UX / UI Design
UC Berkeley Bootcamp
Expanding Skills
I have noticed that many Industrial Design jobs are seeking designers with Digital UX / UI design skills. Unfortunately, when I went to school for Industrial Design and Architecture that was not something that was incorporated into the curriculum. As industrial designers we are taught to always consider the user and how they will interact with any item that we design, but this was focused mainly on tangible objects. While these same concepts apply to digital design, training specific to digital is desirable. I decided to go back to school and add UX /UI design to my skillset.
UC Berkeley Bootcamp
I have been accepted into UC Berkeley's UX / UI Bootcamp, starting January 31 2022. I chose this program over others like Cornell, Columbia, and Northwestern because it is an exceptional school and the program is very comprehensive and focuses on both UX and UI design. Many programs focus on just one or the other. The program is an intense 24 weeks from January to June, however the classes are in the evening and on weekends so they will not interfere with normal work hours. I look forward to adding my UX / UI designs to my portfolio in June.
WHAT IS
UX DESIGN?
User Experience Design (UX or UED) is a design process whose sole objective is to design a system that offers a great experience to its users. Both digital designers and tangible product designers are trained to take user experience into consideration during the design process.
WHAT IS
UI DESIGN?
User interface (UI) design is the process designers use to build interfaces in software or computerized devices, focusing on looks or style. UI design is more digital platform specific, however a form of UI is taught in Industrial design school.
WHAT IS A
PRODUCT
DESIGnER?
A UX designer is primarily focused on the usability of digital products, whereas a product designer works more on the overall feeling and experience of the tangible product as a whole. Product designers are more often than not UX designers, but they work primarily on the feel and usability of a product. Industrial designers are trained product designers.
This is why I am choosing to add specific UX & UI design experience to my tool belt. Because the world is moving to a more digital format, product design jobs are requiring a design knowledge of both digital and tangible products.
WHAT IS AN
INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER?
Industrial designers typically focus on the physical appearance, functionality and manufacturability of a tangible product (product designers), though they are often involved in far more during a development cycle. All of this ultimately extends to the overall lasting value and experience a product or service provides for end-users. Every object that you interact with on a daily basis in your home, office, school or public setting is the result of a design process. During this process, myriad decisions are made by an industrial designer that are aimed at improving your life through well-executed design.