UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN

User Experience
Design short course

Information Pack
 USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
SHORT COURSE

Need for the course Course Overview

Three decades into the digital age, User Experience Design is fast becoming one of the This highly practical 10-week
most important ways of distinguishing one digital property from another. Because users course provides students
have access to an ever-increasing number of alternatives when selecting the platforms and with the knowledge and skills
services they use to fulfill their needs, businesses today either thrive or fail as a direct result necessary to complete a UX
of their success in the online space. And yet so many of our online experiences are troubled design process and develop a
by poor design and frustrating obstacles. UX designers occupy a specific and important UX study that can be presented
niche in the digital space, forming the nexus between website designers, businesses and to stakeholders in a digital
the users. By collaborating with a UX designer and curating the experience that users have design project.
with a specific digital property, the stakeholder business gains customer loyalty and fosters
positive sentiment as users engage with the brand more meaningfully. Pulling all of this COURSE DURATION:
together effectively allows for an online experience that is both user-friendly and engaging, 10 weeks online, available
while promoting the best interests of the business through increased user satisfaction. throughout South Africa. A
typical week will entail a
Career Opportunities commitment of approximately
Industry experts and UX consultants all agree that UXD is fast becoming an integral part of 10 - 12 hours.
any businesss online presence. The market is only just starting to wake up to the benefits
of comprehensive UX design and, already, the impact has proven to be dramatic. COURSE APPROVAL:
An intuitive, user-centric approach to online interaction yields measurable results and This course is approved
greater competitive advantage for the businesses that implement it. UX designers are by UCT. You will receive
therefore becoming one of the most important assets in garnering the attention and a certificate issued by the
devotion of targeted users. As a result, UXD skills are in high demand. As the experience university once you have
of the user becomes the key focus of any online platform, those already working in digital successfully completed
(web designers, developers, content curators, marketers, etc.), will find that UXD enhances the course.
their work and opens up a whole new skillset. But UX is also a distinct practice and project
teams working in digital are increasingly looping in a UX practitioner to effectively meet COURSE STARTS:
stakeholder objectives and user needs. 06 February 2017

WEEKLY Course modules CONTACT

The following modules are covered during the course: 021 447 7565
021 447 8344
Orientation module: Welcome to your Online Campus enrolments@getsmarter.com
Module 1: Introduction to UXD
Module 2: Building a Product Use Context REGISTER NOW
Module 3: Outcomes and stakeholder management
Module 4: Research and evidence gathering
Module 5: Evaluation, alignment and reporting
Module 6: The aesthetics of user experience
Module 7: Wireframing
Module 8: Prototyping
Module 9: Presentation and delivery of a UX study
Module 10: Brave New World: UX in practice

