Category: UXID

Starting the UXID program at Drexel University is an exciting step toward a career in design and technology. The first quarter introduces key UX concepts, essential tools, and hands-on projects that build a strong foundation for the years ahead. Here’s what to expect in your first term.

Freshman year begins with a mix of UXID courses and general education classes. The first quarter is just the beginning. Upcoming courses will dive deeper into interaction design, usability testing, and advanced prototyping, helping you refine your skills for real-world UX challenges.

Core Classes

Freshman year begins with a mix of UXID courses and general education classes. Some key courses include User Interface Design (IDM211, IDM212) where you learn how to design aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, covering important design principles and the human capabilities that motivate them. Interaction Design (IDM213) explores principles, patterns and process for interaction design, define the structure and behavior of interactive systems and how these can be used to create meaningful relationships between people and the products and services that they use. Design Thinking in Product Design (PROD215) covers design research methods, and topical design issues to explore and experience design thinking.

Skills You’ll Learn

The first quarter focuses on essential UX design skills, including User Research – Conduct interviews, surveys, and usability tests, Prototyping & Wireframing – Use Figma to create low-fidelity wireframes, and Design Iteration – Refine work based on feedback and testing.

Projects & Challenges

Expect hands-on projects from day one. A common first-quarter assignment is redesigning an app’s onboarding experience—identifying pain points, creating new user flows, and testing solutions. The biggest challenge? Learning to embrace feedback and refine designs through multiple iterations.

Tips for Success: Get comfortable with Figma early. It’s a core tool in UX design. Seek feedback often. Iteration is key to improving designs. Manage your time wisely. Balancing projects and coursework can be tricky. Engage with the UXID community. Networking and student groups can offer valuable insights.

Senior year in Drexel’s UXID program is the culmination of everything learned
over the past three years. It’s a time to refine expertise, prepare for the
job market, and, most importantly, complete and present the
Senior Project at the
Drexel Digital Media Showcase. This final year challenges
students to apply their skills in a high-stakes, real-world setting, ensuring
they graduate ready for careers in UX design.

Core Classes

Senior-year coursework focuses on specialization and professional
preparation, with classes that guide students through their senior projects
and advanced UX concepts:

• Digital Media Senior Project (DIGM490): The three-term
  senior project where students research, design, and develop a UX solution
  to present at the Drexel Digital Media Showcase. Create professional media
  assets for a team-based senior project in a simulated real-world
  production environment. This course integrates academic and practical
  knowledge, emphasizing digital media production, best practices, and
  effective presentation skills through collaboration and teamwork.
• Professional Practices in IDM (IDM401): This course will
  provide a broad overview of the practices of all areas included in the
  fields related to interactive digital media, including organizational
  structure and roles, client communication and creative process, needs
  assessment, brief writing, brainstorming, concept development, pitches,
  pricing, proposals and presentations.
• Electives: Many students explore course electives to
  focus on building their skills in the area of UXID that they want to
  pursue after graduation. Some of these courses include Validating Product
  Ideas, SwiftUI, and Javascript Frameworks (Svelte, ReactJS). Students also
  take this time to explore electives that interest them. Pave your own
  path!

Skills You’ll Master

By senior year, UXID students fine-tune their skills, focusing on
industry-level expertise:

Project Management & UX Strategy

Work through a full design cycle, from research to high-fidelity
prototypes.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Communication

Present work to clients, faculty, and potential employers.

Usability Testing & Iteration

Conduct multiple rounds of user testing to refine the final senior
project.

Showcasing & Pitching Work

Prepare for the
Drexel Digital Media Showcase, a key event where senior
projects are presented to industry professionals.

Preparing for the Drexel Digital Media Showcase

The Digital Media Showcase is the highlight of senior year,
giving students the opportunity to present their senior projects to faculty,
industry professionals, and peers. Preparation includes:

• Refining the Final Product: Ensuring designs are
  polished, user-tested, and ready for real-world application.
• Crafting a Strong Presentation: Communicating the
  problem, research process, and final design solution clearly and
  effectively.
• Building a Portfolio-Ready Case Study: Documenting the
  senior project for job applications and interviews.
• Networking & Job Hunting: The showcase often attracts
  recruiters, making it an excellent opportunity to make professional
  connections.

Tips for Success in Senior Year

• Stay organized. Senior projects require months of
  research, iteration, and refinement—plan accordingly.
• Seek feedback early and often. Use professors, peers, and
  industry mentors to improve your work.
• Practice presenting. Strong presentation skills make a
  huge impact during the showcase and job interviews.
• Apply for jobs early. Start networking and applying to UX
  roles before graduation to stay ahead.

