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UC San Diego · on Coursera

User Experience: Research & Prototyping

Beginner English SpecializationFREE
Our recommendation
A UC San Diego course on Coursera (Scott Klemmer) focused on two core design skills: understanding users through research, and quickly turning ideas into testable prototypes. It is practical and method-driven, part of UCSD's Interaction Design Specialization. Good for people who want the research-and-prototyping heart of UX.

Good for: Learning UX research methods and rapid prototyping.

Less suitable if: You want visual/UI design skills or a specific tool tutorial.

Skills you'll gain

UX researchPrototypingUsability testingUser researchInteraction designWireframing

Is this course right for you?

A good fit if you…

You want research and prototyping skills
You are entering or growing in UX
You are taking the UCSD Interaction Design specialisation

Consider something else if you…

You want visual/UI design
You want a single-tool tutorial
You already run UX research

Requirements: None; some design interest helps.

Realistic time: Around 15–20 hours over a few weeks.

About this course

User Experience: Research & Prototyping focuses on two skills at the heart of design: understanding users and quickly turning ideas into testable prototypes. From UC San Diego's Scott Klemmer, it covers research methods and several forms of prototyping — storyboards, role-play, walkthroughs, and touchpoints — none of which require any coding.

What you'll learn

Apply core user-research methods
Prototype with storyboards and role-play
Run walkthroughs and map touchpoints
Test ideas quickly and cheaply
Design based on user evidence
Iterate from research into better designs

This course includes

Yes
Certificate
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language

What it costs

You can audit the course free on Coursera. A certificate needs a Coursera subscription (about $49/month) or Coursera Plus, with financial aid available. It is part of the UC San Diego Interaction Design Specialisation.

Comparison · LBS

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Prices & availability can change — confirm on the provider's site. We're not affiliated with any single provider.

Is the certificate recognised?

A UC San Diego certificate on Coursera is a credible learning record. It is a course certificate rather than a professional qualification or degree.

Last updated

Instructor

SK
Scott Klemmer
Coursera instructor

Scott Klemmer is a professor of cognitive science and computer science at UC San Diego and a well-known HCI researcher and educator. Learners frequently single him out as a clear, engaging instructor.

About this provider

CO
Coursera
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Frequently asked questions

UX research methods for understanding users, and rapid prototyping to turn ideas into testable designs.
Yes, you can audit it free; the certificate needs a Coursera subscription or Coursera Plus.
No — it focuses on research and prototyping rather than visual or UI design.
Yes, it is part of UC San Diego's Interaction Design Specialisation.
Around 15–20 hours over a few weeks.
Free
to audit
Enroll now