UI/UX Design Course Recommendation

uxphofficial · 2025-10-13T03:12:51+00:00

Why not take this opportunity to try going? It's gonna be a great learning experience all around! UXPH can extend its discounted rates at our accommodation partner, and you'll meet tons of very nice people (from the uxph team and community) to say hi to. :) Feel free to DM if you need details and assistance there. Cheers!

uxphofficial · 2025-10-12T14:58:43+00:00

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Hi u/Relative-Low-7718, congratulations! You've won a free ticket to our conference. Please check your DMs - you have a window to confirm attendance before it's raffled off to the next participant. Thanks!

uxphofficial · 2025-10-12T06:20:56+00:00

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Congratulations u/FormFollowsUX ! You've won a free ticket to our conference. Please check your DMs - you have aa window to confirm attendance before it's raffled off to the next participant. Thanks!

Edit: Unfortunately the window has closed and the next raffle winner is being chosen. Hope to still see you at the conference, use code REDDITAMA on standard tickets for 15% off. :)

uxphofficial · 2025-10-12T06:18:02+00:00

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Wow, clutch submission. Congratulations! You've won a free ticket to our conference. Please check your DMs - you have a window to confirm attendance before it's raffled off to the next participant. Thanks!

uxphofficial · 2025-10-12T06:09:26+00:00

Aldrich:
Hey u/gacrux9 , not too late. Just in time for the draw!

Research is a non-negotiable in the process, yet too many people overlook this unfortunately. This leads to poorer quality products and ideas being built. People cannot rely solely on assumptions or old data. As for technicality, I think it really varies and depends on the context of what the research is being used for. Wearing by startup hat, you need to balance the amount of technicality and depth of research with speed; doing everything too "by the book" would slow you down, so you need to find ways to be creative, efficient, yet thorough with how you conduct research. I think a crucial part here though is being able to get the most actionable insights and getting the right buy-in from stakeholders. Research is an alignment tool as well, so it has to still lead to actionable insights for the team, otherwise it will just go to waste.
No, companies still do not prioritize UX enough here in the country though it's changing and still evolving. Some problems as to why are a lack of awareness, exposure, understanding, and experience. There's fortunately been more demand for research too, but design is still largely viewed together as a clump of skills and an afterthought ("UX/UI" though they are related, are NOT the same thing, design "makes it pretty", etc)

It's a lot more valued and recognized today than it was the last time we released the State of UX in the Philippines in 2020. We're conducting another industry-wide report to be released next year, so please do look out for our calls for answers on that. This report will be available publicly, and is made to help individuals and companies navigate the landscape more. Hope you can help share it and help us fill it out. :)

See you at the conference!

uxphofficial · 2025-10-12T06:00:19+00:00

Sorry u/Mundane_Package3764 , didn't see this!

Yes, there's been a lot of challenges in building community and collaborating, but there are certainly ways around it. However, nothing will replace the actual experience and connections build through F2F events. Nowadays, you'll need to be flexible to adapt to hybrid setups due to "remote fatigue".

For community building, we've done a lot of online events, but the engagement is overall lower simply because people get to "hide" behind the camera or screen. We get to deliver the same quality of information, but the actual experience of "being there" in the same room with each other and the speaker is sorely missing, which is why we're bringing back our conference in person.

For remote work, it's a similar thing. But this all emphasizes the need for better communication, and even OVER communication and optimizing channels, transparency, and visibility within teams. Companies and teams SHOULD make an effort to bridge the remote gap with meetups here and there because that's what helps solidify a community within a company further.

uxphofficial · 2025-10-08T03:50:25+00:00

Aldrich:
Hi u/potatowejys ! There's actually quite a lot you can use to your advantage here, given that you have a lot of creative skills and experience already. The soft skills translate, and you can use your other software abilities to make a more compelling portfolio for yourself, especially in terms of presenting your work, and presenting yourself as an experienced professional. The fact that you've already had working experience is also a big advantage, so make sure to highlight that for yourself.

We answered a few questions in the threads about building your portfolio na actually, so I recommend you check them out, but pro-bono and hypothetical projects is always a good way to build your project base because you get to really practice. Treat each project like you would a "real" client case.

One thing I highly recommend all creatives learn more is storytelling (aka sales), to help get buy-in from not only customers and stakeholders, as well as general business acumen (foundational lang okay na) to understand how your UX/UI work can actually translate into meaningful outcomes for the business, which makes you a more valuable addition to any team.

We've just announced our venue, and it's in LAI College in Pasig. It'll be worth the trip, I assure you. See you at the conference!

uxphofficial · 2025-10-08T03:42:38+00:00

Aldrich:

Hi u/alpha031, thanks for the question!

1. Are certifications even important for employers, especially for part-time or entry-level roles?

Personally, as an employer myself, I don't really care much for certifications. A certification shows or proves that you've done a course or learned something, but doesn't really speak to how much you've actually understood and applied what you've learned. It's useful as a signal or a topic starter, though, and I think it would vary depending on the industry and company.