Looking Ahead

With the senior project completed and graduation approaching, seniors enter
the UX job market with a solid portfolio, professional experience, and
industry connections. Whether heading into UX design, research, or strategy,
the skills developed in the UXID program prepare students for the next step
in their careers.

Junior year in Drexel’s User Experience & Interaction Design (UXID) program is a game-changer. This is the year where classroom learning meets real-world application, with many students entering their first co-op experience. It’s a time to refine skills, work on professional projects, and start thinking about the future of a career in UX.

Core Classes

While some students spend part of the year in their co-op placement, coursework continues to build on previous knowledge with a focus on advanced UX methodologies and industry applications. Key classes include:

• IDM Workshop (IDM371, IDM372): Work in team environments to analyze project requirements, develop a strategy for development, and utilize your design skills to present findings to the client. Build a high-fidelity interactive digital media prototype with a focus on usability testing.
• Future Digital Media (DIGM475): This course examines current and emerging issues in digital media through readings and discussions on news, product announcements, articles, and industry predictions. It provides a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of digital media, including its future directions and long-term possibilities.
• IDM Electives: Many students explore course electives to focus on building their skills in the area of UXID that they want to pursue after graduation. Some of these courses include Validating Product Ideas, SwiftUI, and Javascript Frameworks (Svelte, ReactJS).

Skills You’ll Learn

Junior year pushes students to take their UX skills to the next level, including:

✅ Professional UX Workflow – Collaborate with developers, product managers, and stakeholders in a real-world setting.

✅ Design Systems & UI Libraries – Create scalable design components for large-scale projects.

✅ Advanced UX Research & Testing – Conduct user research in professional environments and apply data-driven insights.

✅ Time & Project Management – Balance coursework, co-op responsibilities, and portfolio-building.

Projects & Real-World Challenges

The biggest shift in junior year is the transition from theoretical projects to real-world problem-solving. Co-op students get hands-on experience working with clients, building products, and learning how UX functions in a business setting. For those still in coursework, projects become more advanced, often requiring collaboration with companies or interdisciplinary teams.

Tips for Success

🎯 Make the most of your co-op. Learn as much as possible, ask questions, and take on challenging projects.

🎯 Refine your portfolio. Showcase co-op work (if allowed) and update case studies with real-world applications.

🎯 Build industry connections. Network with professionals and start looking ahead to senior-year internships or full-time job opportunities.

🎯 Stay adaptable. UX work environments vary widely, so learn to adjust to different workflows and company cultures.

Looking Ahead

With junior year coming to a close, senior year is all about specializing in UX fields of interest, completing capstone projects, and preparing for post-grad career opportunities. The experiences gained in co-op and advanced coursework will shape the path toward becoming a full-fledged UX professional.

Pre-junior year in Drexel’s UXID program is a pivotal time as students transition from coursework to real-world applications. With foundational skills in design, research, and front-end development already established, this year focuses on refining expertise, building a professional portfolio, and preparing for co-op experiences.

Core Classes

As UXID students move into more specialized areas, coursework becomes more project-driven, collaborative, and industry-focused. Key classes include:

• User Experience Design (IDM215, IDM216): In this two-term course, students will design exceptional digital experiences through user-centered practices. Covering brand personality, research, content strategy, information architecture, and usability, they will develop predictive, enjoyable designs and build fully functioning web apps while executing a full production pipeline. Be on the lookout for infamous “food truck project”!
• Storytelling for User Experience Design (IDM418): Learn how to use stories to understand the user, their goals and objectives, explain research, and describe design concepts.
• Microinteractions (IDM241): Create exceptional digital experiences using user-experience design principles. This course covers brand personality, content strategy, information architecture, and usability to develop predictive, enjoyable interactions.
• Content Management Systems (IDM250): Set up a content management system and develop a custom theme, focusing on project planning, organization, and maintaining a high-quality code base.

Skills You’ll Learn

This year is all about honing skills that make a UX designer stand out in the job market:

✅ High-Fidelity UI Design – Build pixel-perfect designs that align with branding and user needs.

✅ Data-Driven Design Decisions – Use research insights to validate design choices.

✅ Advanced Prototyping & Microinteractions – Bring interfaces to life with motion design and animations.

✅ Presentation & Client Communication – Learn to present ideas effectively to stakeholders and potential employers.

Projects & Challenges

Pre-junior year involves tackling more complex, multi-step design challenges. Many classes incorporate real-world projects where students work on UX solutions for businesses, startups, or nonprofits. Expect to create comprehensive case studies—documenting research, design iterations, and usability testing—which will become essential for building a strong UX portfolio.

