UX Research and Information Architecture

Overview

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Unlock job-ready UX/UI design skills and experience in UX research and information architecture (IA). This course helps aspiring design professionals and web developers gain the in-demand UX research and IA skills to design user-centered digital products. During the course, you’ll build a solid foundation in UX research and learn how it fits into the digital product lifecycle. You’ll explore UX research methods and apply them to conducting user interviews and surveys using Google Docs and Google Forms. You’ll learn to transform user data into actionable insights using affinity mapping. Plus, you’ll analyze data to create user personas and use a prioritization matrix to turn user needs into features. Additionally, you’ll explore IA—a pillar of building efficient navigation and content organization—using card sorting and tree testing. Then, you’ll apply all your new skills in a final project, a great real-world-inspired scenario that showcases your experience of implementing UX research and IA that you can highlight in interviews. If you’re keen to add practical experience in UX research and IA to your portfolio that employers look for, enroll today!

Syllabus

Foundations of UX Research

This module introduces the core concepts of UX research and its role in shaping product decisions. You will learn how to define research goals, form hypotheses, and distinguish between UX research and UX design. The module also explores qualitative and quantitative research methods and when to apply them across the product lifecycle. Additionally, you will gain hands-on experience designing and conducting user interviews and surveys using tools such as Google Forms.

From Research to Insights

This module focuses on transforming raw research data into meaningful insights that inform product decisions. You will learn how to analyze qualitative data using affinity mapping and evaluate open-ended responses. The module also covers creating user personas, identifying user needs, and translating research findings into actionable features. Additionally, you will explore prioritization techniques and learn how to communicate insights and recommendations effectively.

Designing Information Architecture

This module explores how to design intuitive and user-friendly information architecture for digital products. You will learn core IA concepts and compare flat and hierarchical structures for organizing content. The module also introduces methods such as card sorting and tree testing to design and validate navigation systems. By the end of the module, you will be able to create and refine sitemaps that improve usability and align with user mental models.

Assessment and Final Project

This module provides an opportunity to apply all UX research and information architecture concepts through a complete case study. You will conduct research, synthesize insights, define features, and design a sitemap for a selected product idea. The module also includes a final assessment to evaluate your understanding. By the end, you will produce a polished, portfolio-ready UX project.