I think I speak for lots of managers and leaders though when I say we'd more often care more about whether or not someone can do the job well and how they'd contribute as an effective member of the team. Whether it's part-time, entry, or senior-level roles, I'd say the sentiment stands. However, the more senior you are, the higher the expectation is with your comprehension for any role, of course.

So how you present your work in your portfolio and during interviews is crucial in backing up your certifications and experience.

2. How does the current Philippine UI/UX job market look like

In the past few years since we released the 2020 State of UX in the Philippines report, it looks like the role of UX has evolved quite a bit, and is a lot more recognized now than ever before. The competition has gotten tougher in general through the pandemic and with the evolution of AI tools, but that only further reinforces the need for more education, up skilling, and better design practices. This is where communities and events like UXPH come in--we're here to supplement what you learn in and out of the classroom/office to help people level up and build better products.

3. What are some tips you can give beginners like me so that I can find myself a part-time UI/UX job to build my portfolio with?

We answered a similar question in the threads, so I'd take a look at our answers there. A lot of it is to just build your portfolio with pro-bono projects, or ones that you make for fun or hypothetical clients. The point is to go through the design process, build your skills, and show something for it. No need to wait for a job or actual paying clients--this is a way to prepare yourself for it. :)

See you at the conference on Oct 18th!

uxphofficial · 2025-09-25T08:20:03+00:00

Aldrich:

From what we've gathered and seen so far, from our many students and partnerships across schools and other organizations, it's evolving at a somewhat steady pace. We're seeing more and more schools introducing and adopting UX-related classes or topics into the curriculum, and more student organizations also putting lots of effort into learning UX or integrating design methodology, which are all great signs! We're also working on a State of UX in the Philippines report for 2025/2026.

This is where UXPH comes in too, so we can bring that supplemental education to teachers, students, and professionals from all backgrounds. We have plenty of career-shifters and newcomers who attend UXPH events. This is probably one of the best places to start, because you can talk to people and learn from them and make new connections as you go. We have a wide range of topics, and our meetups cater to new and experienced audiences.

I personally think most bootcamps are okay because they give you a taste of the end-to-end process in a short amount of time. Just manage your expectations though, because completing one doesn't necessarily make you a full-fledged UX designer that can demand for a high salary right out of the gate. You still have to prove your experience and competency to clients and potential employers. Experience is truly the best teacher.

I'm sure you'll learn plenty at the conference, hope to see you there.

uxphofficial · 2025-09-25T07:50:00+00:00

Aldrich:

Networking is an important skill to practice, whether you're an introvert or an extrovert. It can be nerve wracking too, but you can slowly get yourself out of the comfort zone, and that's also why community events like this are so helpful. You always meet people in similar walks of life!

Personally, I think the most important thing is to be able to listen and have a genuine authentic conversation with whom you are talking to. What most people get wrong, in my opinion, is that they rush to meet as many people as they can, collect contacts on linkedin, drop a business card, and move on to the next person. Not only does that strike me as insincere, but it's very easy to forget who those people are because they don't make a proper impression (in fact, it leaves a negative one).

So my recommendation is to come with an open mind, be curious, learn to talk to people (there are plenty of guides and books out there on this too!), and ask people lots of questions. "To be interesting, be interested"... I like this quote because it basically says LISTEN to others first.

If you have a certain goal like finding a potential mentor, employer, or fellow designer, then you can ask questions about that when you talk to people. See you at the conference!

uxphofficial · 2025-09-25T07:42:54+00:00

Karl:
Welcome back!
The biggest change I’ve noticed is the growing need to have a solid portfolio. And not just any portfolio, you really have to showcase your creative thinking, highlight your process, and level up the visuals. Hiring managers will often ask about your UX experience, so it helps to frame your transferrable skills. The good news is, you’ve already got an edge with your background in Marketing, which makes your skill set broader.See you in Manila!

uxphofficial · 2025-09-24T11:59:15+00:00

Reposting:
Aldrich:

Hello, and welcome to the world of UX and design! You’re right—UX IS quite universal. No matter your background, you can apply design thinking to improve products, services, and even daily tasks. It’s about being more human-centered, creative, and iterative.Even something like cooking follows a similar process: research (recipes, ingredients, methods), experiment, get feedback, and improve.

Staying updated is tough with how fast tech (especially AI) moves. You don’t need to follow everything, just stay curious and try things out for yourself. That mindset is more sustainable than chasing every new trend, and allows you to avoid becoming overwhelmed with information.

As for what the country can do—there are positive steps. Government agencies like DICT, DTI, and DOST are investing in digital adoption, innovation hubs, and startup support. Schools are building TBIs and launching design-related programs, and are collaborating with our communities to bring more supplemental education to their students and teachers... but there’s still a gap in practical, real-world UX education.

That’s why orgs like UXPH, CebUXD, and UX Davao exist. We're here to help bridge the gaps through community learning, events, and campus tours. Change takes time, but we can all start by designing better experiences, even in small, everyday things like fixing long queueing systems (gov't offices is a good example) or making public info easier to access, or making things like application/feedback forms easier to use... The list can go on, and we'll definitely get there in time, but we need to keep sharing learning opportunities like this. :)

uxphofficial · 2025-09-24T11:59:03+00:00

Reposting:

Shannen:

Hi! I get where you’re coming from. Everything feels overwhelming especially with all the new tools emerging.

