Today more than ever, user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) skills have a direct and immediate impact on the ultimate success or failure of any application. As a result, the demand for UI/UX training — both for upskilling and reskilling programs — is on the rise. Specifically, three main categories of interest are leading the pack in UI/UX design: data foundations, UI/UX development tools and artificial intelligence (AI).

Laying the Foundation

Game-changing UI/UX advances are rooted in the understanding that great design principles marry left-brain and right-brain thinking. The right brain is drawn to crisp visuals, eye-pleasing colors and clean layouts. That’s the domain of UI. The left brain is orderly, logical and linear and thrives in intuitive processes. That’s where UX comes into play.

Stated simply, good UI makes you want to use a product, while good UX makes sure you have a positive experience while you’re there. Despite their distinct (yet related) functions, both UI and UX disciplines are rooted in a solid foundation of data collection, data analysis and data-driven decision-making. Gaining the ability to approach each operational and design challenge with a consistent framework can ensure vital functions, such as user research and prototype design, are conducted with a focus on collecting and synthesizing actionable data.

Selecting the Right Tools

A decade ago, applications could get away with having less-than-perfect UI/UX. But as tech became more integrated into our day-to-day lives, the tolerance level for clunky interfaces and awkward processes dropped. Any app with a steep learning curve was soon discarded in favor of those that were clean, simple and intuitive.

As a great user experience became a prerequisite for success, a new category of applications was created to help design professionals test, observe and refine their work. However, each tool has plusses and minuses, and each is best suited for different environments, circumstances and test cases.

Tools such as Sketch, Adobe XD and Figma are some of the most popular applications available, so hands-on training with each has become a vital part of any UI/UX course. Visualizing workflows, mocking-up interfaces and creating entire test environments using these tools can help information technology (IT) technicians collaborate with end-users, keep developers in the loop and ensure everyone is aligned, informed and engaged.

AI and the Future of UI/UX

Although commercially-available AI is a relatively new arrival on the tech tool scene, it has already grabbed its fair share of headlines — and with good reason. Not since the advent of mobile computing has an innovation created more disruption — or more opportunity — in the marketplace.

Although the role of AI in UI/UX is still being authored, its ability to analyze large volumes of data and create personalized user experiences can introduce new levels of efficiency and innovation into the process. For example, AI tools can be leveraged to automatically generate design variations based on user feedback and collect data based on those designs. This can empower designers and developers to focus more energy on other aspects of the application and less time on repetitive work.

Another key aspect of AI in UI/UX design is how different AI tools can be incorporated to enhance the end-user experience. Even relatively modest development efforts can now leverage intelligent chatbots, generative design capabilities, voice interfaces, and other advanced functions. Learning to develop and refine prompts and create conversational user interfaces effectively can accelerate and improve the process.

Bringing It Together: The Ideal Learning Experience

Since UI/UX design is a discipline that represents the point where people and technology intersect in a very real and meaningful way, the best way to acquire new skills in this area comes via a similar hybrid approach.

Instructor-led training (ILT) has proven to be a highly effective way for IT techs to acquire new skills and stay engaged throughout the process. Video-based courses that are entirely self-paced can be accessed anywhere, at any time, making it convenient for learners.

Instructors in such programs are working UI/UX professionals who bring the curricula to life by infusing “real world” examples and use cases into learning. Furthermore, instructors and training facilitators also can also coach learners through any rough patches and help them to identify how and where to apply new skills on the job.

Cohort-based learning also represents an excellent way for IT techs to connect with like-minded professionals. In the case of corporate learning initiatives, it can give organizations an opportunity to “level up” entire teams at once. This is particularly effective when new and disruptive technologies like AI arise, and companies must quickly add skills and capabilities across the board.

Finally, requiring the completion of a “portfolio project” — a project that allows each IT technician to showcase their work — not only can ensure that they’ve mastered UI/UX skills but also that they can apply these skills within their day-to-day role. A mentor can lend support as techs work on projects. Techs can also present their work to others within their cohort as a condition of course completion. This approach not only can ensure skills mastery but add the bonus of helping IT techs sharpen soft skills by sharing insights, answering questions and gaining consensus based on their recommendations.

Moving Ahead in Today’s Digital Era

As AI becomes a more dominant force in UI/UX design — and in our lives in general — it’s also important for teams and team leaders to become aware of the ethical issues surrounding AI. Understanding the data sets fueling AI decision-making, how user prompts are utilized and stored and how to avoid unconscious bias in the development and design process are all topics to be explored for IT and technical training.

But no matter how advanced AI becomes or how much it changes the nature of the UI/UX function, nothing will replace technicians and their ability to understand the complexities and subtleties of how humans interact with technology.