Best UI/UX Design Bootcamps
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As online usage becomes more prevalent and online users get savvier, organizations need to be increasingly innovative if they want their online products to stand out amongst the competition. This requirement creates a heavy demand for UI/UX designers who specialize in creating meaningful experiences and digital interactions for users.
As a response to this demand, UI/UX design bootcamps have become a useful training option. Suitable for aspiring digital designers and experienced design professionals, these condensed programs have grown a lot. A 2022 Technavio report projects the coding bootcamp market to reach $1.20 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of over 19% between 2021 and 2026.
Here, we examine the UI/UX design field and what UI/UX design jobs entail. We also highlight some of the best UI/UX design bootcamps, explore what makes these programs special, and share what students can expect from them.
What Is UI/UX Design?
UI/UX design stands for user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design. Together, these fields make up the usability design process for a digital product. UI design focuses on the aesthetics and function of the digital design. UX design deals with the interaction experience, such as the digital design's usability.
While other design professionals can have overlapping responsibilities, UI/UX designers focus on creating the most effective digital product experience for the user. In contrast, product designers oversee the entire design, and graphic and visual designers focus on the idea and brand communication.
As the digital marketplace expands, the importance of UI/UX design grows. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center study, 85% of adult Americans go online daily, and nearly a third of adults go online "almost constantly."
UI/UX design jobs ensure these users get the experience they seek when they pick up a device.
What Is a UI/UX Designer's Salary?
While many professionals hold combined UI/UX design jobs, an accurate UI/UX designer salary is not available. According to Payscale, however, the average base salary for UX designers is $76,340 as of August 2022. The average base salary for UI designers is $66,490 as of September 2022 Payscale data. Check out other designer roles you can get below:
Product Designer
Product designers oversee the entire design process, including the business and manufacturing components. They create products that align with management and consumer needs and collaborate with engineers, developers, and marketing staff. Their designs incorporate considerations about form, function, cost, and market appeal.
Average Annual Salary (August 2022): $87,030
Visual Designer
Visual designers use color, images, and visualizations to enhance brands, products, and consumer interactions. They not only ensure that the consumer likes what they see, but they ensure that the visuals stand out and evoke the appropriate feelings and responses.
Average Annual Salary (September 2022): $66,640
UX Researcher
UX researchers provide organizations and UI/UX designers with insights about their users and customers. These professionals study user interactions, behavior and psychology, and product designs to learn how people interact with certain products and designs and why.
Average Annual Salary (August 2022): $88,790
Best UI/UX Design Bootcamps
BrainStation
- Location: Remote, Toronto, Miami, New York, Vancouver, London
- Program Cost: $15,000
- Learning Format: Online, In-Person
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
BrainStation's UX design bootcamp provides live online and in-person training in UX fundamentals, user interface, research and planning, and applied design thinking. The training features guest lectures, panel discussions, and hands-on collaborations with industry professionals.
BrainStation students also benefit from professional development services, such as career coaches, workshops, and a demo day. As a result, BrainStation reports that over 90% of graduates get hired within 180 days of completing their program. Its community includes a network of more than 250,000 professionals and over 6,500 global hiring partners.
Coding Dojo
- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $13,245
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Part Time
Coding Dojo's UI/UX bootcamp curriculum combines live instruction from industry-experienced teachers, plus workshops, feedback channels, and self-study. The 24-week program features UI/UX literacy training, projects with real clients and products, and portfolio building.
Students enjoy career support that begins when classes start and lasts as long as learners need. Coding Dojo reports that 8,000 students have completed their programs, and over 83% of graduates find work within six months of graduation.
Flatiron School
- Location: Remote, New York City
- Program Cost: $16,900
- Learning Format: In Person, Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
Flatiron School's UI/UX product design bootcamp equips students with skills in ethical and inclusive design, research, product strategy, and design communication. Students work with contemporary tools and technologies and learn from industry experts and guest speakers. They also develop professional portfolios.
