Review of learning design at IxDF
I went to IxDF to learn new things, but I ended up with a perspective change. I always considered myself to have 0 artistic skills. However, I was curious how it all works and why some things are successful while others are not. After a few courses at IxDF, I understood what I wanted but also learned that you do not need to be an artist to design things that people will love.
First of all, imagine you are just a curious person that wants to learn more. You would wonder if you will understand all the terminology and topics discussed, right? Well, IxDF designed their courses so that will not be a problem. They explain things in an easy to understand language, they link to definitions and further resources, they interlink to courses that will teach you further on that specific topic. All that is to say: they got it covered!
Second, let me tell you about the courses with Don Norman! Those two courses — Design for a Better World with Don Norman and Design for the 21st Century with Don Norman — go so much beyond user interfaces. They talk about designs that are meant to change the world. They challenge designers to design the change we want to see in the world. They push you to question things and come up with solutions that make the world a better place, step by step. That is inspiring!
Third, let me tell you about some introductory courses, such as Design Thinking: The Ultimate Guide, User Experience: The Beginner’s Guide, Journey Mapping, etc. These courses are meant to make you understand the thinking behind the way designers should design. They go from basic introductory things to setting goals and expectations for yourself. They introduce design thinking which enables you to design centred on humanity. More than that, they challenge you to ask yourself how you can make a dent in the universe through design. These courses are not only encouraging, but also the perfect place to start your design journey.
Fourth, how about something more advanced, like Accessibility: How to Design for All?, Emotional Design — How to Make Products People Love?, UX Management: Strategy and Tactics, etc. ? As a beginner in this field, advanced courses can be really challenging. However, IxDF thought of this too and came up with various solutions such as; a definitions page, interlinks & further resources, a forum for each course after each lesson where you can ask questions, etc. That means that you can take an advanced course without prior experience or knowledge in the field and still be able to do well in the course.
Lastly, let me tell you why you do not need to be an artist to be a successful designer! On one hand, IxDF focuses on design thinking. Every problem is approached systematically to reach various solutions. Then, suggested solutions are tested and constantly improved. On the other hand, it is not about knowing the names of all the colours or drawing pretty shapes! It is about having guidelines with what works best in which situation. It is about asking the users and designing for them. It is about a mindset that understands what a successful design needs and is able to transform these needs into steps to be climbed towards a better design. Now, I am confident that my artistic skills can be improved but they are not a roadblock in any designer’s path.
It takes time and effort to complete a course. Yet, the time and effort I invested in the courses at IxDF were some of the best spent! Shall I tell you a secret? I am not gonna wait to be a UX designer to apply the things I learnt. The knowledge gained is way too good to not use it right away. It is helpful in so many parts of life, from leading my team to raising children.