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User Research

UX without user research is a recipe for bad UX. Great design is rooted in user insights. Develop in-demand skills to become a User Researcher in this bootcamp. Learn through real-world research projects and activities, guided by mentors and instructors.

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Best Suited For

The bootcamp is ideal for people from any background or level of experience. Prior design knowledge or skills are not required because you will learn user research by actually doing user research. The bootcamp is suitable for beginners; if you have prior experience in UX or user research, you can opt for more advanced projects and outcomes.

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What Our Graduates Say

Emily Wright

Visual Designer of Installation Art
Through the program, I learned the tools—research interviews, user personas, task flows, pain points. It has empowered me to speak up and say I have the knowledge to make our online community better our members.

Arielle Strakhov

Digital Marketer at ParentsTogether

Arielle Strakhov is an experienced digital marketer who chose the IxDF to improve her user research skills, build her portfolio and transition to a career in UX. Arielle’s new skills have already helped in her digital marketing work and have put her on the path toward an exciting career in UX design.

Adesh Shah

Principal Investigator and Professor at Algonquin College

Adesh Shah conducts research in artificial intelligence and machine learning. It is a very technical field. When he wanted to expand his ability to understand and design for users, he researched his options and chose the IxDF.

Natalie's Picture
At the end of the day, you’re taking a bootcamp for concrete skills to show. This bootcamp is going to deliver on that.

You’re getting a super high-quality experience and level of education in just about twelve weeks. You can’t beat it!

Brigette LeVert

IxDF Bootcamp Student

What You Will Learn

Module 0: Introduction to User Research

In your orientation week, you will learn about the key terms and concepts of user research at a high level, including:

  • Introduction to User Research

  • The History of User Research

  • Elements of User Research

  • The Process of User Research

  • Careers Within User Research

Additionally, you get to meet your peers and facilitators and will discuss your Bootcamp goals and ambitions with one another.

Module 1: Qualitative Research Basics

In this module, you will dive in deeper to understand how UX researchers work in the software industry. As you finalize the research challenge for your Portfolio project, you will learn about:

  • Conducting Ethical Research

  • Planning a Research Project

  • The Basics of Recruiting

  • Getting to Know Your Users

  • Best Practices for Qualitative User Research

Module 2: Usability Testing: A) Plan & Prepare the Study

The most common research and testing method is the usability test. As part of your Capstone project, you’ll be conducting a usability study on a competitor product. This will give you insight into your problem domain and your target users. To prepare for your usability test you will:

  • Recruit representative participants.

  • Decide which flows or pages to test.

  • Design scenarios and tasks for your participants.

  • Write your testing script, including screener and follow-up questions.

  • Synthesize all your work into a usability test plan.

Your usability test plan is only part of your preparation. You will have to learn by doing, seeking to apply best practices as a moderator and as an interviewer. You will:

  • Develop your usability testing and moderating skills through workshops and pilot testing.

  • See expert moderators in action.

Finally, you will run your usability test and analyze your data. You will learn how to present your analyzed results in a usability test report.

Module 3: Usability Testing: B) Run the Usability Test

With your plan, script, and all supplies ready to go, this week you will conduct your usability study (combined with an interview at the end), and then compile the data you have collected. You will learn by doing, seeking to apply best practices as a moderator and as an interviewer. Here’s what you’ll experience:

  • Usability testing and moderating skills.

  • Running a usability test.

  • See expert moderators in action.

Module 4: Contextual Inquiry

Contextual inquiries mix observing participants in their own environment and interviews. You can observe how your target users behave in their natural context and ask and learn why they do things. and understand their attitudes. Contextual inquiries provide insight into the work processes and daily routines of users. It provides a deep understanding of the context in which your products are used. After your run your contextual inquiry, you will analyze your data by:

  • Doing a Thematic Analysis of Interviews

  • Analyzing a Contextual Inquiry

  • Creating a user journey map

  • Creating actionable personas from your research

  • Creating "How Might We" statements to guide the design process

The deliverables from your analysis will ensure that the design team will "design the right thing," and "design things right."

