UI Design Patterns for Successful Software
How This Course Will Help Your Career
What You’ll Learn
- How user interface (UI) design patterns can speed up your design processes
- How to choose user interface design patterns and use them appropriately
- How to organize content to achieve maximum usability
- How to ensure minimal effort is required from the user when moving through the user interface
- How to simplify data entry and reduce errors
- How to use social aspects within your user interface designs
- How to enhance the user experience of a user interface
Have you ever found yourself spotting shapes in the clouds? That is because people are hard-wired to recognize patterns, even when there are none. It’s the same reason that we often think we know where to click when first experiencing a website—and get frustrated if things aren’t where we think they should be. Choosing the right user interface design pattern is crucial to taking advantage of this natural pattern-spotting, and this course will teach you how to do just that.
User interface design patterns are the means by which structure and order can gel together to make powerful user experiences. Structure and order are also a user’s best friends, and along with the fact that old habits die hard (especially on the web), it is essential that designers consider user interfaces very carefully before they set the final design in stone. Products should consist of such good interactions that users don’t even notice how they got from point A to point B. Failing to do so can lead to user interfaces that are difficult or confusing to navigate, requiring the user to spend an unreasonable amount of time decoding the display—and just a few seconds too many can be “unreasonable”—rather than fulfilling their original aims and objectives.
While the focus is on the practical application of user interface design patterns, by the end of the course you will also be familiar with current terminology used in the design of user interfaces, and many of the key concepts under discussion. This should help put you ahead of the pack and furnish you with the knowledge necessary to advance beyond your competitors.
So, if you are struggling to decide which user interface design pattern is best, and how you can achieve maximum usability through implementing it, then step no further. This course will equip you with the knowledge necessary to select the most appropriate display methods and solve common design problems affecting existing user interfaces.
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Is This Course Right for You?
This is a beginner-level course suitable for newcomers to user interface design and experienced practitioners alike:
- UX and UI designers interested in using the right UI design patterns to create optimal product designs
- Project managers keen on incorporating tried and tested UI design patterns to speed up and optimize the product development process
- Software engineers looking to boost their skill sets and gain a foundational understanding of user interface design
- Entrepreneurs who want to make sure their products have the appropriate user interface for maximum success
- Newcomers to design who are considering making a switch to UX or UI design
Courses in the Interaction Design
Foundation are designed to contain comprehensive, evidence-based content, while
ensuring that the learning curve is never too steep. All participants will have
the opportunity to share ideas, seek help with tests, and enjoy the social
aspects afforded by our open and friendly forum.
Learn and Work with a Global Team of Designers
You’ll join a global community and work together to improve your skills and career opportunities. Connect with helpful peers and make friends with like-minded individuals as you push deeper into the exciting and booming industry of design.
Lessons in This Course
- Each week, one lesson becomes available.
- There’s no time limit to finish a course. Lessons have no deadlines.
- Estimated learning time: 18 hours 12 mins spread over 7 weeks.
Lesson 0: Welcome and Introduction
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0.1: Welcome (11 mins)
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0.2: An introduction to courses from the Interaction Design Foundation (37 mins)
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0.3: Let our community help you (1 min)
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0.4: How to Earn Your Course Certificate (16 mins)
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0.5: Meet your peers online in our discussion forums (6 mins)
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0.6: Meet and learn from design professionals at an upcoming meet-up (1 min)
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0.7: Gain Timeless Knowledge Through Courses From the Interaction Design Foundation (21 mins)
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0.8: Mandatory vs. Optional Lesson Items (7 mins)
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0.9: A Mix Between Video-Based and Text-Based Lesson Content (8 mins)
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0.10: Discussion (9 mins)
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0.11: Congratulations and Recap (37 mins)
Lesson 1: Implementing Page Structure
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1.1: Welcome and Introduction (6 mins)
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1.2: Add Structure to Your Designs with Visual Frameworks (1 hour 1 min)
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1.3: Discussion Exercise to Draw on the Knowledge You Already Have (7 mins)
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1.4: Center Stage – Help the User Focus on What’s Important (24 mins)
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1.5: How to Use Movable Pieces to Support Multitasking (21 mins)
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1.6: Help Users Skim Contents with Titled Sections (20 mins)
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1.7: How to Use Responsive Enabling to Simplify Tasks (21 mins)
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1.8: Discussion Forum (9 mins)
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1.9: Congratulations and Recap (36 mins)
Lesson 2: Organizing Content for the Best Results
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2.1: Welcome and Introduction (6 mins)
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2.2: How to Implement Slideshows to Grab the User’s Attention (34 mins)
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2.3: Two-Panel Selectors for Easy Access of Content (25 mins)
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2.4: Search for Items with Scrolling Lists, Archive Lists or List Inlays (23 mins)
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2.5: Display Contents the Classic Way with Dropdown Menus (37 mins)
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2.6: Embrace the Mental Models of Users by Implementing Tabs (30 mins)
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2.7: Split the Contents of a Website with the Pagination Design Pattern (49 mins)
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2.8: Exercise to Use Your New Knowledge in a Case Study (7 mins)
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2.9: Discussion Forum (9 mins)
