Product Design, Boot Camp

9 weeks

Introduction to Design Techniques  – 3 weeks

• Compare user research (UR), user experience (UX), and user interface (UI) as elements of the product design skill set
• Implement fundamental designs with industry standard tools like Figma
• Apply product design frameworks to a design project

Introduction to Responsible Design – 3 weeks

• Utilize frameworks and approaches for solving design problems while balancing user and business needs
• Implement foundational methodologies and techniques to creating ethical, inclusive, and accessible products
• Apply foundational design principles

Integrating Art and Visual Design  – 3 weeks

• Apply visual principles to improve a design layout
• Integrate accessible and inclusive visual design choices 
• Demonstrate the ability to balance responsible design methodologies with user and business goals in design solutions

9 weeks 

User Research – 3 weeks

• Define the initial research approach.
• Evaluate initial user research plan.
• Integrate methodologies for conducting research.
• Strategize to develop and communicate the direction of the research design.

Navigating the User Research Process – 3 weeks

• Define the approach to evaluating research data.
• Evaluate research data.
• Integrate methodologies for analyzing and synthesizing research.
• Strategize to communicate research findings to stakeholder.

User Experience Design – 3 weeks

• Define Lean UX and explain the role of MVPs (Minimum Viable Product) in generating continuous feedback.
• Identify strategies to ideate and converge on a solution for an initial problem.
• Assess how well prototypes address established design objectives.

12 weeks

Information Architecture – 3 weeks

• Explain how secondary research provides context to a design problem.
• Evaluate information architecture.
• Evaluate effectiveness of usability testing approach against research objectives.
• Communicate UI designs to teammates and stakeholders.

User Interface Design Principles- 3 weeks

• Perform a heuristic evaluation.
• Evaluate pattern implementation and accessibility.
• Provide recommendations for improving the usability and accessibility.

Design Systems – 3 weeks

• Create designs that adhere to the rules of a design system.
• Create feedback about results of interactions.
• Annotate designs to communicate implementation concerns .
• Provide recommendations for improving the usability and accessibility.

Portfolio and Case Studies – 3 weeks

• Create a case study that illustrates the value of completed work.
• Develop a product designer portfolio.
• Solve for design challenges in the interview process.

Product Design Capstone – 15 weeks

This capstone is dedicated to getting you job-ready! With your instructor’s guidance, you’ll polish your best work for your portfolio and learn how to develop your competitive edge, market yourself, and make the best possible impression in front of employers. You’ll also receive additional career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from your career coach.

• Execute a research plan, synthesize for a UR Project.
• Execute appropriate methods of iteration and testing to generate insights to a UX design.
• Execute visual design and interaction principles to create an intuitive interface.
• Communicate findings for the appropriate stakeholders.
• Create a case study and integrate into your design portfolio.