This course is focused on the early user experience (UX) challenges of research, planning, setting goals, understanding the user, structuring content, and developing interactive sequences. While the concepts covered will translate to many kinds of interactive media (apps, digital kiosks, games), our primary focus will be on designing contemporary, responsive websites. In this course you will complete the first half of a large scale project—developing a comprehensive plan for a complex website—by defining the strategy and scope of the site, as well as developing its information architecture and overall structure. Along the way we will also discuss:
Offered By
UI / UX Design SpecializationCalifornia Institute of the ArtsAbout this Course
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Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 3 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Intermediate Level
Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Skills you will gain
Adobe IllustratorAdobe IndesignTreejack
Shareable Certificate
Earn a Certificate upon completion
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Course 3 of 4 in the
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Intermediate Level
Approx. 12 hours to complete
English
Subtitles: English
Offered by
California Institute of the Arts
CalArts has earned an international reputation as the leading college of the visual and performing arts in the United States. Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools—Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater—CalArts has championed creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
22 minutes to complete
Course Overview
Welcome! In this first module I will summarize the assignments and expectations of this course.
22 minutes to complete
1 video (Total 3 min), 9 readings
1 video
9 readings
About this course2m
About the assignments3m
Required tools2m
Instructor Presence and Staff Support 1m
Forum Guidelines2m
Requesting Peer Reviews2m
Academic Integrity2m
Extended free trial offer from Optimal Workshop2m
About CalArts and the Program in Graphic Design3m
2 hours to complete
The User Experience Process
This week I will give you a brief overview of the user experience process that I will teach in this course sequence. We will begin by defining the term "user experience", and then briefly look at the five phases of UX design: Strategy, Outline of Scope, Sitemap, Wireframes, and Visual Mockups. I will also talk about the differences between mobile apps and websites, and the differences between waterfall and agile approaches to UX design. Lastly, I will introduce you to the main project that you will be working on in this course and the one that follows it. You’ll be starting your first assignment at the end of the week. Last, here's something to keep in mind this week: “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”—Steve Jobs
2 hours to complete
9 videos (Total 39 min), 5 readings, 2 quizzes
9 videos
Defining the term "user experience"4m
User-centric design3m
What could possibly go wrong?4m
The UX Phases (part 1)4m
The UX Phases (part 2)3m
Waterfall vs. Agile4m
Web vs. App7m
Project Ideas: Alyson and Bradley5m
5 readings
Job Titles in the Web Industry7m
About Web vs. App optional quiz1m
Project Brief5m
Try it yourself: Research existing restaurants15m
A Final Thought for the Week1m
1 practice exercise
Web vs. App30m
3 hours to complete
Asking Good Questions: Determining Strategy
This week is all about strategy. We will talk about how to conduct research in the beginning of a project. And I will tell you about the importance of defining a target audience for your website. We’ll also discuss how to determine user needs and client needs. The strategy that you develop in this first step in the UX process will influence all decisions you make further down the line. That’s why it’s so important to take the time and think about what you want to accomplish, what the goals are, and how they might be measured when the project launches.
3 hours to complete
8 videos (Total 90 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
8 videos
User Research2m
Inspiration4m
Analytics5m
User Needs and Client Needs7m
Target Audience7m
Strategy: Alyson and Bradley16m
Interview with Craig Cooke: Determining success45m
5 readings
Inspirational Websites20m
Try it yourself: User research methods15m
Example User and Client Needs: Pasadena Conservatory2m
User Personas10m
A Final Thought for the Week1m
3 hours to complete
What is in and What is Out: Outlining Scope
3 hours to complete
6 videos (Total 65 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz
6 videos
Introduction to Outline of Scope3m
Content and Functionality8m
Outline of Scope Example4m
Scope: Alyson and Bradley16m
Interview with Melissa Kuo30m
2 readings
Try it yourself: Sorting content and functionality requirements10m
A Final Thought for the Week1m
3 hours to complete
Getting your Ducks in a Row: The Sitemap
Welcome to the last week of this course. With your outline of scope in hand, you will now learn how to transform the content and functionality requirements determined last week into a navigable structure. This structure will be visualized by something called a sitemap. I’ll tell you all about sitemaps and how to create them. Along the way we will also define the term "information architecture". And I will introduce a tool called TreeJack, which will enable you to test your site map on actual users.
3 hours to complete
10 videos (Total 43 min), 5 readings, 1 quiz
10 videos
Introduction to Sitemaps2m
Information Architecture1m
Sitemap Concerns8m
Sitemapping: an annotated process5m
Sitemap Elements3m
Sitemap Example2m
Treejack Introduction3m
Treejack Analysis5m
Sitemap: Alyson and Bradley10m
5 readings
My Stuff or Your Stuff?5m
Try it Yourself: Test your sitemap using Treejack30m
Other UX tools from Optimal Workshop5m
Next Steps2m
A Final Thought for the Week1m
Reviews
TOP REVIEWS FROM WEB DESIGN: STRATEGY AND INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
by SSJul 27, 2019
This course is extremely beneficial who wish to understand as to how web designing happens and works. I helps build strategy as it show show to build your ideas when you are actually working.
by PTSep 24, 2020
Great content, I think most of the concept was taught in my highschool Information Technology subject, however, this is a good reinforcement. The peer reviewing process needs to be improved.
by SWApr 17, 2019
This course was fantastic! Content clear and the best part was seeing the instructor with actual students discussing actual projects. I would highly recommend this course. Thanks!
by MHOct 14, 2019
A very well designed and thought-out course! I have completed the previous 2 in the specialization so far, but this one was the best of the 3 courses I have completed so far!
About the UI / UX Design Specialization
The UI/UX Design Specialization brings a design-centric approach to user interface and user experience design, and offers practical, skill-based instruction centered around a visual communications perspective, rather than on one focused on marketing or programming alone. In this sequence of four courses, you will summarize and demonstrate all stages of the UI/UX development process, from user research to defining a project’s strategy, scope, and information architecture, to developing sitemaps and wireframes. You’ll learn current best practices and conventions in UX design and apply them to create effective and compelling screen-based experiences for websites or apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
- The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
- The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You'll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. You'll need to complete this step for each course in the Specialization, including the Capstone Project. Learn more.
What tools or software will I need to complete this course?
Since this is a graphic design course, to complete the assignments you will need access to a desktop or laptop computer with the appropriate software installed. You can't really do graphic design work properly on a smartphone or tablet. Adobe CC software is recommended for these courses, but alternatives are available. Software will be reviewed in greater detail in the first week of the course.
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
