Learn interaction design

Are you interested in creating user-friendly digital experiences? Then pursuing a career in interaction design may be a good fit for you. Learn more about what interaction design is, how to choose a learning path that works best for you, and what kinds of career options may be available to professionals with this skill set.

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Two UX/UI designers testing prototypes for a website and mobile app design. They are surrounded by sketches of user flow and design tools.

What is interaction design?

Interaction design is a field within user experience (UX) design that focuses on how you engage with various digital products, such as websites and mobile applications. As an interaction designer, you determine the best way for people to use a product through testing and refining designs to develop easy-to-use interfaces that result in user-friendly digital experiences.

Interaction design typically includes skills in areas such as:

Usability testing and research
Prototyping
Problem-solving
User-centered design
Information architecture

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Choosing the right interaction design program for you

You can select from a variety of interaction design courses and degrees to enhance your career in user experience. Many provide flexible options through online education that can work around your schedule and help you learn about human-computer interaction and human-centered design principles.

Here are a few of the main ways to learn interaction design:

Courses

Interaction design courses are available through online learning and teach fundamental knowledge of user experience testing, prototyping, and design thinking skills.

Certificates

You can earn online professional certificates in human-computer interaction or virtual reality app development that provide instruction in interaction design.

Executive education programs

Enrolling in executive education programs can help experienced professionals gain specialized interaction design skills in areas such as product development and user experience research.

Degrees

Online bachelor's degree programs in interaction design, user experience design, and psychology can provide insights into understanding human behavior and user engagement and may help you succeed in the field.

Jobs in interaction design

Working in interaction design helps you contribute to the success of various products and services. You may find interaction designer roles in web development, graphic design, or software development across several industries, including jobs at tech companies, digital agencies, and financial institutions. These positions may involve collaborating on developing mobile apps, online retail platforms, and other digital experiences.

Here are a few positions that having experience with interaction design may help you qualify for, with each role's required education as well as salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

Web developer

As a web developer, you utilize interaction design and user experience principles to create user-friendly and visually appealing websites.

Required education: Bachelor's degree in interaction design, web development, computer science, or a related field
Median annual salary (May 2023): $84,960

Graphic designer

Graphic designers utilize interaction design to enhance user-friendly interfaces and make products and websites visually appealing and easy to use.

Required education: Bachelor's degree in graphic design, interaction design, digital media design, or a related field
Median annual salary (May 2023): $58,910

Software developer

Software developers who understand interaction design principles can create more user-friendly applications by anticipating user needs and developing intuitive interfaces.

Required education: Bachelor's degree in software development, information technology, computer science, or a related field
Median annual salary (May 2023): $132,270

Learn interaction design online with edX

Are you ready to delve deeper into the world of interaction design? Then check out edX's online courses that teach user experience principles and get started today.

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Frequently asked questions about interaction design

Why should I learn interaction design?

Learning about interaction design can be beneficial since it teaches you to create easy-to-use digital products that can improve user experiences and help people achieve their goals more effectively. Honing these skills can lead to job opportunities as an interaction designer or web developer across industries such as technology or healthcare.

What's the best way to learn interaction design?

Enrolling in interactive design courses and online programs that teach user experience and user interface (UI) design concepts and principles is an excellent way to gain the necessary skills and knowledge in interactive design.

How long does it take to learn interaction design?

You can complete interaction design courses that teach human-computer interaction principles or an introduction to user experience within a few weeks. It takes around four years to complete a bachelor's degree program in interaction design, user experience, or a related area.

How hard is it to learn interaction design?

If you have a strong interest in design principles, understand user psychology, and have a good grasp of visual design theories, you may find it relatively easy to learn and implement interaction design concepts.