Page Text: 2021 Best Web Design Bootcamps received an average 4.72 of 5 based on 5168 reviews.
What Is a Web Design Bootcamp?
From startups to large corporations, employers want web designers whose portfolios show innovative, on-trend ideas that reflect recent technology. Bootcamps are a useful way to gain these desirable skills — especially those focused on web, user experience (UX), and user interface (UI) design.
In a web design bootcamp, industry professionals teach the courses and assign real-world projects involving graphic design programs and front-end languages. Students may be instructed through short videos, interactive assignments, or live sessions, where they can ask questions or work on group projects. Web design bootcamps strive to immerse students in the field by helping them gain the appropriate skills they need to start their careers or improve their earnings potential.
The curriculum typically covers data analysis, A/B testing, user research, and usability testing. In addition, students learn how to use design tools — Photoshop , Figma , Sketch , Adobe Illustrator , and Adobe XD — as well as front-end languages, including CSS , JavaScript , and HTML .
The curriculum typically covers data analysis, A/B testing, user research, and usability testing. In addition, students learn how to use design tools — Photoshop, Figma, Sketch, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe XD — as well as front-end languages, including CSS, JavaScript, and HTML.
Each bootcamp includes a capstone project, and by the program's completion, you should have a diverse digital portfolio of projects to share with prospective employers. After you complete a web design bootcamp, you should know how to conduct usability evaluations and understand the accessibility principles behind a user-centered design. Once you are proficient in front-end languages, you'll be able to design a responsive, visually appealing website relatively quickly.
Types of Web Design Bootcamps
While the field of web and visual design remains broad, a couple of the most popular specializations are UX and UI design. Although UX and UI teams often work together to create a complete and positive experience for consumers, UX designers focus on a user's digital interactions with a company, including its services and/or products, through the website. On the other hand, UI design concerns interactivity, or the digital attractiveness and responsiveness of a user's digital experience. In other words, UX design bootcamps cover the overall experience, while UI design bootcamps are more concerned with a website's appearance and function. Some bootcamps integrate UX and UI concepts into a single bootcamp, while others offer a separate curriculum. Although UX design does not require coding, having a basic understanding may help students be successful. After graduation, understanding coding languages may also improve a UX designer's communication with developers.
UX design bootcamps cover the overall experience, while UI design bootcamps are more concerned with a website's appearance and function.
Bootcamps offer different formats with options that fit a variety of lifestyles. Programs are available online and in person with locations worldwide. Full-time immersive programs can be completed in 12 to 24 weeks on average, but some students may take up to four months even if they are studying full-time. A flex program could be more convenient if you prefer a part-time schedule to help balance your personal responsibilities. Depending on your pace, it may take six months or even a year to finish a flex program.
A more comprehensive list of bootcamp programs is available on Switchup's web design , UX , and UI pages , or you can check out the list of best online web design bootcamps .
How To Choose a UX/UI Design Bootcamp
When considering a UX/UI design bootcamp, it's essential to not only factor in the cost but also your career goals, learning styles, and preferred learning environment. For example, if you're interested in pursuing a new career in UX design, you'll want to choose a course that teaches the fundamentals of competitive analysis, interviewing, wireframing, and journey flows. On the other hand, for a job in UI, you'll want to find a program focusing on usability, web design best practices, and interaction design.
When exploring bootcamp options, you may ask the following questions:
Is the program suitable for your experience level?
Check to see if the program is open to all experience levels and whether you're expected to bring certain base skills into the program to be successful.
Does the school offer career services and job placement help?
Coding bootcamps offer varying levels of support, such as mentorship and career placement. For example, your bootcamp may offer a career coach to assist you in researching the job market after graduation. Some schools also connect you with mentors, from field experts to professionals from major employers, to encourage meaningful connections.
How have program alumni fared after graduation?
Consider a bootcamp's employability by checking the job placement rates and the average time to employment. If you have certain employers in mind, check to see if they hire from specific bootcamps. LinkedIn is an excellent resource to discover where bootcamp graduates are working.
What do student and alumni reviews say about the bootcamp?
Students' experience is another important factor to consider, but it may be helpful to look beyond favorable reviews on a bootcamp's website. Reading verified student reviews can give you a better understanding of each bootcamp and help you find the best one for you. You can also try connecting with alumni on LinkedIn and investigate their profile's career outcomes.
How Much Do UX/UI Design Bootcamps Cost?
Coding bootcamps cost around 10% of the price of a computer science degree from a top-tier university. The average annual cost for undergraduate tuition at a four-year institution was $16,647 for the 2019-2020 school year, making the total cost of a bachelor's degree around $67,000. In comparison, UX/UI design bootcamps usually cost between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on the school and program content. However, when calculating the cost of bootcamp, you should consider other expenses besides tuition. For example, you may have to purchase special software and applications, new hardware, and even prepare a workspace for home study. The cost of a bootcamp can be a significant investment, but many schools offer a free introductory course to help you decide if the program is right for you before registering.
UX/UI design bootcamps usually cost between $3,000 and $15,000, depending on the school and program content.
While bootcamps are typically not covered by federal financial aid, many schools offer alternative financing options, such as deferred tuition payment plans and ISAs . If you are a military member on active duty or a veteran, you may qualify for funding through the GI Bill . Some UX/UI design bootcamps may even offer scholarships . Others guarantee their program by simply refunding your money if you can't find a job within six months of graduating, or they may allow you to retake the course for free. Check to see if your bootcamp has partnered with a lender that offers special interest rates and flexible repayment options. If you opt for a private loan from a bank or other lender, do so with caution as interest rates and repayment plans vary.
Below are several private scholarships open to bootcamp students: