• For Individuals
  • For Businesses
  • For Universities
  • For Governments
Coursera
  • Online Degrees
  • Careers
  • Log In
  • Join for Free
    Coursera
    • Browse
    • Software Design

    Software Design Courses Online

    Learn software design for developing robust applications. Understand design patterns, object-oriented principles, and user-centered design.

    Filter by

    Subject
    Required
     *
    Language
    Required
     *

    The language used throughout the course, in both instruction and assessments.

    Learning Product
    Required
     *
    Build job-relevant skills in under 2 hours with hands-on tutorials.
    Learn from top instructors with graded assignments, videos, and discussion forums.
    Learn a new tool or skill in an interactive, hands-on environment.
    Get in-depth knowledge of a subject by completing a series of courses and projects.
    Earn career credentials from industry leaders that demonstrate your expertise.
    Earn career credentials while taking courses that count towards your Master’s degree.
    Earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s degree online for a fraction of the cost of in-person learning.
    Complete graduate-level learning without committing to a full degree program.
    Earn a university-issued career credential in a flexible, interactive format.
    Graduate level learning within reach.
    Level
    Required
     *
    Duration
    Required
     *
    Skills
    Required
     *
    Subtitles
    Required
     *
    Educator
    Required
     *

    Explore the Software Design Course Catalog

    • U

      University of Alberta

      Reviews & Metrics for Software Improvements

      Skills you'll gain: Software Engineering, Agile Software Development, Application Development, Leadership and Management

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.6K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Colorado Boulder

      Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview

      Skills you'll gain: Graphic Design

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      975 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Minnesota

      Introduction to UI Design

      Skills you'll gain: Human Computer Interaction, Research and Design, User Experience, User Experience Design, User Research

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.4K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Understanding User Needs

      Skills you'll gain: Research and Design, User Experience, User Experience Design, User Research, Human Computer Interaction, People Analysis, Design and Product, Critical Thinking, Data Analysis, Communication

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      509 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • S

      Scrimba

      UI Design for Web Developers

      Skills you'll gain: HTML and CSS, Javascript, Web Design, Web Development

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      8 reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • I

      IBM

      Designing User Interfaces and Experiences (UI/UX)

      Skills you'll gain: Strategy, User Experience

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      202 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Placeholder
      U

      University of Michigan

      Programming for Designers

      Skills you'll gain: Computational Thinking, Data Structures, Python Programming

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Placeholder
      M

      Michigan State University

      Game Design and Development 2: 2D Platformer

      Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, User Experience, Interactive Design, Storytelling, User Experience Design, Creativity, Human Computer Interaction, Visual Design

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      112 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Placeholder
      Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Alberta

      Introdução ao Gerenciamento de produtos de software

      Skills you'll gain: Data Management, Databases, Leadership and Management

      4.4
      Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
      ·
      32 reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Placeholder
      P

      Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

      Fundamentos de UX y de los requisitos de software

      4.9
      Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
      ·
      52 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Placeholder
      A

      Arm

      Cortex-M Software Development Fundamentals

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      29 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Placeholder
      U

      University of Michigan

      Evaluating Designs with Users

      Skills you'll gain: Human Computer Interaction, User Experience, User Research, Design and Product

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      286 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    Searches related to software design

    software design and architecture
    software design threats and mitigations
    software design methods and tools
    software design as an abstraction
    software design as an element of the software development lifecycle
    secure software design
    software engineering: software design and project management
    java programming: principles of software design
    1…567…473

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular software design courses

    • Reviews & Metrics for Software Improvements: University of Alberta
    • Basic Elements of Design: Design Principles and Software Overview: University of Colorado Boulder
    • Introduction to UI Design: University of Minnesota
    • Understanding User Needs: University of Michigan
    • UI Design for Web Developers: Scrimba
    • Designing User Interfaces and Experiences (UI/UX): IBM
    • Programming for Designers: University of Michigan
    • Game Design and Development 2: 2D Platformer: Michigan State University
    • Introdução ao Gerenciamento de produtos de software: University of Alberta
    • Fundamentos de UX y de los requisitos de software: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

    Skills you can learn in Software Development

    Programming Language (34)
    Google (25)
    Computer Program (21)
    Software Testing (21)
    Web (19)
    Google Cloud Platform (18)
    Application Programming Interfaces (17)
    Data Structure (16)
    Problem Solving (14)
    Object-oriented Programming (13)
    Kubernetes (10)
    List & Label (10)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Software Design

    Software design is the process of creating a plan to guide the development of a software solution based on an assessment of user requirements determined through research and testing. It is a very important phase of the software development lifecycle, as software design provides the foundation for subsequent coding and implementation by programmers and software engineers.

