Course Description: Website + App Design
In today’s digital-first world, websites and mobile apps are the front doors of brands, businesses, and media platforms. This course equips students with the creative and technical skills to design functional, user-friendly, and visually stunning websites and mobile applications.
Students will gain hands-on training in UI/UX design principles, responsive layouts, prototyping, and front-end design tools, while also exploring user research, interaction design, and digital branding. The course emphasizes the balance between aesthetic appeal and practical usability, ensuring that every design communicates effectively, engages users, and delivers seamless digital experiences.
Working with industry-standard tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Photoshop, and WordPress, students will learn to design and prototype websites and mobile apps for different audiences and industries. By the end of the course, participants will have built a portfolio of real-world projects, including websites, mobile app prototypes, and digital brand identities, preparing them for careers as web designers, UI/UX designers, product designers, or freelancers.
Who Should Enroll:
- Beginners aspiring to become professional designers.
- Entrepreneurs and creatives looking to build websites/apps for their businesses.
- Graphic designers and media professionals expanding into digital product design.
- Content creators and developers who want to design user-friendly experiences.
Course Outline: Website + App Design
Module 1: Introduction to Digital Design
- The role of websites and apps in the digital economy
- Key differences between website design and app design
- Understanding the designer’s role in development teams
- Overview of design career paths
Module 2: Principles of UI/UX Design
- User Interface (UI) vs. User Experience (UX)
- Elements of effective design (color, typography, imagery, hierarchy)
- Accessibility and inclusive design
- User-centered design principles
Module 3: Tools of the Trade
- Introduction to Figma, Adobe XD, and Sketch
- Using Photoshop/Illustrator for web and app graphics
- Wireframing tools and prototyping basics
- Responsive design frameworks
Module 4: Website Design Fundamentals
- Layout structures (grid systems, headers, footers, navigation)
- Responsive design for desktop, tablet, and mobile
- Designing for WordPress and CMS platforms
- Basics of HTML, CSS, and design handoff to developers
Module 5: App Design Fundamentals
- Mobile-first design thinking
- Designing for iOS vs. Android platforms
- App navigation patterns (tab bars, side menus, gestures)
- Prototyping user flows and micro-interactions
Module 6: Wireframing & Prototyping
- Low-fidelity vs. high-fidelity wireframes
- Creating interactive prototypes
- Usability testing and feedback loops
- Tools: Figma/Adobe XD advanced prototyping
Module 7: Branding & Visual Identity in Digital Products
- Designing with brand guidelines
- Custom icons, illustrations, and digital assets
- Color psychology for web/app engagement
- Case studies of strong digital branding
Module 8: Web & App Integration with Content
- Embedding multimedia (video, animation, graphics)
- Designing for e-commerce and payment systems
- Social media integration in web/app design
- SEO and design impact on discoverability
Module 9: Advanced Concepts in Digital Design
- Introduction to motion design and micro-animations
- Progressive web apps (PWAs) and cross-platform design
- Introduction to design systems and component libraries
- Future trends: AR/VR in web and app design
Module 10: Professional Practice & Career Development
- Working with clients and developers
- Freelancing vs. agency vs. corporate design jobs
- Building a professional portfolio and case studies
- Marketing yourself as a web/app designer
Capstone Project
- Students design a fully responsive website and a mobile app prototype for a real or simulated client.
- Final portfolio presentation and professional critique session.
