User Interface/User Experience Design

The User Interface/User Experience Design Program is a comprehensive program that uses the lens of user experience (UX) to balance technical and design aspects of software and web development. Courses cover material that takes the student through the whole production process and workflow of user interface/user experience design, from research and conceptualization to usability testing and iterative development to delivery of the finished product. Curriculum spans UX research techniques, UX data visualization, user interface (UI) and interaction design, UX writing and content strategy. Classes are taught in a state-of-the-art computer studio with the latest versions of industry-standard software packages. Faculty members have extensive industry experience and their expertise is critical to the success of students in this growing field.

Expectations are once the program is fully operating (by Spring of 2022), we could have from 50 to 100 completers annually. The first introductory class is already a part of other certificates and degrees and has traditionally been well enrolled. As a result, students are already waiting for more advanced classes and the development of certificate and degree programs to satisfy both student and industry demand. Currently, enrollment projections for the introductory classes is 24-32 per section, and we anticipate initially  offering one section per semester. If demand requires it, additional sections will be added to the schedule to accommodate student demand.

User Interface (UI)/User Experience (UX) design is a rapidly growing field, both nationally and in the Bay Area. The User Interface/User Experience Design Program trains students in the skills they need to secure an entry-level position as UI/UX designer, front end developer, front end engineer, web developer, UI developer, UX researcher, content strategist, and interaction designer. Curriculum was developed in conjunction with current industry design experts and reflects the skills currently in demand in the industry.

A Labor Market information report on Digital Art & Animation Occupations prepared by the San Francisco Bay Center of Excellence in September of 2019 states that “Based on all available data, there appears to be a significant undersupply of Digital Art & Animation workers compared to the demand for this cluster of occupations in the Bay region and in the Mid-Peninsula sub-region (San Francisco and San Mateo Counties).”  According to the report, occupational demand in the Bay Region will grow 21% by 2023 (much faster than average). The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that job opportunities in the Digital Art & Animation field in the Mid-Peninsula  Sub-Region are expected to increase by 28% through 2023. 

Course Requirements:

For students, no prior knowledge of user interface (UI) or user experience (UX) design or development techniques is required. The course sequence is designed to provide the information they need in a collaborative, interactive format that has them applying the skills they learn as soon as possible. During a student’s progress through the program, they will design, test, redesign, and asses web pages, mobile apps and games. 

Equipment Requirements:

The intent of the program is to stay current with developing trends in the software, web, and mobile app design industry. Currently, that means training students on industry standard software including the Adobe suite (particularly Illustrator, Photoshop and XD), Sketch, Basalmiq, Tableau, Microsoft Excel and Powerpoint, and Google Sheets and Slides. Programming languages such as Python, R, and Processing are also used in certain classes.

The Digital Art & Animation labs already in use by the department house equipment that is more than adequate for teaching the software and for students to use for development of their projects.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
MART 371	User Interface/User Experience Design	3	S1
MART 374	UX Research Methods	3	S1
MART 390	Portfolio Creation	1.5	S2
MART 392	Content Strategy and UX Writing	3	S2
MART 393	UX Data Visualization	3	S2
MART 394	Interaction Design	3	S2
CBOT 470	Advanced Spreadsheets	1.5	S1

Selective Courses	Title	Units	Minimum of 3 units, any semester
CIS 122	Introduction to Programming: Python	3
MART 314	Introduction to Computer Graphics	3
MART 366	Color Management and Theory	3
MART 385	Coding for Designers and Artists	3
MART 405	Storyboard Development for Animation and Interactive Media	3
MART 416	Drawing for Animation	3
PSYC 205	Social Science Research Methods	3

While the primary goal of the program is definitely CTE, there are additional opportunities available for students who have the skills and experience along with a four-year or graduate degree. Many local companies are desperate for workers with these skills right now, but we want to be sure our students are poised to not only fill the immediate need of jobs in this field, but also the longer-term higher level jobs in the future.

We have been working in close association with Professor Diana Bennett at our sister college, College of San Mateo, to develop a program that responds to industry demands while providing the best possible instruction and support for students within our district. We plan to launch our program first, to build interest, and they will follow the next year. We will alternate our classes so that our students may take a class one semester at one college or the next semester at the other college. This means our students will not risk being unable to graduate because they weren't able to take the class the one time it is offered per year. Given the robust LMI data, both colleges are eager to expand our respective programs to provide excellent education to all of the students in our district.