IBM UI/UX Designer Professional Certificate Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This comprehensive IBM UI/UX Designer Professional Certificate on Coursera guides beginners through a step-by-step journey into the world of user interface and user experience design. The course spans approximately 13 weeks at a suggested pace of 3–5 hours per week, blending foundational theory, hands-on design practice, and portfolio development. Learners will engage with real-world design challenges, master industry-standard tools like Figma and Adobe XD, and apply user-centered design principles to create impactful digital experiences. From conducting user research to building high-fidelity prototypes and crafting a professional portfolio, each module builds practical, job-ready skills for aspiring designers.
Module 1: Introduction to UI/UX Design
Estimated time: 3 hours
- What is UI/UX design
- Core principles of user interface and user experience
- Differentiating between UI and UX roles
- Exploring career paths in design
Module 2: User Research and Design
Estimated time: 6 hours
- Understanding empathy maps and user empathy
- Creating user personas
- User research methods: surveys and interviews
- Analyzing qualitative feedback
Module 3: Start the UX Design Process: Empathize, Define, and Ideate
Estimated time: 6 hours
- Applying design thinking methodology
- Writing problem statements
- Generating user stories
- Mapping user journeys
Module 4: Wireframe and Low-Fidelity Prototyping
Estimated time: 6 hours
- Sketching initial design concepts
- Creating user flows
- Building wireframes in Figma or Adobe XD
- Iterating based on usability considerations
Module 5: High-Fidelity Designs and Prototypes
Estimated time: 6 hours
- Visual design principles: color, typography, spacing
- Designing with components and styles
- Creating interactive, clickable prototypes
- Applying consistency across screens
Module 6: Design a User Experience for Social Good
Estimated time: 6 hours
- Designing for social impact
- Incorporating accessibility standards
- Final capstone project: inclusive design solution
Module 7: UI/UX Design Portfolio
Estimated time: 6 hours
- Curating design projects for presentation
- Telling a compelling design story
- Personal branding for designers
- Building a digital portfolio with real projects
Prerequisites
- No prior design experience required
- Basic computer literacy
- Access to Figma and Adobe XD (free versions available)
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Design user-centered websites and apps using industry-standard tools
- Conduct user research, define personas, and map user journeys
- Apply design thinking principles to solve real-world problems
- Create wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups using Figma and Adobe XD
- Build a professional portfolio to showcase design process and projects