Beyond core UXID coursework, electives offer students the chance to explore specialized topics that deepen their understanding of user research, product validation, and interactive app design. These courses provide hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools and methodologies, preparing students for the dynamic field of UX design. Here’s a look at some of the key electives offered in the UXID program and what students can expect to learn.
The UXID elective courses provide students with the opportunity to explore specialized areas of UX design, from research and product validation to mobile and web application development. These courses help students build a competitive portfolio, gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, and prepare for careers in UX/UI design, product strategy, and app development.
User Research Methodologies
Understanding users is the foundation of UX design. This course teaches students how to construct, implement, and analyze user interviews to gain deep insights into their target audience. Students explore qualitative and quantitative research methods, persona development, and usability testing strategies. Example work includes User Interview Reports – Conducting and synthesizing interviews to identify pain points and user needs, Affinity Diagrams – Organizing research findings to discover common themes, and Persona Development – Creating data-driven user personas for better design decisions.
Validating Product Ideas
This course focuses on how to design, implement, and measure multichannel experiences to ensure they deliver value for users and businesses. Students learn techniques for conducting competitive analyses, A/B testing, and customer journey mapping to validate product-market fit before development.
Interactive App Design
This course builds upon Mobile Interactive Design I, guiding students on how to convert web-based applications into cross-platform native mobile applications. Special emphasis is placed on optimizing user experiences for different screen sizes and incorporating mobile-specific functionalities.
Interactive App Design focuses on building and testing dynamic web application prototypes using event-driven JavaScript languages. Students learn how to create seamless user interactions, animations, and responsive interfaces with modern frameworks like React or Svelte.