Tel: +27 21 447 7565 | Fax: +27 21 447 8344

Website: www.getsmarter.com | Email: info@getsmarter.com

Page 2 of 6
 USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
SHORT COURSE
Module 1
INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
In order to become a UX practitioner, it is crucial to understand
the practical philosophy and mindset that informs the field.
This introduction provides brief historical context around the
development of UXD for physical objects, and how the practice
has evolved over the years to become an integral part of digital
design too. The module also focuses on the niched space
UXD occupies within the larger field of experience design,
and defines how UXD forms the nexus between information
architecture and web design.
Module 2
BUILDING A PRODUCT USE CONTEXT
Module 2 focuses on the creation of a Product Use Context
and the accompanying usage hypothesis. Since users are free
to interact with an interface in whichever way they choose,
it is the UX practitioners responsibility to determine how a
product is being used in relation to its intended usage.
Here, youll also be introduced to the ongoing project youll
be working on for the rest of the course: the Product Use
Context of an email web client.
Module 3
OUTCOMES AND STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT
The first step in any UX project is to receive a brief from
the client, or stakeholder. This is where the UX practitioner
determines the central stakeholder objectives, and the outcomes
their UX process will be working towards. Stakeholder objectives
are often unfeasible or impractical: the UX designer must know
how to craft more realistic objectives and communicate these
to the stakeholder effectively. The third module of this course
will include an introduction to the stakeholders involved in your
ongoing project and require you to determine and communicate
which of their objectives will take priority.
Tel: +27 21 447 7565 | Fax: +27 21 447 8344
Website: www.getsmarter.com | Email: info@getsmarter.com
Page 3 of 6
Module 4
RESEARCH AND EVIDENCE GATHERING
Once realistic, measurable objectives have been set, the UX
practitioner has to go to work investigating the digital property
in question in order to determine where users become frustrated
or drop off. Youll learn how to create unbiased surveys, select
appropriate users to perform a user test, and perform multi-
variant testing. This process will allow you to study how users
work and where the user path leads them astray, offering valuable
insight into how the user experience needs to be improved.
Module 5
EVALUATION, ALIGNMENT AND REPORTING
In this module, youll work towards the creation of a hypothesis
evaluation matrix. This matrix is a useful tool for identifying
where assumptions about users differ from the user evidence
gathered in the research and evidence gathering process.
These discrepancies must be reported to the stakeholders,
since they may affect initial objectives or the ways in which these
are achieved. Youll also create a UX research report and present
it to the stakeholders involved in your ongoing project.
Module 6
THE AESTHETICS OF USER EXPERIENCE
Since a good user experience requires both intuitive usability
and striking visuals, it is important that the user path and
the visual design bring out the best in each other. Module 6
explores the interplay between the work of the UX practitioner
and their visual or aesthetic designer. Youll discover how to
manage your relationship with the visual designer to ensure
a complementary professional collaboration, so that their
aesthetics do not compromise your usability.
 USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
SHORT COURSE

Module 7
WIREFRAMING
Wireframes facilitate user-centric design processes by allowing UX
practitioners to create clear visual layouts of the user path. As an
essential tool for the UX practitioner, this module will equip you
with a practical overview of various wireframing methods and how
theyre used to create information architecture and interaction
design. Youll create wireframes for the implementation of a
more intuitive user experience while addressing key stakeholder
objectives.
Module 9
PRESENTATION AND DELIVERY OF A UX STUDY
This module focuses on the deliverables that the UX practitioner
will need to present to the stakeholders. After the UX design
process has been completed, the stakeholders are informed of
suggested changes to improve their digital user experience.
To this end, youll discover how to compile a written and a visual
UX study, and create an accompanying presentation to explain
the rationale behind your decisions.

This module requires that you have access to industry-renowned

wireframing software, Balsamiq Mockups. This user-friendly, highly
collaborative programme is available for purchase online. Wireframing
software such as Balsamiq forms a crucial part of every UX Designers
toolkit, and youll be using it over the course of your career, on every
project you work on, long after the completion of your course.
Module 8
PROTOTYPING
n module 8, youll discover the tools required to create prototypes
and learn which prototypes best complement different projects.
Here youll use both traditional paper prototyping techniques as
well as online tools to create a prototype of your own wireframe as
a means of testing efficiency and usability.
Module 10
A BRAVE NEW WORLD: UX IN PRACTICE
The final module will prepare you for your career as a UX designer.
The focus is on both the UX field as it operates today, and also
the anti-patterns and trends likely to influence the way in which
UX is practiced in future. Specific attention will be paid to design
principles for graphic designers, web designers and product
owners. Finally, you will create a UX roadmap to help you map
out the first steps on your path to becoming a competitive UX
practitioner in our increasingly digital world.

