Review of the Interaction Design Foundation | Learning Information Visualization and Human-Computer Interaction
I’ve worked in the user experience and web marketing industries for the last two decades and over that time I’ve learned that the number one rule is change. In response to that change, it is important to continually find ways to expand what you know and constantly find ways to improve your skills so that you can keep pace with what is happening. As well, it is important to find ways to refresh your memory on the fundamentals. Given that, I’m always seeking courses to take — especially online courses that can be taken on my own schedule. After looking at various UX courses that were available, I decided to sign up for courses taught by the Interaction Design Foundation. Their programs offered the most depth of material and were taught by leading experts in the UX space. As well, their rates were reasonable for the types of courses offered.
They offer many different courses but make it super easy to select the courses that are best for you based on your skill level and interests. I opted to register for two courses: Information Visualization and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). I’m always worried after registering for any course that the course won’t live up to the hype — especially since I’ve worked in this industry for a while and have taught similar types of classes myself, my concern was that the courses would prove to be too basic.
I’m happy to say, though, that the courses I took didn’t disappoint. The classes quickly offered new and interesting insights. As well, the instructor’s lectures and the other materials provided struck a good balance between theory and practice. This made it easy to see where the concepts being taught could be applied immediately and the theoretical components helped connect the dots. As a result, the classes filled the exact need I was looking for: helping to expand my knowledge of UX, reinforcing the fundamentals, and offering insight into what’s coming next. I was able to take these ideas and immediately start helping out clients.
If you are looking to expand what you know about UX design, whether you are new to UX or a seasoned UX pro, I’d highly recommend looking at the programs offered by the Interaction Design Foundation.