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Education. My Love.

Helping others transition to a UX Design career.

Overview

  • Taught multiple full-time UX Design courses

  • Developed & delivered course content

  • Built long-lasting relationships 

Day 1: What Am I Doing?!

It's my first day. The lift doors open, I approach front desk and I'm greeted by the host. i tell her "Hi, I'm here to teach UX. It's my first day." She smiles and replies "Oh, sure, you're in room 2. Good luck."

The room is empty. I'm the first one there, on purpose. My intention is to arrive as early as possible, prepare my notes, psych myself up and then stand at the classroom door, greeting the students as they walk in. 

Am I doubting myself at this point? Absolutely. 

My Opening Speech

"Close your eyes. Trust me for a few seconds. How many things make you smile when you're alone? What warms your heart? Is it a thought, a memory, a desire?

Now think about how many other people in the world are thinking and feeling something similar. We are all connected by these things that make us human.

Think about today, we're designing experiences for a 2 year old child to pick up a phone or tablet and interact with it for education and entertainment. 

In hospitals, someone has designed the software and equipment to keep people alive. We are now designing autonomous vehicles and exploring the possibility of inhabiting outer space. If you love binge watching TV, you can work for Netflix. If you love kids, you can work for Disney. If you love Star Wars, you can work for NASA. The point? UX can take you to places you love. 

UX goes above and beyond designing website and apps. It deserves more respect and is powerful enough to change our lives. Open your eyes and let's begin."

What Did They Learn?

The 10 week course was split into 4 modules, being:

  • Research

  • Design

  • Prototype

  • Testing

Within each module, classes focused on theory, examples and group (as well as solo) exercises.

5 projects were assigned, both solo and team based, the final project being with a real client who had a real-world problem they needed solving.

Additionally, students developed their own design portfolio, practiced interview techniques and thought about their own personal brand

Go back to your research.

We placed great emphasis on Research. Students were to

understand that building a solid foundation in Research would give their project greater chance of success. It would also provide a strong reference point throughout the project for them to look back on.

On day 1, students conducted ethnography (context inquiries) to realise the power of observation.

Using affinity mapping, they were able to extract insights, problems & opportunities. Momentum was building. 

Learning can be fun.

Students were encouraged to revisit their childhood via sketching, brainstorming, role playing, telling stories & by using LEGO to solve a problem. 

Black & White Is OK

From paper prototypes to storyboards to wifreframes. Students were encouraged to go black & white, lean & fast to communicate & validate ideas.

The Student Experience

Students visited a number of organisations to learn how they implement UX. The objective was to show students how varied UX can be depending on a number of factors.

Students also participated in community-based mini-hacks.

Students on a site visit to Symplicit, Melbourne.

3D model prototype for our mini-hack project

...it was a long 10 weeks.

Sure, some students worked every hard & came to class exhausted. So, we let them take a break from time-to-time.

Team

Myself // Instructional Associate // (GA's Program Producer)

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