, a UX design expert, the course provides practical insights into the field, offering actionable knowledge on working as a UX designer. The course covers various aspects of UX design, including the design process, different job roles, specializations, and essential skills required in the industry. The course aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, making it valuable for beginners and those already in the field.
RATING
FEATURES
- Video tutorials
- The course is authored by Michal Mazur, a UX design professional with expertise in user research, UX architecture, and designing highly usable interfaces
- Beginner friendly
DURATION
The course lasts 2 hours and 12 minutes, providing a concise and focused learning experience. You can complete the course at your own pace, gaining practical insights into starting a career in UX design.
Baseline
The Baseline Education Free Design Bootcamp is a unique and comprehensive resource designed to provide individuals with a solid foundation in design principles and skills. Created in-house by expert educators, the bootcamp offers 100% original course materials and is available free of charge for everyone. The course covers a wide range of topics, starting with the basics of design and gradually progressing to more specialized skills such as UX and UI design. The curriculum is carefully crafted to ensure learners gain real, broad-based skills before delving into specialized areas.
RATING
FEATURES
- The course content is created in-house by expert educators, ensuring authenticity and relevance
- Real, broad-based skills taught
- Feedback from experts
- Portfolio building
- Global community
DURATION
The bootcamp does not specify a fixed duration, allowing you to progress at your own pace and pick and choose the units you’re interested in. The course structure includes various parts, each with an estimated time commitment, ranging from six to 45 hours.
UX Design Institute
The UX Design Institute’s Free Introduction to UX Design Course is a seven-lesson program designed for beginners interested in exploring the field of UX design. The course provides essential concepts of UX design through engaging video tutorials and curated articles, allowing learners to pace themselves through the content. It serves as an ideal starting point for individuals looking to understand the fundamentals of UX and determine if a UX career is the right fit for them.
RATING
FEATURES
- Self-paced learning
- Video lessons
- Additional resources available
- The free UX design course draws content from the Professional Diploma in UX Design, a university credit-rated study program with a proven track record in helping individuals launch successful careers in UX
- Transferable skills
DURATION
The duration of the free UX design course is flexible, allowing you to complete it at your own pace. The course consists of seven short lessons, each with its own video tutorial, and learners can progress through the content based on their availability and learning speed.
Udacity
The Udacity Product Design Course is a comprehensive program designed for individuals seeking to enhance their skills in product validation, UI/UX practices, Google’s Design Sprint, and the process for setting and tracking actionable metrics. The course covers key aspects of product development, from ideation and validation to designing user interfaces and understanding critical metrics for websites and apps.
RATING
FEATURES
- Self-paced learning
- Live classes
- Mentorship
- Practical projects
- Certificates available
DURATION
As the course is self-paced, individuals can progress through the lessons based on availability and learning speed. The flexibility allows participants to complete the course at a comfortable pace.
California Institute Of The Arts (On Coursera)
The UI/UX Design Specialization offered by the California Institute of the Arts on Coursera is a comprehensive program focused on designing high-impact user experiences for websites and apps. The specialization adopts a design-centric approach, providing practical, skill-based instruction emphasizing visual communications. Throughout the four-course series, participants will cover the entire UI/UX development process, from user research to creating effective and compelling screen-based experiences.
RATING
FEATURES
- Self-paced learning
- Industry expert instructors
- Hands-on projects
- Shareable certificate
- Specializations available
DURATION
The UI/UX Design Specialization is designed to be completed in approximately two months, with an estimated commitment of 10 hours per week. The course allows for a flexible schedule, enabling you to learn quickly.
Codecademy
The Introduction to UI and UX Design course offered by Codecademy provides a foundational understanding of User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design. Geared towards beginners, this course covers the theories and methodologies behind UI and UX design. Participants get hands-on experience by designing their wireframes and interactive prototypes. The course aims to equip learners with essential skills to collaborate effectively on team projects and explore new UI/UX design career opportunities.
RATING
FEATURES
- Beginner-friendly
- Certificate of completion
- No prerequisites
- The course is structured into three lessons, two projects, and three quizzes, covering topics such as UI and UX design introduction, wireframes, and prototyping with Figma
- Hands-on learning
DURATION
The Introduction to UI and UX Design course will take approximately two hours to complete. However, it’s completely self-paced, so you can take as much time as you need.