In addition to planning and conducting a contextual inquiry, you will learn additional research methods that you can use throughout your career.

Module 5: Semi-Structured Qualitative Interviews

Conducting customer interviews is one of the key skills of doing user research. This week you will be learning the fundamentals of semi-structured interviews as you begin planning and recruiting for your study. You’ll learn how to ask the right questions: open-ended, unbiased and non-leading questions that will uncover valid responses and insights from your target users. The lessons this week cover:

  • An introduction to semi-structured qualitative interviews.

  • How to prepare for a user Interview and ask the right questions.

  • Create a test plan.

  • Moderating user interviews.

  • How to do a Thematic Analysis of User Interviews

  • How to Visualize Your Qualitative User Research Results for Maximum Impact

  • Affinity Diagrams, Empathy Maps, User Journey Maps

  • Creating Actionable Personas from User Research Results

Download a PDF of the .

Choose a Time that Suits Your Schedule

We know that life can get busy, and we don’t want that to stand in your way! IxDF Bootcamps run several cohorts per year, and various timeslots per bootcamp class.

Time Zone Morning ☼ Afternoon ☀ Night ☽
PDT –
CEST –
EDT –

Please note that classes will only run if they meet our minimum required number of students. In the case that your preferred time is not available, we will try to accommodate you if possible in either another class or our next cohort.

Our Graduates Work For Top Employers

Project Showcase

In just a few weeks, you will have created portfolio-ready projects to reflect your new skills that you can bring to your next client or employer.

Below are just a few examples of the projects that our amazing students have created. You bring the talent and drive, our mentors and facilitators add some guidance, and great things happen.

Why Choose an IxDF Bootcamp

Pay Less, Pay Flexibly
Mentor meetings

Costs 80% lesser than other UX bootcamps, despite more senior facilitators. The difference? We’re focused on you, not on profits.

Part-Time
Mentor meetings

All you need is 8-10 hours/week for 12 weeks. Flexible and easy to fit into your busy schedule, even if you work or study full-time.

Fully-Remote
Mentor meetings

Learn from anywhere—all you need is a computer and internet. You’ll make friends from around the world!

Real-World Learning
Mentor meetings

Get feedback and guidance on your projects from experienced facilitators and mentors who are actively working on UX projects and in UX industries.

Job Readiness
Mentor meetings

Get closer to your dream job with confidence. All IxDF Bootcamps are based on industry practices, processes and tools to prepare you as a UX practitioner.

Case Study Project
Mentor meetings

Learn by doing—at the end of the bootcamp, you’ll have a full showcase of deliverables that represent your case study process resulting in a final Case Study Project.

1:1 and Group Critique
Mentor meetings

Learn and grow with your peers in group sessions as well as individually through 1:1 sessions with mentors and course facilitators.

Industry Recognized
Mentor meetings

Employers worldwide will recognize your Bootcamp Certificate. IxDF is the world’s largest online design school with 129,662+ graduates.

Price $2,992

Well begun is half done—give your career a promising start and make your way towards a high-paying User Research role! A 1-year membership to 35+ IxDF self-paced courses is included!

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Pay in Installments $750

Paid monthly for 4 months + $192 paid once for a 1-year Professional Membership to IxDF.

Sign up now, pay later

Compare IxDF With Other UI/UX Bootcamps

IxDF Bootcamps don’t just lead the industry in affordability—when it comes to all other aspects of the bootcamp experience, we’re at par (and sometimes ahead) of others. All this while continuing to provide you with high quality at low costs.

Interaction Design Foundation
IxDF
 Career Foundry
Career Foundry
 Flatiron School
FlatIron School
 General Assembly
General Assembly
 thinkful
Thinkful
Number of UX Bootcamps 4 2 1 1 1
Price Per Bootcamp $2,992 $7,999 $16,900 $14,950 $12,150
Industry Experience 20 yrs 9 yrs 11 yrs 11 yrs 10 yrs
Peer Reviewed Content
Online Global Community
Optional Meetings in Your City
Suitable for Beginners
Group Critiques
Live Practical Workshops

Want to Know More?

