Capstone Project: Applying UI/UX Design in the Real World

IBM via Coursera

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Details

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Provider

Coursera
Pricing

Paid Course
Languages

English
Certificate

Paid Certificate Available
Duration & workload

17 hours 19 minutes
Sessions

On-Demand
Subtitles

English

Found in

Part of

Overview

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Step into the role of a UI/UX designer and bring your ideas to life through a real-world UI/UX challenge. In this hands-on capstone course, you’ll apply your skills to the entire design thinking process from start to finish. You’ll review how to conduct user research, create wireframes and interactive prototypes in Figma, and design polished, high-fidelity interfaces that are accessible, scalable, and ready for developer handoff. By the end, you'll have a project that showcases your ability to plan and execute a complete UX assignment using industry-standard tools and techniques. You'll have demonstrable experience of building user flows, testing your designs with users, and making iterative improvements based on feedback. Plus, you'll know how to package your work into a compelling case study, create a strong UX resume, and build a job-ready portfolio that speaks to hiring managers and clients alike. This capstone course is your opportunity to design an e-commerce platform from the ground up and showcase your skills to employers and team members. If you’re ready to step into a UX role, pitch to clients, or take the next big leap in your design career, enroll today!

Syllabus

Getting Started with the Capstone Project

In this module, you will get oriented with the capstone project’s structure, tools, and expectations. You’ll explore how the project mirrors a real-world UI/UX workflow, following the phases of the design thinking process: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test, and deliver. You’ll review a detailed project brief, understand required deliverables, and begin planning your approach. This foundational setup ensures you’re prepared to navigate each stage with clarity and purpose, using tools like Figma and Miro to document and manage your progress.

Empathize and Define

In this module, you will build foundational UX research skills by learning how to empathize with users and clearly define their needs. Through a role-play activity and guided hands-on labs, you’ll simulate user interviews and conduct a competitive analysis to gather relevant data. You’ll then synthesize this information into empathy maps, personas, and problem statements, which are critical tools for framing user challenges and design opportunities. By the end of the module, you’ll have a deep understanding of your users and a clearly defined problem to solve.

Ideate and Plan

In this module, you will transition from analyzing research insights to generating design ideas and creating a structured plan for your wireframes. You’ll learn how to brainstorm and sketch initial design concepts, build user flows, and define the information architecture of your product. By identifying and prioritizing core features and mapping success metrics, you’ll create a practical, goal-aligned design plan that lays the groundwork for effective wireframing and prototyping.

Wireframing and Prototyping

In this module, you will learn to turn your design plans into tangible wireframes and interactive prototypes. You’ll use Figma to lay out screens with thoughtful structure and hierarchy, applying layout grids and components to ensure consistency. Then, you’ll bring your wireframes to life by connecting them with interactive flows, using variants and states to simulate real user behavior. By the end of this module, you’ll have a mid-fidelity prototype ready for usability testing.

Usability Testing and Iteration

In this module, you will focus on validating your design through usability testing. You'll simulate user interactions, identify design flaws, and gather actionable feedback. You'll use structured methods such as think-aloud testing and task-based feedback. This iterative phase ensures that the product meets user expectations and is easy to navigate. Improvements based on real user behavior elevate the design’s effectiveness.

Final User Interface Design and Handoff

In this module, you’ll complete your UI design by transforming wireframes into polished high-fidelity mock-ups. You’ll apply visual styles, use Figma components and design tokens, and ensure accessibility across devices. You will also build a scalable design system that supports consistency and usability. Finally, you’ll prepare your files and documentation for developer handoff, ensuring that your design vision is clearly communicated and implementation ready.

[Bonus] Launch Your UI/UX Career and Course Wrap-up

In this final module, you’ll prepare to enter the job market with confidence. You’ll learn how to turn your capstone project into a polished portfolio case study and draft a strong UI/UX resume. You'll also explore different career paths, including freelancing, and practice interview questions using real-world scenarios. By the end of this module, you’ll have the tools and confidence to showcase your work and communicate your value to employers or clients.