Whether you’re a graphic designer or web developer looking to upskill, or a complete beginner considering a full-blown career change into UI design—learning UI design skills will allow you to make a real impact on people’s lives with beautiful, impactful interfaces.
While it is possible to teach yourself basics, there is a multitude of online UI design courses that will equip you with the practical skills and design approach to get you hired.
We’ve rounded up 8 of the best online UI design courses to take in 2023.
From introductory courses for those looking to test the waters, to full career change programs for those looking to invest, use the clickable menu below to navigate easily:
The best UI design courses
If you’re new to the field, you might want to try this free, hands-on UI design short course, in which you’ll cover the basics of UI and create your very first app screen from scratch.
If you then decide that it’s the field for you, you can formalize your learning with one of the paid courses featured here. Let’s get started!
1. CareerFoundry UI Design Course
The renowned CareerFoundry UI Design Program is one of the few UI-specific career-change programs currently on the scene. The program has been created to take you from a total novice to a talented professional, focusing on both UI design theory and practical application.
Towards the end of the program, you’ll create an app from scratch—a project that will form the base of your professional portfolio. The cherry on top? You’ll be supported throughout your journey by your very own mentor, tutor, and career specialist to help you land a job within six months of graduating (or your money back).
2. Udemy
Looking to master the fundamentals with a UI design course that doesn’t break the bank? We recommend the popular learning platform Udemy—and this Principles and Practices for Great UI Design course taught by expert Joe Natoli is a great place to start.
This 5-hour course made up of 50 lessons is jam-packed with timeless principles for good UI design that you can apply to anything you ever work on. You’ll learn how to create and apply hierarchy, color, contrast, typography, and gestalt principles to design appropriate visual cues for your users.
3. Thinkful
Tech bootcamp Thinkful’s “designer track” program, which combines both UI and UX design to give students a versatile and competitive skillset, is a great option for beginners who want full immersion into the world of design. Flexibly self-paced and boasting a holistic approach to design, students get 360 support as they build their portfolio with 3-6 real-world projects throughout the program.
Thinkful also offers various scholarships promoting diversity in tech, to lighten the financial load.
4. Learn.UIdesign
Online video course Learn.UI design takes a straightforward approach to teaching the fundamental tools, methods, and processes of UI design to tech hopefuls.
Once enrolled, you’ll be able to view 41 video-based lessons that you can watch at their own pace. You’ll also have access to dozens of downloadable assignments, printable cheat sheets, and an online slack community to support you as you progress throughout the course.
5. Springboard
Like Bloc, Springboard offers a UX/UI design career track, which combines both disciplines into one course. With a curriculum split into 35 units, you’ll work on substantial design projects and complete a real-world externship with an industry client.
After nine months, you’ll graduate with a professional UI/UX design portfolio that will help you to stand out in the job market.
As the program is billed monthly, students who finish early have the added bonus of paying less for their tuition.
6. Experience Haus
London-based company Experience Haus offers a more innovative, immersive approach to learning UX and UI design remotely. In their 8-week user experience and interface design course, you’ll get live workshops, real client briefs and check-ins, interactive interview sessions with users, and a course completion certificate at the end.
With a maximum of 15 people per course, it’s a great UI design course option for anyone who favors a more collaborative way of learning.
7. Skillshare
It’s natural to want to test the waters of UI design before making any sizeable investment of time and money. Skillshare to the rescue! With bite-sized lessons you can fit in anywhere, Skillshare offers free sign-up and access to classes on both the web and mobile.
There’s a range of single UI design classes available on the site, but if it’s a full course you’re after, this UI design Sketch course is a great option. Over 7 hours, this course will see you master the full functionality of the popular UI design tool Sketch, and teach you how to make use of its potential. Comprising a mix of video lessons and practical exercises, you’ll create a working, interactive prototype.
8. Designlab
Tailored for mid-level designers, the Designlab four-week UI Design Course pairs you with an experienced mentor to learn contemporary design patterns and apply them to your own projects. With a curated curriculum, flexible assignments, and weekly mentorship calls, you’ll delve into UI fundamentals, modern trends, and key concepts like color theory, typography, and responsive design.
So there we have it; the best 8 UI design courses to take in 2023.
To find out more about whether UI design is right for you, speak directly with a program advisor.
And if you found this article interesting, check out these articles on the blog:
- A guide to the best UI design bootcamps and how to choose one
- Are UI designers in demand? Here’s the current industry outlook
- Is it possible to work as a remote UI designer?
FAQ about UI design courses
1. How do I learn UI design?
To learn UI design, you can start by researching and familiarizing yourself with the fundamentals of UI design, including its principles and industry trends. Online tutorials and courses provide structured learning paths and practical exercises to enhance your skills. Additionally, practicing with design tools and working on design projects will help you gain hands-on experience and refine your abilities.
2. What is a UI design course?
A UI design course is a specialized program that offers instruction on the principles and techniques of user interface design. These courses typically cover topics such as design theory, usability, prototyping, and interaction design. They are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to create visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces.
3. Which is the best UI design course?
The best UI design course can vary depending on individual preferences and learning styles. However, some highly recommended UI design courses include CareerFoundry’s UI Design Course, Thinkful’s “designer track” program, and Udemy’s Principles and Practices for Great UI Design course.
It’s advisable to consider factors such as course structure, student reviews, affordability, and personal goals when selecting the best UI design course for your needs.