The program lasts between 15-40 weeks, and Flatiron School provides graduates with up to 180 days of career coaching. Students can also access the Flatiron School's community events.
General Assembly
- Location: Remote, Charlotte, New York City, Toronto
- Program Cost: $15,950
- Learning Format: Online, In-Person
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time, Self-Paced
General Assembly's UX design bootcamp features training in UX fundamentals, foundations, design, and development. Students learn to collaborate with product teams and work on actual case studies. General Assembly learners also build a professional portfolio and gain access to over 50 career coaches providing one-on-one help.
General Assembly reports nearly 75% of their 2020 graduates found work within six months of graduation. After completing the bootcamp, students can take an additional 22 hours of self-paced postgraduate content.
Ironhack
- Location: Remote, São Paulo, Mexico City, Barcelona, Berlin, Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, Miami
- Program Cost: $12,000
- Learning Format: Online, In-Person
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
Ironhack's UI/UX design bootcamp covers the digital product lifecycle. This includes research, design thinking, development, Figma, and design implementation. The program runs for 9-24 weeks via full-time or part-time schedules.
Throughout the bootcamp, students build a professional portfolio comprising between 3-6 projects that highlight various skills. Ironhack's over 10,000 graduates benefit from career services, which assist them with the job preparation and job search processes.
LearningFuze
- Location: Irvine, California
- Program Cost: $3,995
- Learning Format: In Person
- Time Commitment: Part Time
LearningFuze's UI/UX design bootcamp provides training in core and advanced design concepts. The 12-week curriculum includes between 15-20 weekly hours of instruction. While classes take place in person, online participation may be available.
The training includes industry expert-led discussions and hands-on projects to help students build professional portfolios. LearningFuze reports that over 94% of their graduates who use their career services find employment within six months of graduation.
Noble Desktop
- Location: Remote, New York City
- Program Cost: $3,495
- Learning Format: Online, In Person
- Time Commitment: Part Time
Noble Desktop's UI/UX design bootcamp includes 126 hours of training in design fundamentals, research and testing, and webpage and app design. Students also develop a professional portfolio highlighting their projects throughout the program.
Noble Desktop students and graduates receive six mentoring sessions for academic and career support. They also get one-on-one job preparation and professional and academic feedback. Graduates can refresh their training within the year for free.
Springboard
- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $11,900
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Part Time, Self-Paced
Springboard's UI/UX design bootcamp trains students in design thinking, user research, and ideating. Learners also complete practice exercises and study wireframing and prototyping. Students can complete the program in nine months of part-time study. Along with instruction, they complete four design projects for their portfolio, including a 40-hour industry design project.
Springboard offers one-on-one mentorship with a career coach. It reports that 99.5% of UI/UX design bootcamp graduates find employment within one year of graduation.
Thinkful
- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $12,150
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Full Time, Part Time
Thinkful's UI/UX design bootcamp covers the fundamentals and best practices for the entire design process. The program lasts between 5-6 months, requiring 20-25 weekly study hours for self-paced students and 50 weekly study hours for full-time students. Thinkful's instructors hold at least three years of relevant industry experience.
Bootcamp students can access learning assistants and industry mentors for feedback and consultations. Thinkful also offers personalized career coaching, workshops, and access to open job postings.
University of California, Berkeley
- Location: Remote
- Program Cost: $13,495
- Learning Format: Online
- Time Commitment: Part-Time
UC Berkeley's UI/UX design bootcamp includes training in design methodology, research, and design theory. The curriculum also covers interface development and prototyping. Students take classes three evenings per week for 24 weeks. As they complete the training, they build a portfolio.
In addition to live instruction from industry experts, UC Berkeley students can also access a tutor network and quarterly tech talks. The school also provides career support services like career planning, portfolio reviews, career coaching, and skills training.
Get the Qualities You Want in a Bootcamp
We use icons to make browsing bootcamps easy for you. Use this breakdown to quickly identify program qualities you are looking for.
Accepts GI Bill®
Accepts the GI Bill® as funding for tuition.