    The software design process may encompass many aspects including planning for software architecture, design of user interfaces and other visual elements, and the selection of software design patterns and other components. Application security is another critical consideration for software design, and implementing secure practices as early as possible in the software development lifecycle can help ensure that the final product provides adequate protections for business and customer data.‎

    An understanding of software design principles can be a terrific asset for a career in software development, as it provides an overarching view of the entire software development lifecycle. In some ways, you can think of the software designer as the architect whose vision directs the work of a team of engineers and construction workers. According to Glassdoor, software designers in the U.S. earn an average annual salary of $92,046 - significantly more than software programmers, whose average salary according to Glassdoor is $76,526.‎

    Certainly. Taking online courses on Coursera has become an incredibly popular way for students from around the world to learn about a wide range of computer science topics, including software design. Top-ranked schools like the University of Alberta, the University of Colorado, and the University of Minnesota offer individual courses as well as Specializations spanning multiple courses covering software design and related topics such as application security and software design patterns. And, since you can view lessons and complete coursework on a flexible schedule, you can build these valuable, job-ready skills regardless of whether you’re a student or a mid-career professional looking to upgrade your skill set.‎

    The skills and experience you might want to acquire before starting to learn software design would include practical knowledge and work experience in all kinds of software development work, from websites to apps to network maintenance and more. You may already have skills or experience in designing, developing, and installing software for enterprise information systems via an internship or job role.‎

    Some of the common career paths for someone in software design might include starting out in junior roles in web design and development, and possibly moving into creative director roles for gaming systems (if on the creative side), or software analysis manager, if more geared to the operational side of the business. Software design workers could also possibly branch off into deeply analytical roles like computer science engineer, or information research scientist, depending on the company and industry.‎

    The kind of people best suited for roles in software design are computer science enthusiasts, who love programming and are excited about creating new software possibilities. These people are often creative, focused, and cerebral individuals who know programming languages such as Java, SQL, and Python. These languages are important to know as a software designer’s work may include developing software projects and programs for external clients or internal company usage. They might also write code, create charts and diagrams to represent the software, and may even supervise a team of programmers.‎

    Learning software design may be right for you if you love design challenges, love working with new software tools, and are interested in building a lucrative career in software design. You may be able to earn a good income in software design, as jobs for software developers are expected to rise by over 20% in the next decade, according to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you find passion in work that involves designing computer systems, projecting network capabilities, and determining performance interfaces, then learning software design may be a good step in the right direction.‎

    Online Software Design courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Software Design skills. Choose from a wide range of Software Design courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Software Design, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

    Other topics to explore

    Placeholder
    Arts and Humanities
    338 courses
    Placeholder
    Business
    1095 courses
    Placeholder
    Computer Science
    668 courses
    Placeholder
    Data Science
    425 courses
    Placeholder
    Information Technology
    145 courses
    Placeholder
    Health
    471 courses
    Placeholder
    Math and Logic
    70 courses
    Placeholder
    Personal Development
    137 courses
    Placeholder
    Physical Science and Engineering
    413 courses
    Placeholder
    Social Sciences
    401 courses
    Placeholder
    Language Learning
    150 courses

    Coursera Footer

    Get Started with AI

    • AWS & DLAI GenAI with LLMs Course
    • DLAI AI For Everyone Course
    • Google AI Essentials Course
    • Google Cloud Introduction to Generative AI Course
    • Google Prompting Essentials
    • IBM AI Engineering Professional Certificate
    • IBM Generative AI Fundamentals Specialization
    • IBM Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Stanford AI in Healthcare Specialization
    • DLAI Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification
    • Vanderbilt Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT Course

    Popular Career Certificates

    • Adobe Content Creator Professional Certificate
    • Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
    • Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
    • Google Digital Marketing Professional Certificate
    • Google IT Support Professional Certificate
    • Google Project Management Professional Certificate
    • Google UX Design Professional Certificate
    • IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
    • Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate
    • Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Professional Certificate
    • All Career Certificates

    Popular Subjects

    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cybersecurity
    • Data Analytics
    • Digital Marketing
    • Generative AI
    • Graphic Design
    • Machine Learning
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsof Power BI
    • Project Management
    • Python
    • SQL
    • All Courses

    Popular Resources

    • High-Income Skills Worth Learning
    • How to Get a PMP Certification
    • Free IT Certifications and Courses
    • Google Analytics Certification: Benefits and How to Get It
    • Popular Cybersecurity Certifications
    • Popular Data Analytics Certifications
    • Popular IT Certifications
    • What Does a Data Analyst Do?
    • What Is the CAPM Certification
    • Career Insights & Advice Hub
    • Career Tools & Resource Hub

    Coursera

    • About
    • What We Offer
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Catalog
    • Coursera Plus
    • Professional Certificates
    • MasterTrack® Certificates
    • Degrees
    • For Enterprise
    • For Government
    • For Campus
    • Become a Partner
    • Social Impact
    • Free Courses
    • ECTS Credit Recommendations

    Community

    • Learners
    • Partners
    • Beta Testers
    • Blog
    • The Coursera Podcast
    • Tech Blog
    • Teaching Center

    More

    • Press
    • Investors
    • Terms
    • Privacy
    • Help
    • Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Articles
    • Directory
    • Affiliates
    • Modern Slavery Statement
    • Do Not Sell/Share
    Learn Anywhere
    Placeholder
    Placeholder
    Placeholder
    © 2024 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Placeholder
    • Placeholder
    • Placeholder
    • Placeholder
    • Placeholder
    • Placeholder