Are Free UX/UI Classes Worth It?

You've probably seen the websites that promise you can become a UX Designer for free. As the old saying goes, "there is no such thing as a free lunch," but that doesn't mean free videos are not worth your time. They can be a valuable introduction to a new field if you are thinking of becoming a User Experience (UX) Designer and changing jobs.

YouTube Videos

You've probably seen some of the many videos on YouTube by self-described UX Designers. Some describe their paths to becoming designers, talk about what they do day-to-day, and give advice on starting a UX design career. Some have titles like "How I Became a UX Designer," "Make $250,000 as a UX Designer," or "Why UX Design Is Not a Good Career." These first-hand videos can be interesting, but they will not teach you how to become a UX Designer. It's helpful to listen to a few stories from people who made the journey, but that won't teach you how to get there.

Free Intro Courses

On the other hand, there are free videos that can teach you something. Many schools that offer UX design courses have YouTube channels with free videos, including Noble Desktop's YouTube channel. These overviews can help you decide if UX design is the right field for you.

There are many free video courses to get you started in UX design. Some platforms offer the option to take paid courses after the free ones, while some offer limited-time free trials. Some of the courses are offered by companies that produce design software tools, while others are from schools and training programs.

Are Free Tutorials Enough?

Some people can learn from free tutorials, but others prefer to have an instructor so they can ask questions and discuss thoughts. Another issue with free tutorials is that it can be difficult to assess the value of instruction in these videos, especially when new to the field. When you have a general idea of what UX design is, it is time to sign up for a class.

Career Centers and Technical Schools

Many career centers and technical schools offer online bootcamps and certificate programs in UX & UI design. Noble Desktop falls into this category. Located in New York City, Noble offers in-person and live remote classes in UX & UI design and other tech fields. You can choose from one to two-day bootcamps or more in-depth certificate courses, which take longer to complete.

Bootcamps and Short Courses

In a UX & UI design bootcamp, you will learn the skills needed to find a job in the user-centered design field. In a few days, bootcamps can teach you the basic foundations and practices in UX design and cover the essential knowledge you need to get started. Noble Desktop offers bootcamps in both UX and visual design. 

A bootcamp is pricier than a short course, but it is worth the price for the level of instruction. For instance, Noble Desktop's UX Design Foundation course is $695, whereas the UI Design Bootcamp costs $1,695.00. However, both are significantly less than college tuition and fees. 

All in all, a bootcamp is designed to be a hands-on, project-based learning experience. When you are finished, you will have a design portfolio to show prospective clients. But if you want to change careers and become a UX & UI Designer, you should consider enrolling in a certificate program. 

Certificate Programs

In the UX & UI Design Certificate from Noble Desktop, you will learn all of the skills you need to find a job in the user-centered design field. You will learn how to conduct user research, create scenarios and personas, and build journey maps. You'll learn to design prototypes using digital collaborative tools like Sketch and Figma. You'll conduct usability testing, then present your findings to the class. You will create a case study documenting your process, and this will go into your portfolio to help you get your first design job. This course will teach you the basic foundations and practices of user experience design.

The assignments in certificate programs are designed to create a portfolio that you can show to prospective employers and clients. You will also get a mentor, an experienced UX & UI Designer, whom you can talk to for career advice and help with your job search. This includes a critique and help with putting together your portfolio. Another advantage of taking a UX & UI design certificate course is that the instructors are employed professionals in the design industry. They are working with the latest technology and know about current trends. 

It takes around 78 hours of instruction to complete a UX & UI design certificate. You can choose between full or part-time classes and whether you want classes that meet during the day, evening, or on weekends, so you can work around your current job schedule. When you complete a certificate course, you will receive a digital certificate that you can post on LinkedIn or your website. Noble Desktop issues a verified digital certificate of completion recognized by the New York State Department of Education. This type of certificate and a high-quality portfolio of work can help you get a job as a UX & UI Designer.

Noble Desktop's UX & UI design certificate course costs $3,495 for the two-four month program. Financing is available through an installment program or student loans. Some employers also reimburse for tuition. Another advantage of the Noble Desktop program is the ability to repeat a class for free during the subsequent year.

Conclusion

It's easy to learn UX & UI design and start a new career. Check out Noble Desktop's UX design classes or visual design classes. Choose between in-person sessions in NYC at Noble's location or sign up for live online UX & UI design courses and attend from anywhere. Use Noble Desktop's Classes Near Me to find other UX & UI design bootcamps in your area.