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Hi, I’m Nadya. Have questions about IxDF Bootcamps? Reach me directly via the form or email me at ux-bootcamps@interaction-design.org .
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Curriculum
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Bootcamp FAQ

What's the difference between taking an IxDF course and taking an IxDF bootcamp?

The IxDF courses are self-paced and designed for independent study without the assistance of a mentor or instructor.

Whereas, with an IxDF bootcamp, you’ll have:

  • An in-depth curriculum + recommended schedule of daily and weekly activities

  • Live class discussions with a facilitator

  • Personalized feedback on projects and peer critiques from your facilitator

  • Discussions and forums with your fellow students

  • A virtual classroom and common room environment

Will I be able to take the bootcamp if English is not my first language?

You can take the bootcamp as long as you are comfortable with reading, writing and speaking English—even if it isn't your first language

We welcome students from around the world, and in recognition of the fact that English will not be everyone’s first language, we’ve maintained a simple level of English in all our materials. And if you occasionally do get stuck, don’t worry—your facilitator will be able to help you!

How many hours per week do I need to spend on the bootcamp?
You’ll spend 8-10 hours per week on the bootcamp, which includes project work, lessons, class discussions with the instructor and meetings with your mentor.
What makes an IxDF bootcamp different from the others?

Over the 20 years that we've been helping people start their careers in UX and related fields, we've constantly worked to understand what employers expect from aspiring designers, and where conventional bootcamps fail to deliver. Time and time again, employers have reported the same concern to us—that many popular bootcamps fail to produce students with the adequate depth and breadth to work effectively in a real UX or product team.

Many bootcamps pack introductions to UX, UI and User Research into a single bootcamp, often leaving students without enough time or opportunity to really master each area. Since these bootcamps do not offer enough depth and breadth in these areas, their students are often unable to showcase the expected variety and mastery of concepts to employers.

At IxDF, each bootcamp will give you exactly the kind of breadth and depth employers expect in each area. You'll devote an entire 12-week bootcamp to learning about a specific domain, and you'll create a Portfolio Project with tons of real deliverables for your portfolio. At the same time, because each specialization gets its own bootcamp, you still have the freedom to pick only those that are relevant to your goals.

In a nutshell: Employers want to see depth and variety in portfolios, which students struggle to achieve through conventional bootcamps that are also longer and more expensive. IxDF offers shorter, specialized bootcamps for a fraction of the price which help students to achieve mastery over UX and related fields, making them better prepared for the demands of a real job and giving them an advantage even in a competitive job market.

What kind of projects will I work on?
Practical project work accounts for about 60% of what you'll do in the bootcamp. This will be a combination of standalone practice activities, as well as Capstone Project Work, which refers to a series of individual assignments connected to the Capstone Project Brief you choose at the start, ultimately forming your Capstone Presentation at the end of the bootcamp.

Whatever the type of practical work, you’ll create real deliverables that you’ll encounter when you work in a real design or product team. Each of these deliverables will make perfect additions to your portfolio.
Can the bootcamp fit around my current job or studies?
Absolutely! We believe no one should have to put their life on hold to learn and improve their careers, so you can rest assured that with IxDF bootcamps, you'll never have to.

The bootcamp is fully online and part-time, where you'll have the flexibility to learn across 12 weeks. While you will need to be available at specific times for live lectures and meetings, these will be during weekdays at specific times that you will know well in advance.

To make it even easier for you to plan your schedule, we've maintained these activities on the same day most weeks. For example, live class discussions may always fall on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same time, allowing you to plan other meetings and errands around it easily.

You can also work on lessons and project work flexibly based on your schedule. Deadlines, while strict, are spaced well enough to give you time for your job, studies or busy home life.
Can I get a refund if I’m not satisfied?
If you're unhappy with your bootcamp experience, you can inform us at any time and we'll do our best to find a resolution for you. If despite our best efforts, you still wish to quit the bootcamp, you can request a refund. To be eligible for the refund, you should request it within the first 14 days of the bootcamp.