Tel: +27 21 447 7565 | Fax: +27 21 447 8344

Website: www.getsmarter.com | Email: info@getsmarter.com

Page 4 of 6
 USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
SHORT COURSE

Who should attend How to register

This short course is ideal for those involved in any facet of digital design, whether from Click here to register for the
the front or back end. Industry professionals looking to increase the efficiency of a websites UCT User Experience
practical or visual design, for example, will benefit from an in-depth understanding of how Design short course.
users think and act on online platforms. Formal UX design skills and expertise are highly
transferable: from digital marketers and web developers, to small business owners with an Entry Requirements
interest in online entrepreneurship, and aesthetic designers interested in understanding The only entry requirement
how users think, behave, and engage. Since the tools utilised in UX design do not require for this course is a desire to
advanced back-end coding ability or specialised expertise, the UXD skill set can be learn and advance your career;
mastered even by novices interested in entering the field. no prior knowledge of User
Experience Design is needed.
Course delivery In order to do this course, you
The course is delivered through the unique GetSmarter Learning website. To help you will need to
maintain a work-life balance during the course, the content is divided into manageable
weekly modules. Each Wednesday you will receive one module to complete in your own time Have a current email account
and at your own pace throughout the week. Modules are divided into distinct work units Have access to a computer
based on core learning outcomes covering concise, meaningful units of the content, followed and the internet
by short activities to apply the concepts. Typical components include course notes; video Have access to sufficient
lectures; online multiple-choice practice quizzes; interactive video activities, and written or internet data
practical activities for submission. Group work is a fundamental component of this course Have access to a scanner
and you will be required to collaborate with other learners around key discussions and or high quality camera/
submissions. You will receive academic support from your Head Tutor, Andrew La Grange, smartphone
and administrative support from designated Course Coach. Have access to the Balsamiq
wireframing software
Assessment and award of the certificate Be able to download course-
The course is focused on teaching you practical, formal skills that you can apply in your related software
career and personal life. You are not required to write any exams. Assessment is based on a Be able to open and read PDF
series of practical weekly assignments completed online. You will need to achieve a combined documents
final mark of at least 50% to receive the certificate as issued by the University of Cape Town. Be able to create documents
in Microsoft Word
Course APPROVAL Be able to create
This course is approved by the University of Cape Town. You will receive a certificate presentations in PowerPoint
issued by the university once you have successfully completed the course. The course is Read, write and speak in the
developed and presented by the University of Cape Town in partnership with GetSmarter. English language

About GetSmarter Any course requirements that

GetSmarter aims to improve lives through better education by helping working professionals are for assessment purposes
advance their careers. We collaborate with the worlds leading universities to deliver a must be completed in English.
portfolio of online short courses and programmes.

REGISTER NOW

Tel: +27 21 447 7565 | Fax: +27 21 447 8344

Website: www.getsmarter.com | Email: info@getsmarter.com

Page 5 of 6
 USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN
SHORT COURSE

Payment details During the course presentation

february PRESENTATION you will be required to submit

a digital copy of formal
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
identification, which reflects
the name you provided upon
1. ONCE-OFF PAYMENT
registration.
R12,900 by 31 January 2017

2. PAYMENT PLAN
Contact us:
Should you have any queries,
R14,061, paid as follows:
please contact GetSmarter:
First instalment: R4,781 by 31 January 2017
Second instalment: R4,640 by 24 February 2017
CONTACT:
Third instalment: R4,640 by 31 March 2017
021 447 7565
021 447 8344

APRIL PRESENTATION enrolments@getsmarter.com

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
REGISTER NOW

1. ONCE-OFF PAYMENT
R12,900 by 31 January 2017

2. PAYMENT PLAN
R14,061, paid as follows:
First instalment: R4,781 by 04 April 2017
Second instalment: R4,640 by 05 May 2017
Third instalment: R4,640 by 02 June 2017

Payment methods
1. ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT)
Please make use of your name and surname as a reference.

2. C
 REDIT CARD (MASTERCARD AND VISA)
Learners will be contacted by telephone to obtain details.

Banking details
ACCOUNT NAME: GetSmarter
BANK: Standard Bank
BRANCH: Claremont
BRANCH CODE: 025109
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 07 251 0684
SWIFT CODE: SBZAZAJJ

Tel: +27 21 447 7565 | Fax: +27 21 447 8344

Website: www.getsmarter.com | Email: info@getsmarter.com

Page 6 of 6