Top Universe UI/UX Essentials

Students learn user research, wireframing, visual design, and prototyping using industry-standard tools like Figma.
Top Universe UI/UX Essentials

A comprehensive beginner-to-portfolio program covering the complete design process. Each week includes hands-on assignments building toward a complete case study and portfolio piece.

WEEK 1: Introduction to UI/UX Design

Goal: Get familiar with the design world.
  • What is UI vs UX? (Differences & Relationship)
  • The role of a UI/UX Designer
  • Examples of great and poor UX
  • Overview of Design Process (Design Thinking + Double Diamond)

Tools Overview (Figma, Whimsical, Notion, etc.)

Assignment: Case study breakdown of 1 good and 1 bad product experience

WEEK 2: Understanding Users

Goal: Empathy and the power of research.
  • What is User Research and why it matters
  • Types of User Research (Qualitative vs Quantitative)
  • How to create user personas
  • Conducting user interviews (live demo or practice)
  • Intro to Empathy Maps

Assignment: Create 1 user persona + empathy map based on sample research

WEEK 3: Defining the Problem & Ideation

Goal: Framing design problems and thinking up solutions.
  • Writing problem statements
  • How to create user journey maps
  • How to define user goals
  • Brainstorming & Crazy 8s (Ideation techniques)

Assignment: Problem statement + Journey Map for a common user problem (e.g., food delivery app)

Wireframing & Information Architecture

Goal: Low-fidelity design & structuring content.
  • What is wireframing? lo-fi vs hi-fi
  • How to use Figma for basic wireframing
  • Understanding IA: Sitemap, Content hierarchy, Navigation
  • Designing for usability

Assignment: Create a wireframe for a simple app or website (e.g., login or profile page)

WEEK 5: Visual Design Basics (UI)

Goal: Intro to UI and visual language.
  • Principles of visual design (alignment, spacing, typography, color)
  • UI Elements: Buttons, Inputs, Modals, etc.
  • How to build and use design systems
  • UI Inspiration and moodboarding

Assignment: Redesign a basic UI component using Figma

WEEK 6: Prototyping & User Testing

Goal: Bring designs to life and test with real users.
  • Intro to Figma Prototyping (clickable prototypes)
  • User testing methods (moderated, unmoderated, guerrilla)
  • How to collect and analyze feedback
  • Iterating on design based on feedback

Assignment: Build a clickable prototype + share for test & feedback

WEEK 7: Building a Case Study

Goal: Learn how to present your work.
  • What is a case study?
  • Anatomy of a great case study (Problem, Process, Outcome)
  • Portfolio platforms (Notion, Behance, Medium)

Assignment: Start writing your first case study based on your Week 4–6 work

WEEK 8: Portfolio, Career Paths & Next Steps

Goal: Ready for the next chapter.
  • Career paths: Product Designer, UX Researcher, UI Designer, etc.
  • Tips for junior designers (mindset, imposter syndrome, communities)
  • Review and feedback on portfolios
  • How to continue learning (free/paid resources)

Assignment: Finalize one project for your portfolio

Tools Learners Will Use:

  • Figma (Design + Prototyping)
  • Whimsical (User Flows, Sitemaps)
  • Notion or Google Docs (Research & Case Study docs)
  • Google Meet or Zoom (for user interviews / testing practice)

Bonus Resources to Share Weekly

  • UI/UX Glossary
  • UX Interview questions
  • 100+ design inspirations
  • Beginner Project Prompts
  • Free learning communities