Also Available In Person
This online bootcamp also offers in-person options.
Career Services
Offers career services to help you land your dream job after graduation.
CIRR Member
This bootcamp is a current member of the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting. Learn more at cirr.org.
Evening & Weekend Options
Bootcamps are offered during convenient evening and weekend hours.
Job Guarantee
Employment is guaranteed as soon as you finish your bootcamp.
Money-Back Guarantee
Tuition is refunded if you don't land a job within a given time frame after graduation. Visit the bootcamp website for terms and conditions.
Start for Free
No deposit is required to get started. Begin your bootcamp for $0.
Methodology
Bootcamp Ranking Guidelines
At BestColleges, we believe the best bootcamp is the one that fits your schedule, your learning needs, and your career aspirations. That's why we often present our recommendations in alphabetical order -- because the real best bootcamp is the bootcamp that's best for you.
Our Methodology
The Bootcamp Team at BestColleges has collected data for over 150 bootcamps to help you find the best bootcamp.
At BestColleges, we believe the best bootcamp is the one that fits your schedule, your learning needs, and your career aspirations. That's why we often present our recommendations in alphabetical order -- because the real best bootcamp is the bootcamp that's best for you.
At this time, our recommendation round-ups feature only immersive bootcamps designed to prepare students for job placement upon graduation.
To be included on our lists, bootcamps must meet the following criteria:
- Must offer at least one bootcamp in the United States.
- Must offer at least one bootcamp that is a minimum of 4 weeks long.
- Must require at least 15 hours of work per week if the bootcamp is part time.
- Must encourage at least 10 hours of work per week if the bootcamp is self-paced.
Pricing disclosure: The prices listed were collected from product websites in 2022. However, given the dynamic, fast-paced nature of the tech space, prices are subject to change throughout the year. To get the most up-to-date information about pricing, contact providers directly.
Methodology for Recommending Cheap Bootcamps:
- The bootcamp must meet all of the general criteria listed above.
- The bootcamp must cost less than $8,000 if it is offered full time, and less than $5,000 if it is offered part time. These numbers were chosen based on data collected by BestColleges in 2020 that determined the average cost of a coding bootcamp is $13,580.
Other Notable UI/UX Design Bootcamps
- Bethel School of Technology
- Burlington Code Academy
- Deep Dive Coding
- Designlab
- DigitalCrafts
- Kenzie Academy
- Northwestern University
- University of California, Davis
Frequently Asked Questions About UI/UX Design Bootcamps
Can I learn UI/UX design online?
Yes. You can learn UI/UX design online in many ways, including the UI/UX design bootcamps listed in this guide. You can also pursue UI and UX design bootcamps individually online. These programs offer part-time, full-time, and self-paced schedules, plus synchronous and asynchronous delivery formats.
Online colleges and universities may offer certificate programs or UI/UX design courses as well. You can also gain UI/UX design skills through online self-study, such as video tutorials and reading materials.
Can I learn UI/UX Design for free?
Yes. Aspiring UI/UX designers can learn this field for free using resources available online. You can make use of many free coding bootcamps, which provide varying levels of training at no cost. You can also develop your own curriculum or specialization by compiling free online courses.
Other options include watching tutorials on YouTube or joining free workshops. You can also read through the vast collection of free design guides and walkthroughs. Consider practicing and hobby designing while you digest the information, as this will contextualize the information and help you work through challenges.
Are UI/UX Design bootcamps worth it?
Yes. While bootcamp value varies by the program and the person, these programs have many benefits. UI/UX design bootcamps feature specialized and practical training in a condensed format. These accelerated programs allow learners to develop the necessary skills for entry-level positions or advance their careers without having to invest in a degree.
Bootcamps may feature lower training costs than many colleges and universities. They may also have more accessible admission requirements than some college programs. Bootcamp students can receive other perks as well, including financial aid, tuition assistance, and career services support.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/index.asp.
Feature Image: Eugene Mymrin / Moment / Getty Images
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