Course Description
This course is intended for beginners who want to learn modern design technologies to create digital products and services that meet user needs.
In 2026, UI/UX designer is one of the most in-demand professions in the IT and design sectors. Design has the power to make the world a better place, and UI/UX designers do just that every day—improving user experiences and finding intuitive, seamless solutions that prioritize clarity and efficiency.
This course will provide the foundational knowledge of UI/UX design and can be the starting point of your IT career. Each participant will create their own personal project and receive daily feedback.
Participant Requirements
- Secondary education
- Basic computer literacy
- English language proficiency
- Strong motivation to learn
Course Schedule
Each session includes UI/UX theory, practical work in Figma, discussions, and reviews of course projects.
Day 1: Course Introduction. Introduction to UI/UX. Roles: UI, UX, Product, and Research Designer. Professional challenges and specifics. UX frameworks and methodologies. Overview of Figma software.
Day 2: Designing for Different Platforms. Web vs. Mobile. Types of mobile applications. Adapting design to different screen sizes and resolutions. Responsive and adaptive design.
Day 3: User Research. Personas and user stories. CJM (Customer Journey Map), user flow, and the JTBD method (Jobs To Be Done). Creating a mood board with examples. Analyzing user feedback. Naming, structure, and consistency.
Day 4: Information Architecture and Visual Design. Fundamentals of visual design. From flow to layout. Wireframing and layout grids. Composition and visual hierarchy. Types of application screens. Colors and typography. Common UI patterns (list, card, modal, nav bar, etc.).
Day 5: Interaction Design. Interaction between the user and the interface. Understanding user behavior, best practices in interaction design. Microinteractions. Cognitive and other types of load. Levels of prototyping (clickable, animated, AI-simulated).
Day 6: Usability Testing. Planning and conducting usability tests. Analyzing and interpreting test results. Web and mobile frameworks. Advanced Figma features (Auto Layout).
Day 7: Integrating UI/UX Design into the Development Process. Collaboration with developers (Storybook) and other stakeholders. Design documentation. Reusable components in Figma. Design tokens. Usability and accessibility (WCAG standards).
Day 8: Design Systems. Atomic design methodology. Figma Make and Artificial Intelligence. Career opportunities in the UI/UX field. Job interviews, test tasks, and whiteboard challenges. From prototype to case study – how to present your work. Final feedback.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
- Understand the role of a UI/UX or product designer
- Know the basics of design thinking
- Be familiar with general applications and technical requirements of visual communication
- Learn the fundamentals of Figma for digital sketching and prototyping
- Enhance their portfolio with a UI/UX project
Assessment
The course concludes with an assessment. To pass, participants must attend at least 75% of the contact sessions. The assessment consists of presenting the personal project developed during the course and receiving feedback. Upon successful completion and submission of written feedback, a continuing education certificate from the Estonian Academy of Arts will be issued.
Required Materials
Personal laptop
Figma (free trial– figma.com)
Instructor
Andrei Kedrin graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts in 2006 with a BA in Graphic Design. He has 20 years of design experience and, for the past five years, has primarily worked as a designer of digital (B2B) products. He teaches art courses at Kumu and is interested in new forms of digital art.
Time: April 13 to May 6, 2026 – Mondays and Wednesdays, 18:00–19:30
Location: Põhja pst 7, Tallinn, Estonian Academy of Arts, Room A402
Volume: 16 academic hours of contact learning and 10 hours of independent work (1 ECTS)
Curriculum Group: Audiovisual techniques and media production
Group Size: 9 to 10 participants
Additional Information: koolitus@artun.ee, +372 5919 9496
Registration Deadline: April 6 or until spots are filled
Fee: €410
If you register before March 30, it is possible to pay in two: €200 upon registration, followed by €210 by April 4.