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Design UX Basics Moving Forward with UX Where Do We Go From Here?

Posted by Xavier Duncan
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Xavier Duncan
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Student 6,138 Points

Just finished UX Basics and would like to further my knowledge. Any suggestions on resources/classes to consider next?

I've already began reading up on systems thinking, UCD, and plan on picking up a copy of "The Design of Everyday Things" by Donald Norman soon, as suggested in the course.

What other resources or classes, either on Treehouse or elsewhere, would be good to try next?

What other fields of study does UX incorporate? I know design and psychology are some, any others?

Thanks!

10 Answers

Aaron Bailey
Aaron Bailey
2,013 Points

Hi Xavier,

This might be like the blind leading the blind but hopefully I can help. I am an in a similar situation and I'd like to offer what I have planned for myself so far.

1 - I would suggest reading up on the theory of UX, which it sounds like you are going to be doing.

2 - I would research the different disciplines in UX that the course went over to see which you gravitate to most. While you might be expected to know a little about all of them there should be a few that you would like to excel at. In my instance, I gravitate more to information architecture and interaction design.

3 - Once you have decided which areas you would like to focus on I'd suggest seeking out classes on them. Treehouse has a lot of great introductory classes on utilizing tools such as Illustrator, Sketch, and Photoshop that would aid in designing. I've already completed the designing for iOS apps course and found it quite helpful with the designing process.

4 - Supplement your knowledge with other books and sources in tandem with Treehouse. There a ton of other knowledge lending sites that will help with this. I plan on building my experience utilizing the design tools mentioned in some of the classes. Once I have a grasp using them on some basic projects I want to extend my knowledge further and work on projects of my own in order to build a portfolio.

Let me know if you find any other good information or sources to use!

Thanks, Aaron

Leonardo Costa
Leonardo Costa
8,069 Points
Leonardo Costa
Leonardo Costa
8,069 Points

Look up the site 52 weeks of ux, created by Joshua Porter and Joshua Brewer. It has not only great insights, but it is very well written and has also a very pleasant aesthetic.

There is one specific chapter where one of them lists books and references to keep learning.

John Grillo
John Grillo
30,241 Points
John Grillo
John Grillo
30,241 Points

Jansen's history of art. Also look up how various theme park rides, espeicially Disney rides, were made. It really helps to understand what kind of experience your visitor/user should have. Jansen's explains how and why certain things inspire holiness and how certain designs [like a smaller chair for your interview subject] can instill a sense of inferiority.

Jan Keiser
Jan Keiser
1,538 Points

Hey that's a good idea - Jansen's book. I have it somewhere from college. it seemed to valuable to return or resell.

Matt Lane
Matt Lane
2,279 Points
Matt Lane
Matt Lane
2,279 Points

If you want another online course, there is the Coursera HCI course https://www.coursera.org/course/hciucsd

Rachel Wynn
Rachel Wynn
5,098 Points
Rachel Wynn
Rachel Wynn
5,098 Points

There are several UX Meetups (and even a UX book club!) in my area. I've also been looking for information on blogs. Pinterest has been a surprising interesting source too!

Henrique Fiorini
Henrique Fiorini
1,501 Points
Henrique Fiorini
Henrique Fiorini
1,501 Points

Hey Xavier!

I suggest you to take a look at the "Interaction Design: Beyond Human-Computer Interaction" book by Jenny Preece to improve the concepts, methods and techniques presented in this course.

It is a dense academic book, but slowly it will cover all details and information to get started into the UX field. Don't get nervous about the lots of content, go at your pace and focus on the basics. Do not forget to practice.

Regards.

Pauline Orr
Pauline Orr
15,321 Points
Pauline Orr
Pauline Orr
15,321 Points

I definitely second your recommendation of that book. We actually used that book in my Human-Computer Interaction university class I'm finishing up.

Angela Li
Angela Li
6,056 Points
Angela Li
Angela Li
6,056 Points

You should read Steve Krug! He has two books that are highly recommended for UX. I was surprised to see they weren't already listed! They are very quick and have a lot of great practical examples. (Plus--My public library even had them!)

Steve Krug - "Rocket Surgery Made Easy" and "Don't make me think"

Good luck!

qemdmrvpii
qemdmrvpii
2,469 Points
qemdmrvpii
qemdmrvpii
2,469 Points

Here is a great link for UX book: https://medium.com/interactive-mind/the-only-ux-reading-list-ever-d420edb3f4ff#.ijvckk2kl

Hope this helps

Mohammad Laif
PLUS
Mohammad Laif
Courses Plus Student 22,297 Points
Mohammad Laif
Mohammad Laif
Courses Plus Student 22,297 Points

There is a simple course in Udacity.com called: Intro to the Design of Everyday Things. Don Norman is the Instructor himself! Intro to the Design of Everyday Things