CAREERFOUNDRY UX DESIGN COURSE REVIEW

Is a background in design necessary to complete the UX Design course offered by Careerfoundry?

Although I have worked as a pizza chef for several years, I did hold a bachelor’s degree in Digital Media prior to enrolling in the UX Design course with Careerfoundry. This provided me with a solid foundation in design. However, Careerfoundry asserts on their website that a background in design is not required to complete the course, as they cover all the necessary concepts from the beginning. The initial part of the course is a basic introduction to UX design.

In my opinion, what is essential is a general familiarity with using a computer and software, even if they are not related to design. You will need to be prepared to learn all the software required for the course independently. Of course, you can request assistance from your tutor or mentor, but learning software involves a lot of practice on your own. The good news is that once you become comfortable with a portion of the software, the rest becomes easier to learn.

Ultimately, what I believe is more crucial than a background in design for successfully completing the course is having strong motivation and the determination to continue even when you may feel frustrated or uncertain about your knowledge and skills.

Is the cost of this course justified by its value?

As UX design bootcamps become increasingly popular, it can be challenging to determine which one is right for you. I spent several months researching various options before ultimately settling on Careerfoundry. If you want to learn more about the top UX design courses, check out this guide.

Initially, I was torn between in-person and online courses. While a full-time, in-person bootcamp may have provided a more immersive experience and allowed me to adapt to the daily routine and pressure of a UX designer, the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of an online course, especially when factoring in the cost of accommodation for a 12-week in-person program, ultimately swayed my decision. Online courses often offer job warranties, which was a major consideration for me.

After deciding on an online bootcamp, I narrowed my choices to Careerfoundry and DesignLab. While both seemed similar, the reviews and job warranty coverage for a wider range of locations in Europe ultimately convinced me to go with Careerfoundry.

While it is certainly possible to launch a successful UX design career through a free or inexpensive online course, I felt that the support of a mentor and tutor, the assurance of a high-quality, up-to-date curriculum, and the job warranty offered by Careerfoundry were crucial in providing direction and motivation throughout the program. Without these assurances, I likely would have become discouraged or lost confidence in the course, potentially leading me to abandon my studies.

How the learning process works?

Careerfoundry allows for a maximum of 10 months to complete the course, although this timeline is primarily intended for those who are studying part-time while working. Those who are fully dedicated to the program may be able to finish in half this time.

The UX Design program is divided into three phases: the Fundamentals course, which should be completed in the first month; the Immersion course, which should be completed in seven months; and the Specialization course, which should be completed in two months. It is important to stay within the overall 10-month timeframe, although extensions can be granted for valid reasons.

Throughout the course, you will complete at least one project for each phase, resulting in a final portfolio featuring at least three projects. When it comes time to apply for jobs, this portfolio will be crucial. At the time I enrolled, the available specialization options were Web Development, Voice User Interface, and User Interface. I chose the User Interface specialization.

Course structure and tasks

The UX design program is divided into three parts, each with a series of achievements, each containing approximately 10 tasks. The Fundamentals course has one achievement, the Immersion course has six achievements, and the UI Specialization has two achievements. On average, each task is estimated to take 4-5 hours to complete, though some may require more time.

Each task typically begins with a reading, which usually takes 30-50 minutes to complete. In addition to the provided reading material, there are often additional resources available for those who wish to delve deeper into the topic. Following the reading, there is usually a brief quiz, and then the task itself, which may involve conducting user research, creating wireframes, or completing exercises to reinforce UX design concepts.

Students also have access to examples of the top three submissions from other students for each task, which can provide a clearer understanding of the expectations for the task. Many of the tasks completed during the course will be included in the final project, which will be included in the student’s portfolio.

Guidance from mentors and tutors, plus the support of the Slack community

During the Fundamentals and Immersion courses, students receive support from both a tutor and a mentor. During the Specialization course, students typically have just a mentor. Tutors are typically UX/UI designers with at least a few years of experience, while mentors are typically senior UX designers with extensive experience.

The tutor is responsible for approving all tasks and providing assistance with any issues that may arise during assignments. This support is provided through chat only, with a typical response time of a few hours. Mentors, on the other hand, provide support through video chat. Students have unlimited access to these video chats, although I found that I didn’t need more than one call per week. The mentor is responsible for approving the final task of each achievement and guiding students in the UX design industry, offering tips and advice for success.

In my experience, the tutor was very helpful with feedback on tasks and providing assistance when I was stuck. The video chats with mentors were a valuable opportunity to ask questions and seek guidance, although I found that being well-prepared with specific questions was key to getting the most out of these sessions.

If you’re curious about the various types of mentorship options that are available for UX design courses, this article has the information you need.

In addition to the support provided by mentors and tutors, Careerfoundry also offers a Slack community where students can connect with their peers and collaborate on tasks. This was a great resource for me, especially when seeking feedback or working with others on assignments.

Assistance with the job search process

One of the standout features of the Careerfoundry UX design program is the job warranty, which promises to refund the cost of the course if a student is unable to find employment within 6 months of completing the program. This gives students confidence in the quality of the course and serves as a motivator to see it through to the end. It’s worth noting, however, that there are prerequisites that must be met in order to entitle for the job warranty. You can find out in this article how the job guarantee works.

It’s important to clarify that Careerfoundry does not find students jobs; rather, they support students in their job search efforts. This includes a job preparation course that students can begin during the midpoint of the UX design program. The earlier students start and complete the job preparation course, the sooner they can begin applying for jobs, potentially even before completing the UX design program.

The job preparation course, which is mandatory in order to maintain the job warranty, covers a range of topics such as identifying a career strategy, understanding the job search process and key skills, creating a professional cover letter and resume, networking, and preparing for interviews. I found this course to be extremely helpful in building my confidence, particularly when it came to the interview process, which can be intimidating for those new to the field.

Overall, I believe the job preparation course is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to enter the UX design industry and build their confidence in the job search process

Reflections on completing the course

 I recently completed the course and feel confident in my ability to secure a job in UX design. I have a good understanding of the UX design process and a solid foundation in UI design. My portfolio showcases the skills and knowledge I gained during the course and demonstrates my competencies to potential employers. While I feel prepared for a junior UX/UI designer position, I know that I will need to continue improving and expanding my portfolio as I search for a job.

I am aware that the job search process can be challenging and have heard stories from other students who took several months to find employment. I also know of at least one student who was unable to find a job within the 6 month time frame and was eligible for a full refund under the job warranty. However, the majority of students seem to be able to find jobs within the 6 month period. Overall, I feel that the course has provided me with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the UX design field.

Final thoughts 

Overall, I am satisfied with my decision to take the online UX design course with Careerfoundry. The program met my expectations and provided a high-quality education. While the cost of the course is significant, I believe that it will pay off if I am able to secure a job in UX/UI design within 6 months.

If this does not happen, I will be disappointed but will still have the knowledge and skills gained during the course. Additionally, the job warranty offers the added peace of mind that I will receive a refund of my investment.

Advantages

• Job warranty provides financial security
• Support from experienced tutors and mentors
• Opportunity to connect with other students through Slack community
• Final portfolio with 3 projects showcases skills and knowledge
• Flexibility to study part-time or full time 

Disadvantages

• Costly course fee
• Studying from home may lead to feelings of isolation
• Job warranty does not guarantee employment
• Even with a refund, students may still be without a job

If you are interested in taking a course with Careerfoundry, use the following link to receive a 10% discount on any of their offerings.