Beyond the 14 days, we don't process refunds. However, if there's anything we can improve or fix for you, you will have our dedicated support right through the bootcamp.
What’s the difference between the Design League Membership and doing a Bootcamp?

The Design League membership is a monthly membership that gives you 2 hours of non-structured discussion time with a coach each month. However, the Design League does not include coach participation outside of the 2 hours of calls.

If you’d like more hands-on guidance than what the Design League offers, the bootcamp could be right for you. In contrast to a Design League membership type, the bootcamp is a full-fledged program packed with guidance from a facilitator.

  • As you learn fundamental theory and concepts, you'll be guided by experienced facilitators.

  • When you work on your case studies, your facilitator will help you every step of the way.

  • Moreover, if you enjoy learning with your peers, the bootcamp also includes peer reviews and live group sessions/discussions.


In short, as compared to the Design League, the bootcamp offers a more structured approach to learning, and more opportunities to interact with facilitators and fellow students.

Can I take the bootcamp even if I'm not based in the US?
Absolutely, the bootcamp is open to students from around the world! After you sign up, you'll also get to choose from at least 2 options of timings for live class discussions, and you'll be paired with a mentor in a time zone that's suitable for you.

You'll learn alongside students from all over the world, and our team of mentors and instructors is similarly global and diverse.
Can I specialize in a specific area of UX, UI or research in the bootcamp?

Every IxDF bootcamp is inherently specialized in nature. IxDF offers bootcamps specializing in UX Design, User Research and UI Design (coming soon). In each of these bootcamps, you will dive very deep into conceptual and practical work and emerge with a solid foundation and the skills to put that foundation to use in the real world.

Within each bootcamp, you can customize many aspects of your project briefs and choose to work in a domain that interests you.

Employers want to see depth and variety in portfolios, which students struggle to achieve through conventional bootcamps that are also longer and more expensive. IxDF offers shorter, specialized bootcamps for a fraction of the price which help students to achieve mastery over UX and related fields, making them better prepared for the demands of a real job and giving them an advantage even in a competitive job market.

I have absolutely no prior experience related to UX. Will I be able to take the bootcamp?
Definitely! The bootcamp is designed with complete beginners in mind. You don’t need any prior conceptual or practical knowledge in the field to take this bootcamp. You will learn by doing and your work will be continuously evaluated by your expert mentor to keep you on the right track. You will also learn the most essential theory aspects through lessons and through class discussions with your instructor.
Is there any placement or career support with the bootcamp?
This bootcamp by itself does not come with placement or career support. That said, the bootcamp will train you in many areas that will make it much easier for you to find and land your dream job. You'll learn to:
  • Create and present real deliverables in a compelling way
  • Work with peers in a group to give and receive feedback in a team-like environment
  • Think like a designer and solve real-world problems
  • Manage and meet deadlines
  • Present your process like real professionals do
Will I get a certificate once I complete an IxDF bootcamp?
Yes, you’ll get a digital certificate that’s displayed on your IxDF profile, and you can also share it on LinkedIn like all our course certificates. You'll also receive a downloadable copy that you can print and share if any employers or recruiters need you to.
What is the quality of IxDF bootcamps compared to other UX bootcamps?
The content in IxDF courses and bootcamps are developed by and with industry-recognized leaders in UX Design. Just like in our self-paced courses, the content in the bootcamp is created by people who have both worked in the industry and taught UX academically. This means that you’ll learn from people who are experts at teaching UX concepts and are also extremely well-versed with the nuances, demands and responsibilities of a real UX job.

Our selection process for mentors and instructors is extremely rigorous and selective. We go the extra mile to ensure that all our bootcamp teaching staff are equally skilled as educators and practitioners, with a proven track-record and 5-15 years of experience. In this aspect, IxDF bootcamps are ahead of the industry—many other bootcamps hire their own recent graduates as instructors. At IxDF, we insist that our instructors have worked on varied projects and held leadership roles in the industry.
If I purchase one bootcamp, will I get access to all other bootcamps?
When you sign up for a bootcamp, you get access just to the specific bootcamp that you signed up for. If you'd like to join other bootcamps, you will have to sign up for them individually.

