User Experience for the Web

The discipline of user experience examines how we interact with the products and systems that surround us; everything from our kitchen appliances to smart phones. This course provides an overview of the general principles of user experience for the online world. You will learn about tools and techniques you can use to begin to create great user experiences. It will address the design of websites and customer interactions for the online world.

User experience also involves balancing the needs of users with the business objectives, and resolving any conflicts between the two. Learn why it is so important to learn about your users, and be introduced to some useful tools to help do this, such as user profiling and personas. Students will also learn about the design process itself, and how user-centred design fits with traditional software development cycles.

What will I learn?

• The characteristics of user experience design, usability, and user centred design
• The factors that influence interface design, and how to balance these requirements
• The design streams that impact interface design, and design techniques from each stream:
  • Information Design
  • Interaction Design
  • Visual Design
• How branding is an important part of user experience
• The importance of accessibility online
• The importance of knowing your users and:
  • What you need to know
  • How to learn about them
  • How to communicate your findings
• Key usability evaluation techniques, including:
  • Walkthroughs
  • Usability testing
  • Expert review
  • Competitor analysis

This course requires approximately 2 - 4 hours of study per week, but can vary depending on the student. This includes watching videos, and taking quizzes and assessments.

If you pass this course you'll receive a Certificate of Achievement. While this certificate isn't a formal qualification or credit, you can use it to demonstrate your interest in learning about this area to potential employers or educational institutions.

Where could this lead me?

If you're wondering what your future could look like in this area, here are some potential careers you could head towards.

• Social media manager
• Web designer
• Web developer
• Web publisher
• Webmaster
• Assistant web designer
• Assistant web designer
• Technical writer
• Website coordinator
• Webmaster assistant

MODULE 1: OVERVIEW OF USER EXPERIENCE   MODULE 2: THE ELEMENTS OF UX   MODULE 3: KNOWING YOUR USERS