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Berkeley Global
Study the principles of information, interaction and navigation design to organize and present information for optimal user interface design (UI). Examine human-computer interaction (HCI) in the context of graphical user interfaces (GUI) by exploring the core principles of UI. These principles include: make it intuitive to interact with the interface: perception, simplicity, clarity, consistency, hierarchy (visual and temporal); and the human capabilities that motivate them, including motor skills, attention and human error. (In other words, "Good design is as little design as possible" by Dieter Rams.)
Lessons in UI, color theory, Gestalt principles, style guides and a holistic approach to design help strengthen your interface knowledge. The interface can take on many forms such as apps, kiosks, websites, software and many more. Course curriculum focuses on interfaces for digital products and experiences. Learn in a studio-style format that prioritizes collaborative/cooperative discussion for a more active learning environment. You leave the course with a comprehensive project presentation to add to your UX portfolio.
See a sample of former student Lulu Wang who works for Altitude Networks as a UX designer.
Prerequisites:
While this entry-level course is suitable for people from any discipline, you must have a working knowledge of at least one of more design tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Axure or Sketch.
Course Outline
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Course Objectives
UC Berkeley Extension designs the best possible online learning experience to develop your skills to create a quality portfolio and become a confident research and design professional.
Create a meaningful portfolio of your work targeted towards design leaders Implement graphical user responsive interfaces for computers, tablets, smartphones, kiosks and a variety of devices
- Differentiate UI design from other design disciplines
- Describe the context of UI design within the full design process
- Cite the foundational principles of an effective user interface
- Establish design direction for your UI based on the problems you are solving
- Synthesize numerous interactions around a common concept/identity
- Break down an interaction into discrete detailed microinteractions
- Communicate a set of logical conditions through multiple states within an interaction
- Articulate the psychology behind what makes UI design work
- Demonstrate an understanding of group dynamics and persuasive storytelling
- Illustrate the basic content and functionality of your interaction
What You Learn
This user interface design class explores many crucial aspects of psychology of UI design components—design patterns, microinteractions, style guides and pattern libraries—to create intuitive and user friendly interfaces.
- User-centered design
- Prototyping
- Visual information design
- The principles and psychology of UI design
- Best practices for solving big and small problems
- Microinteractions: crucial, small moments
- Sketching, wireframing, and facilitating dialog
- Crafting UI: scale, color, emphasis, organization, motion
- Design systems: patterns and guidelines
- Refining UI for the greatest emotional impact
- Positioning yourself for a design career
- Core principles of UI
- How UI and UX both contribute to solving human problems
- The differences between B2B/enterprise applications and B2C applications
- Why sketching the content and function of UI is a critical step in the design process
- How to create meaning using the Gestalt Principles
- How to create a basic style guide and pattern library
- How to communicate the details of your design to the developers who will be building it
- Positioning yourself to enter the UX/UI design field
- How to create an effective portfolio of UI design work
How You Learn
We are online! All of the design classes are conducted online including: video classes, mentor-led learning and peer-to-peer support through our student online platform, Canvas.
- Lectures
- Reading assignments
- Quizzes (at instructor’s discretion)
- Small-group activities
- Homework assignments
- Capstone project
Is This Course Right for Me?
This course is ideal for students, product planners, developers, marketers, usability professionals, design practitioners and managers who are committed to creating a great customer experience. It’s also applicable to anybody interested in learning about UI design or entering the UX/UI field.