Tips for Success

🎯 Build a professional portfolio. Showcase your best projects with detailed case studies.

🎯 Master storytelling in design. Clearly communicate your design decisions and process.

🎯 Engage with the industry. Attend UX networking events, join online communities, and start connecting with professionals.

🎯 Prepare for co-op. Research companies, tailor your resume, and refine interview skills for UX positions.

Looking Ahead

The pre-junior year serves as a bridge between academic learning and hands-on industry experience. With co-op opportunities on the horizon, students will soon apply their skills in professional settings, gaining real-world insights that will shape their careers.

Sophomore year in the User Experience and Interaction Design (UXID) program at Drexel University takes design skills to the next level. After covering the fundamentals in freshman year, students now dive deeper into interaction design, usability testing, and more advanced prototyping techniques. This year is all about refining skills, tackling real-world projects, and preparing for future co-op opportunities.

Core Classes

The courses in sophomore year build on foundational knowledge, introducing more complex design concepts and industry tools. Key classes include:

• Web Design (IDM221, IDM222): Learn how to create and maintain quality web sites, and learn about accessibility and web design standards, and why they are important.
• Human Factors Engineering (IDM214): Discuss ways of applying psychological and physiological principles to the design of interactive systems, products, processes, and systems to address human capabilities and limitations in ways that ensure safety, effectiveness, and ease of use.
• Scripting for Interactive Digital Media (IDM231): Explore modern client-side scripting languages that interact with the user, control the browser, communicate asynchronously, and alter document content and functionality.

Skills You’ll Learn

By the end of sophomore year, UXID students will have developed essential industry skills, including:

✅ Advanced Prototyping – Create high-fidelity designs with tools like Figma and Adobe After Effects.

✅ Usability Testing & Research – Conduct A/B testing, analyze user behavior, and refine user experiences.

✅ Web Development – Use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to bring your designs to life.

✅ Accessibility & Inclusive Design – Ensure products are usable for diverse audiences.

Projects & Challenges

Sophomore year coursework emphasizes real-world applications. Expect projects that involve designing full user interfaces, conducting user research, and building interactive prototypes. A major challenge at this stage is balancing design and functionality—ensuring that an interface is not just visually appealing but also intuitive and accessible.

Tips for Success

🎯 Refine your portfolio. Start documenting projects and case studies for future co-op applications.

🎯 Hone your research skills. Usability testing and user feedback are crucial for great design.

🎯 Experiment with coding. Even a basic understanding of JavaScript can give designers an edge.

🎯 Network and seek mentorship. Connecting with UX professionals can open doors to internships and career opportunities.

Looking Ahead

Sophomore year is a crucial time for skill-building and preparation for Drexel’s co-op program. The next step? Pre-Junior year introduces more specialized courses, industry collaborations, and professional experience through co-op placements.

Starting the UXID program at Drexel University is an exciting step toward a career in design and technology. The first quarter introduces key UX concepts, essential tools, and hands-on projects that build a strong foundation for the years ahead. Here’s what to expect in your first term.

Core Classes

Freshman year begins with a mix of UXID courses and general education classes. Some key courses include:

• User Interface Design (IDM211, IDM212): Learn how to design aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, covering important design principles and the human capabilities that motivate them.
• Interaction Design (IDM213): Explore principles, patterns and process for interaction design, define the structure and behavior of interactive systems and how these can be used to create meaningful relationships between people and the products and services that they use.
• Design Thinking in Product Design (PROD215): See design research methods, and topical design issues to explore and experience design thinking.

Skills You’ll Learn

The first quarter focuses on essential UX design skills, including:

✅ User Research – Conduct interviews, surveys, and usability tests.

✅ Prototyping & Wireframing – Use Figma to create low-fidelity wireframes.

✅ Design Iteration – Refine work based on feedback and testing.

Projects & Challenges

Expect hands-on projects from day one. A common first-quarter assignment is redesigning an app’s onboarding experience—identifying pain points, creating new user flows, and testing solutions. The biggest challenge? Learning to embrace feedback and refine designs through multiple iterations.

Tips for Success

🎯 Get comfortable with Figma early. It’s a core tool in UX design.

🎯 Seek feedback often. Iteration is key to improving designs.

🎯 Manage your time wisely. Balancing projects and coursework can be tricky.

🎯 Engage with the UXID community. Networking and student groups can offer valuable insights.

Looking Ahead

The first quarter is just the beginning. Upcoming courses will dive deeper into interaction design, usability testing, and advanced prototyping, helping you refine your skills for real-world UX challenges.