If you work or study full-time, we recommend taking only 1 bootcamp at a time so that you can manage the workload and time commitments without getting burnt out. We have rolling enrolments for all bootcamps, so you can always start with one bootcamp and make your way through the others without waiting too long.
What live classes and meetings are in the User Research bootcamp, and at what time?

The bootcamp includes weekly live interactions such as:

  • Live lectures, group critiques, Q&As (1 hour each | attendance optional)

  • Live workshops (1/week for 1-1.5 hours | 80% live attendance required

  • 1:1 meetings with your mentor (total of 2 sessions of 60 minutes each)

Additionally, you can book OPTIONAL office hours with your facilitator for 30 minutes. This is not mandatory, and is available once per week on a first-come, first-serve basis. All live sessions will be taking place at the same time and same day of the week, and there are multiple class time options to choose from.

To confirm the available time options for live sessions for the User Research bootcamp, please reach out to the Bootcamp Team via email at ux-bootcamps@interaction-design.org.

How to fit the bootcamp into a busy schedule

Most weeks, these events will occur on the same day at or around the same time slot you have chosen, giving you consistency and clarity to plan ahead.

For instance, if you're an early bird and booked a time slot in the morning, you can block out these time slots to occur right at the start of your day.  Then, just set your alarm, and request your manager and colleagues not to book meetings with you during this hour (especially on your mandatory session day, which is normally Tuesday).

The same goes for if you select an afternoon or evening slot. We work hard to ensure to honor and respect your availability, so once you've selected your slot, you can expect all important meetings to occur within this time frame.

The bootcamp also includes project work and theory lessons—you can do them whenever your schedule permits (before work, after work, on weekends, etc.). These components do have deadlines, but they're very well-spaced and generous so as to take the pressure off you. 

What is the attendance criteria in the bootcamp?
Live classes with the instructor and mentor workshops will be recorded and available to watch again. However, you still need to maintain minimum attendance requirements for these sessions.

  • Live Classes: 65% minimum attendance
  • Mentor Workshops and 1:1s: 75% minimum attendance
What do you mean by "part-time" bootcamp? Can I study at my own pace or only when I'm free?
Part-time in the context of the bootcamp means that you only need 8-10 hours per week to do the bootcamp; this means you don't need to study full-time (usually equal to 40 hours/week), and you can do the bootcamp even if you work full-time or have demanding commitments like being the primary caretaker to children and family.

That said, because the bootcamp is a more immersive and intensive learning experience than a regular online course, there are certain events you have to be present for at a specific time. And there are deadlines for your coursework.

You can do the project work and theory lessons whenever your schedule permits (before work, after work, on weekends, etc.). These components do have deadlines, but they're very well-spaced and generous so as to take the pressure off you.

When it comes to live classes, live workshops and mentor 1:1s, you have some flexibility when it comes to choosing from the available time slots—but once you have chosen a time slot, you are required to be present for these sessions and meet minimum attendance requirements.

These sessions usually happen at the time slot you have chosen. They occur 3-4 times a week, for a maximum of 1 hour. Because of this, you can easily plan around them and fit them into your schedule by simply blocking your chosen hour out for the bootcamp during the week.
My working hours conflict with the available time slots for classes in the bootcamp. What can I do?
Sometimes, the 1-hour time slots available for class discussions and mentor workshops can fall within your work timings. In this case, you could benefit from speaking to your manager and colleagues and requesting them to excuse you for just this 1 hour period. In such cases, you could work an extra hour of the day to compensate, and schedule your meetings around the bootcamp. And since one bootcamp takes only 12 weeks, so it is a minor, short-term adjustment for you and your colleagues.

Many of our students have used this approach and found that they not only got the space they needed to accommodate the bootcamp, but they were also appreciated for taking the time to up-skill themselves.

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