UI/UX AS A COURSE MODULE
This semester marked a pivotal turn in our design curriculum, as we delved deep into the world of UI/UX for the first time. While our education as design students has always emphasized the paramount importance of user-centricity, usability, and ergonomics, this course gave these concepts a more structured and technology-driven context. Under the guidance of our visiting faculty, Rayna Batavia, we embarked on this journey into digital prototyping.
One of our inaugural experiences was getting acquainted with Figma, a powerful design tool that’s become an industry standard for UI/UX professionals. I found it particularly engaging to experiment with interactive design elements through Fig Jam. The platform, with its myriad of features, introduced us to the intricate layers of creating user interfaces that aren’t just aesthetically pleasing but are also functional and intuitive.
Our coursework quickly transitioned into a hands-on exploration of the digital tools and platforms we use in our day-to-day lives. From a curated list by our Visual Faculty (VF), each of us had the liberty to select our most resonating software or application. Drawn towards Spotify, I collaborated with Atharva and Ananya, forming a dedicated team. Our initial assignment was the comprehensive site-mapping of the Spotify app, charting out its diverse functionalities and offerings.
Our practical approach deepened as we transitioned to tracing specific user journeys within the application. By documenting every step with meticulous screenshots, we were not only observing the process but also identifying potential stumbling blocks for users and subsequent opportunities for refinement.
This critical exploration culminated in a challenge to reimagine a selected screen from Spotify. We initiated our design approach with a low-fidelity wireframe, providing a skeletal structure to our ideas. This conceptual design eventually transformed into a high-fidelity wireframe, reflecting a more polished, detailed vision.
Throughout our journey, our VF punctuated our learning with micro-assignments. These tasks, while seemingly modest, played a pivotal role in enhancing our proficiency with Figma, ensuring we grasped its full potential.
Reflecting on this intensive immersion into UI/UX, I realized that it was more than just mastering a new skill set. It was about understanding the professional landscape, the evolving expectations from a UI/UX designer, and how to navigate the demands and visions of clients effectively. This course also instilled in me an entrepreneurial spirit, prompting me to perceive design from a business and strategy perspective. And most importantly, as a user, it sharpened my ability to discern opportunities for improving digital experiences, making them more intuitive and user-friendly.