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2.10: Congratulations and Recap (6 mins)
Lesson 3: Affording Fluid Navigation
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3.1: Welcome and Introduction (6 mins)
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3.2: Implement Global Navigation to Improve Website Usability (28 mins)
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3.3: Help Users Retrace Their Steps with Breadcrumbs (21 mins)
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3.4: How to Apply Search Boxes to Increase Efficiency (27 mins)
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3.5: Take Advantage of Essential Keywords with Tag Clouds (26 mins)
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3.6: Design Patterns for Fluid Navigation – How to Use Inline Linking (19 mins)
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3.7: How to Implement Sitemap Footers to Keep Users Going (19 mins)
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3.8: Exercise to Practice Your Fluid Navigation Design Skills (36 mins)
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3.9: Discussion Forum (8 mins)
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3.10: Congratulations and Recap (3 mins)
Lesson 4: Simplifying Data Entry
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4.1: Welcome and Introduction (6 mins)
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4.2: Warm-up Exercise to Get Your Thoughts Flowing (7 mins)
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4.3: How to Simplify Data Entry for Users with Autocomplete (26 mins)
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4.4: Giving Your Users Freedom with Editable Input Fields (52 mins)
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4.5: Increase the User’s Sense of Control with the Refined Search Design Pattern (18 mins)
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4.6: How to Implement a Forgiving Format to Accommodate Users’ Mistakes (26 mins)
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4.7: Speed up the User’s Process by Adding an Event Calendar (23 mins)
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4.8: Support Users with Small Clues in the Input Hints Design Pattern (24 mins)
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4.9: Discussion Forum (10 mins)
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4.10: Congratulations and Recap (2 mins)
Lesson 5: Social Aspects of UI Design
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5.1: Welcome and Introduction (6 mins)
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5.2: Display Achievements to Encourage Website Usage (25 mins)
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5.3: Increase Competitiveness in Users with Leader Boards (19 mins)
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5.4: Improve the User Experience by Experimenting with Language (56 mins)
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5.5: Create a Quick Overview of Opinions by Implementing Starred Reviews (24 mins)
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5.6: Increase Efficiency with the Imported Connections Design Pattern (17 mins)
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5.7: Use Sign-in Reminders to Support Extended Functionalities (22 mins)
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5.8: Attract Users’ Attention with Update Alerts (20 mins)
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5.9: Cool Down with this Exercise on Social Aspects (7 mins)
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5.10: Discussion Forum (9 mins)
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5.11: Congratulations and Recap (3 mins)
Lesson 6: Dark Patterns
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6.1: Welcome and Introduction (6 mins)
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6.2: Coercing, Manipulating and Tricking Users with Dark Patterns (25 mins)
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6.3: Increase Revenues by Prioritizing Advertisements (17 mins)
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6.4: Harvest Users’ Information with Forced Registration (17 mins)
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6.5: Using Color to Confuse and to Prevent Unwanted Actions (48 mins)
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6.6: Exercise to Question Your Integrity as a Designer (5 mins)
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6.7: How to Get Users’ Agreement with the Opt-in/Opt-out Dance (18 mins)
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6.8: Getting Users’ Long-Term Commitment with a Monthly Charge (25 mins)
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6.9: How Designers Sneak Products into Users’ Shopping Baskets (21 mins)
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6.10: Reduce the Likelihood of Rejection with Implied Consent (22 mins)
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6.11: Discussion Forum (9 mins)
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6.12: Congratulations and Recap (2 mins)
Lesson 7: The Complete User Interface
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7.1: Welcome and Introduction (7 mins)
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7.2: Analyzing the YouTube Website on Design Pattern Use (34 mins)
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7.3: Exercise to Understand the Design Patterns of Facebook (35 mins)
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7.4: Walkthrough of the Wikipedia Website to Uncover Its Design Patterns (8 mins)
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7.5: Analysis of Design Pattern Use in the EBay Website (8 mins)
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7.6: Learning from One of the Most Popular Websites in the World – Twitter (7 mins)
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7.7: Discussion Forum (8 mins)
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7.8: Congratulations and Recap (3 mins)
Lesson 8: Course Certificate, Final Networking, and Course Wrap-up
Learning Paths
This course is part of 4 learning paths:
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UX Designer Learning PathBecome a UX Designer through 12 courses in 4 parts
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Interaction Designer Learning PathBecome a Interaction Designer through 11 courses in 4 parts
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Visual Designer Learning PathBecome a Visual Designer through 10 courses in 4 parts
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UI Designer Learning PathBecome a UI Designer through 10 courses in 4 parts
How Others Have Benefited
Nicolas Leclair, Canada
“It's nice to put words and explanation on pattern that we use daily, and that are habits. Using them and having to decide which one to offer to a user are two different things, like driving a car, and building a car. I feel that I am learning to build the car.”
Fausto Albamonte, United States
“The knowledge acquired from the course is something that I'm currently implementing daily in my job, and is going to be the base to build on, as I'm preparing to take more courses with the Interaction Design Foundation. I'm happy to say that I truly enjoyed the course and learnt a lot from it. Interacting with other classmates, sharing ideas and receiving constructive feedback was another positive aspect of this course.”