How Do You Choose a Free Design Bootcamp?
While there isn’t as much pressure to pick right the first time regarding free courses, it’s still important to know what to look for in a good course. Here are some of the main things to consider:
Syllabus and Content – When choosing a free UX design bootcamp, carefully examine the syllabus and content. Look for a well-rounded curriculum that covers essential aspects of user experience design, such as user research, wireframing, prototyping, and interaction design. You’ll also want a course that provides a comprehensive understanding of both the aesthetic and functional aspects of UX design.
Skills Taught – A good UX design bootcamp should impart technical skills and in-demand soft skills like communication and collaboration. Assess the skills taught in the course and determine if they align with your career goals. Consider if the bootcamp goes beyond basic UX principles and covers emerging trends and technologies in the field.
Schedule and Flexible Learning Options – Examine the schedule and learning options offered by the bootcamp. Full-time courses typically need a higher time commitment, while part-time options may be more suitable if you have work or other commitments. Self-paced courses provide complete flexibility but require strong self-discipline. Of these three options, make sure to choose a schedule that aligns with your availability and preferred learning style.
Reviews and Ratings – Before committing to a UX design bootcamp, read reviews and ratings from past learners. Pay attention to feedback regarding the effectiveness of the curriculum, quality of instructors, and overall learning experience. Real insights from former students can provide valuable information about what to expect from the bootcamp.
Specialization – Consider if the bootcamp offers any specialization or advanced modules. A well-designed specialization can provide a deeper dive into specific areas of UX design, allowing you to tailor your learning experience. Assess whether the specialization aligns with your interests and career goals, providing a unique edge to your skillset.
Get To Know Other Design Students
Pete Bruno
Product UX Designer at Service Management Group
Trixy Woodhouse
UX Designer at Nike
Sinem Ozkaya
UX Designer at Microsoft
Making the Most out of a Free UX Design Bootcamp or Course
Of course, even if you choose the best bootcamp there is, it won’t do its job properly if you don’t put the effort in. Here are some of our best tips on making the most of a free UX design bootcamp. Realistic expectations will help you make decisions that best suit your learning style.
Are Free UX Design Bootcamps Worth It?
Starting your journey with a free UX design bootcamp raises the question: Are these programs worth your time and effort? The answer lies in understanding your goals, preferences, and the specific offerings of the bootcamp. While free UX design bootcamps can provide valuable insights, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons. Consider factors such as the comprehensiveness of the curriculum, the quality of practical applications, and the relevance of skills taught.
Ultimately, the worthiness of a free UX design bootcamp depends on how well it aligns with your aspirations and contributes to your professional growth in the dynamic field of UX design. It also depends on your learning style—even the most immersive free courses are mostly independent and self-paced because live classes and mentorship are usually the most expensive things for schools to provide. If you think you need live instruction and 1:1 help, a paid course might be a better option for you.
FAQs About Free UX Design Bootcamps
Can I Learn UX Design on My Own?
Yes, it’s possible to learn UX design on your own. Many online resources, tutorials, and communities offer valuable insights. However, joining a structured bootcamp can provide a more guided and comprehensive learning experience and the opportunity to learn with others.
Does UX Design Need Coding?
While coding skills can be beneficial, they’re not mandatory for UX design. UX designers focus on user experience, research, and design principles. Coding skills can enhance your versatility and help you work with UI designers, but many successful UX designers excel without extensive coding knowledge.
Will UX Design Be Replaced by AI?
AI may impact certain aspects of UX design, but the human-centric elements, such as empathy, creativity, and understanding user behavior, remain crucial and cannot be replicated by current AI products. UX designers will likely collaborate with AI tools more often in the future to increase productivity.
How Do I Get Into UX Design With No Experience?
Start by building a strong portfolio with personal or freelance projects. Take online courses or join free bootcamps to acquire foundational skills. Networking, attending UX events, and seeking mentorship can also help you enter the field.
What’s the Fastest Way To Become a UX Designer?
The fastest way to become a UX designer involves a combination of structured learning, hands-on projects, and networking. Enrolling in a focused UX design bootcamp, consistently practicing design skills, and connecting with professionals can expedite your journey into the field.
Since you’re here
If you want to work in design, you can. It’s that simple. With our UX Bootcamp, we’ll help you launch your design career in 9 months or less. Browse our free UX salary guide to see what you could be making
