User Experience Design
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Program Overview
At the heart of every innovative solution and product is user experience (UX) design. Learn to generate innovative solutions and products that meet the needs of diverse audiences using human-centred design practises and design research frameworks. You will become immersed in all aspects of the user experience, creating new solutions that are usable, enjoyable, and accessible.
Program Details
Program Code
UED1
Credential:
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Duration
30 Weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2024 September
London - Downtown
Open
2023 September
London - Downtown
Closed
Start Dates
Locations
Availability
Full Time Offerings
2023 September
London - Downtown
Closed
2024 September
London - Downtown
Closed
Your Learning Experience
Fanshawe’s User Experience Design program focuses on the four components of user experience: research, ideation, design and communication. You will learn to craft digital interfaces and experiences that meet the needs of audiences using human-centered design. Drawing from a multi-disciplinary background, you will gain an in-depth understanding of design thinking frameworks and research methodologies, and UX design and UX research deliverables. You will also get practical experience in project and stakeholder management, testing, prototyping and communication.
As you develop effective UX design skills, you will be prepared to work with clients from a range of industries, helping to meet the strategic objectives of businesses and organizations. Experiential learning opportunities will allow you to apply your learning in real-world settings, and ensure your skills meet the current demands of the ever-growing UX job market. During the second semester, you will have the opportunity to participate in internal or external client-based projects, becoming a UX team member of a product development development team.
Career Information
Graduates of Fanshawe’s User Experience Design program are qualified for a wide-variety of roles within the digital media industry as:
- Interaction Designer
- User Experience Researcher
- User Experience Designer
- Information Architect
- Product Designer
- Communication Designer
- Information Designer
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario? Check out our graduate employment rates and other key performance indicators.
Learning Outcomes
1. Use team leadership, facilitation, and presentation skills in the effective completion of user experience design projects.
2. Represent a linked sequence of observed evidence, collected data, qualitative research findings, interpretations and proposed design solutions to stakeholders to solicit support and commitment
3. Assess requirements of a user experience design project, in order to increase corporate acceptance, usability and effectiveness
4. Present persuasive arguments in support of user experience projects which balance user needs with business objectives
5. Collect and interpret stakeholder input to inform the design of projects that meet complex project and business goals.
6. Manage projects using current and proven methodologies to coordinate the work of a multidisciplinary user experience design team
7. Adapt recommendations and courses of action in accordance with explicit and implicit cultural, professional and ethical constructs involved in solving user experience design problems
8. Resolve uncertainties and create shared purpose with stakeholders using iterative prototyping
9. Evaluate, adjust and communicate design decisions in alignment with financial, technical, accessibility and usability factors.
10. Use accessibility standards and inclusive best practices to ensure that all products and/or services meet the needs of all users.
11. Use principles of information architecture to make complex information accessible to users and ensure it meets the needs of all project stakeholders
Academic School
Program Coordinator:
Justin Brunner
Pathways
Admission Requirements
Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Degree or equivalent in Arts, Media, Design or Computer Programming or an equivalent qualification from another institution as judged by the College
-OR-
Work experience and relevant education judged by the College to be equivalent to the above
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 88 |
| IELTS Academic | Overall score of 6.5 with no score less than 6.0 in any of the four bands |
| CAEL | Overall score of 70 with no score less than 60 in any of the four bands |
| PTE Academic | 59 |
| Cambridge English | Overall score of 176 with no language skill less than 169 |
| ESL4/GAP5 | Minimum grade of 80% in Level 9, 75% in Level 10 |
| Duolingo | Overall score of 120, with no score lower than 105 |
Applicant Selection Criteria
Applicant Selection Criteria
Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available
spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will
be:
1. Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
2. Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date,
Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come,
first-served basis until the program is full)
3. Achievement in the Admission Requirements
Courses
| Level 1 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| MGMT-6187 | Collaboration, Mgmt & Facilitation 1 | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce students to UX organizations (enterprise vs. startup vs. agency), teams (UX, UI, IxD, IA, SD, CX) and roles (research, strategy, design, development/engineering, management) within the UX industry. Students will also be introduced to design thinking frameworks and methodologies, covering topics such as lean UX, HCD, design sprints, double diamond, etc. Students will also be introduced project and stakeholder management, covering topics such as building and maintaining shared understanding, defining goals, success criteria and project/product risks, ideas, feedback, decisions and approvals, meeting management basics including agendas and time management. | ||||
| DESG-6005 | Design and the Human Mind | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce students to the human mind and its capabilities and limitations, using principles gathererd from scientific studies from the disciplines of sociology, psychology, perceptual psychology and neuroscience. This course will teach the student how to create user friendly products with the end user in mind. | ||||
| RSCH-6022 | Qualitative Research and Empathy | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce students to various research techniques that professionals use to gain customer insight. These include the following areas: avoiding bias in research, recruiting the right people, effective interview and test moderation techniques, guerrilla research methods, moderated usability testing, user interviews and field observation. Topics also involve planning and conducting formal research studies, contextual research, focus groups and participatory design. Using this knowledge, students will take these findings and iterate on them with an actual product. | ||||
| COMM-6045 | Communicating Ideas | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce students to a range of best practices that will help guide teams through the design process in the creation of a user-friendly and usable product. The course will cover methodologies such as personas and archetypes, experience/journey maps and diagrams, information architecture, wireframes and user flows. | ||||
| INFO-6135 | UX Deliverables | 4 | ||
| This course will introduce students to the importance of UX deliverables and their place in the UX pipeline. Students will be quided through the various deliverables that are needed to showcase their process and get buy-in for their ideas with internal and expternal stakeholders. Topics covered in this course will include user research, competitive assessment, prototyping, design systems and style guides. | ||||
| RSCH-6021 | UX Testing 1 | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce students to end user testing. This critical component of product design and developmentcaptures the human insights needed to deliver products that customers desire, and which assist users in achieving their goals in the most efficient and effective manner. This course will cover topics such as planning usability studies, test methodologies, testing strategies and techniques, user diversity, design personas and scenarios, informal and formal test plans, and usability testing. | ||||
Tuition Summary
London - Downtown
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.