Gideon Cohen, Canada
“I really liked the section on Perspective Writing. Overall, this is good material that helps orient the nascent interaction designer in the terminology and tools of the trade.”
How It Works
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Take lessons by industry experts
Lessons are self-paced so you’ll never be late for class or miss a deadline.
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Get a Course Certificate
Your answers are graded by experts, not machines. Get an industry-recognized Course Certificate to prove your skills.
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Advance your career
Use your new skills in your existing job or to get a new job in UX design. Tap into our community to help you.
Start Advancing Your Career Now
Join us to take “UI Design Patterns for Successful Software”. Take other courses at no additional cost. Make a concrete step forward in your career path today.
Advance my career nowFrequently Asked Questions
When I finish a course, do I have to pay extra to get my certificate?
Can I take more than one course at a time?
With a Student membership, you can take a maximum of two courses at the same time. You can still take as many courses as you would like – free of extra charges – just as long as you finish or drop them so that you don’t have more than two ongoing courses.
I missed the enrollment, and now the course is closed. What can I do?
Don't worry if you missed the course. We will re-run it shortly. One of the reasons we continually open and close courses is in order to control the classroom size.
Networking is a large part of our value proposition, so we want just the right number of people inside the courses. That is also why we display the "XX % percent booked" on our course icons.
Do I have to be online at an exact time to study?
No. You can set your own study schedule. There are no "live sessions" since we have members from all timezones around the world. We are a truly global community.
Thus, once you are enrolled, you can take all the time to complete a given course. Every "classroom" in each course will never close, so you’ll have permanent access to your classmates and your course material (as well as your own answers).
Will I receive a Course Certificate?
Yes. You will get a digital industry-recognized course certificate every time you complete a course. Certificates never expire and can be saved as a .jpg file, so it's easy to be shared. Also, there is no limit to how many certificates you can earn during your membership.
You can see an example of a Course Certificate at the bottom of the Course Catalogue.
I have answered questions in a lesson; when will they be marked/graded?
I have updated my name, but my course certificate is not updated — how can I change it?
I have started my course later than the specified date, are my answers still going to be marked?
Sure! We will be marking all your answers for as long as you are an active member.
How are courses graded?
For how long will I have access to the course materials?
You will have access to the course materials for the entire duration of your membership. So, if you pay for a one-year membership, you will have access for one year. Renewing your membership for a second year means you will have access to one more year, and so on.
New lessons are starting before I have completed the previous lesson(s). Am I going to be locked out of these unfinished lessons?
No, you will not be locked out of any lesson or course. You will have access to all course materials throughout your membership, so there is no pressure to keep at the same pace as the specified lesson release dates.
All we recommend is that you try to stick to the same schedule as other participants. The reason is they may have moved on to other lessons, thereby meaning you could miss out on the social aspects of the course(s).
Do I have a specific date to award my certificates?
No, you can generate your certificate as soon as you score at least 70% of the total course points.
When will I receive my Course Certificate?
Course certificates will be given to participants when they have scored more than 70% or more of the total course points. For example, if a course contains ten lessons each with ten questions, you will receive a course certificate when the instructor has awarded you at least 70 points (70% of the total course points).
There is no specified time that certificates will be awarded — instead, they are given to participants as and when they have answered all questions, even if this is long after the official end date.
How do I add my Certificate to my LinkedIn profile?
- Log in to your LinkedIn account, then go to your profile.
- On the right, in the Add profile section dropdown, choose Background and then select the + next to Licenses & Certifications.
3. In the following fields add:
- Name – Course name
- Issuing organization – The Interaction Design Foundation
- Check the field “This credential does not expire”
- Issue date - Input the date written on your certificate (e.g., May 2021)
- Credential ID – Your membership ID number (it's written on your certificate)
- Credential URL: Input the certificate URL provided on your course page
4. Click the Save button.
Congratulate yourself! Earning the certificate is a great accomplishment and now you can share it with the world!
How do I add the Interaction Design Foundation Membership Certificate to my LinkedIn Profile?
- Log in to your LinkedIn account, then go to your profile.
- Bellow your profile description,in the Add profile section dropdown, choose Background and then select the + next to Licenses & Certifications.
3. In the following fields add:
- Name – Membership Certificate
- Issuing organization – The Interaction Design Foundation
- Check the field “This credential does not expire”
- Issue date - Input the date when you joined our community (e.g., May 2019)
- Credential ID – Your membership ID number (it's written on your certificate)
- Credential URL: Input the certificate URL provided on your profile page
4. Click the Save button.
How much will I have to pay for the courses?
After you pay for your membership, you can take as many courses as you want with no additional costs. There are no further charges on top of the membership fee.
Do you provide mostly beginners' or more advanced courses?
How long does it take to complete a course?
You will need approximately 5-8 hours to complete one lesson. Each course has between 3 and 16 lessons.
Once enrolled in a course, you will gain access to a new lesson each week, which you are free to complete without any deadlines and no end date, either.