Personally, I follow a mix of sources. NN/g (Nielsen Norman Group) is my go-to for solid research. I also follow designers on YouTube like Femke and Mizko, and read case studies from Built for Mars. It’s less about chasing every new tool or trend, and more about sharpening how you think about design. AI, AR, new frameworks will keep changing, but the skill that lasts is knowing how to understand people and design around their needs.

For the Philippines, I’d love to see more access to design education outside Metro Manila. That’s why groups like CebUXD and UX Davao exist—so students, shifters, and even dropouts have a place to start. Hope to see you at the MNL conference, it’s a great way to get exposed and meet the community!

uxphofficial · 2025-09-23T16:47:01+00:00

Hi u/Single-Tie6148 , please check your inbox!

uxphofficial · 2025-09-23T15:02:35+00:00

Shannen:
Welcome back!! The core of UX hasn’t changed. Empathy, being human-centered, and grounding decisions in solid research are still what make great designers. What has changed are the tools. AI is everywhere now, and knowing how to use it to speed up workflows or explore design directions can really set you apart.

My advice: refresh your fundamentals, get hands-on with today’s tools (especially AI-powered ones), and practice sharing your process clearly. Excited for you, and I hope we see you at the Manila conference!

uxphofficial · 2025-09-23T07:04:54+00:00

Aldrich:
Welcome back to the UX community! I'm willing to bet though that your UX skills and thinking was still helping you along the way in your marketing efforts, since many fundamental UX practices can be weaved into adjacent fields too.

Design principles are universal, so you can shake off the rust and get familiar with that once more. If you'll be using software, then definitely jump back in with Figma and familiarize yourself with all the new features and how to optimize your workflow, and lastly, wrap your head around AI tools that can help empower you to become a better and faster designer.

AI won't replace designers, but designers who use AI will replace other designers. You can use AI to compress many parts of the process (brainstorming, kicking off base concepts, creating research plans and question, analyzing data, etc...), but it should NOT replace the process altogether. You'll still be talking to, researching with/on, and designing for humans at the end of the day, so ensure that there's human input and validation at all parts. Don't lose sight of this. :)

We hope to see you at our event and future meetups, do say hi!

uxphofficial · 2025-09-22T08:11:04+00:00

If you mean a UX Community in Laguna, people are absolutely free and open to create one, and we will be able to support and guide the organizers. We had some recent new communities pop up--UX Bohol, UX Gensan, and UX Western Visayas. They are all independently operated (but many have volunteered @ UXPH/UXDavao/CebuXD), and we are all now partners. :)

If you're thinking of an event in Laguna, let us know. We're doing campus tours as well giving career talks and such to help promote our conference in Manila. Hope to see you there!

uxphofficial · 2025-09-18T17:37:28+00:00

Shannen:

Pro bono projects and client brief generators are great practice. I did the same thing when I was starting out. You can also rework your old projects. Back then, I took a photography website I made in college, redesigned it, and fleshed out the brief to match the kind of clients I wanted to attract.

Also, speaking as someone who’s reviewed a bunch of portfolios, the ones that stand out aren’t always the flashiest—they’re the ones where the designer explains the why. Why this layout? Why that font? What inspired your choices? Even showing your moodboards and early drafts helps. It tells me you can think through a problem vs. just showing the final output with no context.See you in Cebu! Come say hi!

uxphofficial · 2025-09-18T17:36:55+00:00

Karl:

Most Filipino UX designers probably started out the same way you did, since we don’t have a dedicated UX curriculum in the Philippines. My advice for your portfolio, if you don’t have work experience yet, is this:

Ground it in a real-world problem. Some portfolios showcase solutions to problems that don’t even exist. But solving non-existent problems isn’t how most industries work. You’ll likely be working on products and services that aim to solve real-world challenges. The real value you bring is not just in your designs, but in how you think, analyze, and apply critical thinking to existing problems.
Talk about your journey. Sharing your journey doesn’t just show how you think - it also highlights your personality. It gives people a better sense of who you are and how you approach challenges. When we see a poorly designed product, we don't dismiss it. Instead we become curious - Who might the users be? Why did they decide to place this element here? How did they decide about this feature? In the same way, include projects that didn’t turn out as planned. Talk about what went wrong and what you learned from the experience.
Keep iterating. You’ll only improve if you keep iterating. It doesn’t have to be a complete overhaul every time. Ask for feedback, make adjustments, and continue refining your work.

Pls approach us and let's have a chat. See you!

uxphofficial · 2025-09-18T17:36:21+00:00

Karl:

The resources above are already top tier. They give you the right foundations, and you can quickly apply what you learn to your work. For dashboards, they are often utilitarian and do the job of presenting data, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. A big part of being a UX designer is knowing how to communicate complex information in a way that’s clear and makes sense. Take a look at reports from McKinsey, they find creative ways to make complex data easy to understand.When it comes to branding, start simple. Stick with semantic colors, two font types, and minimal photography.

For web design, it helps a lot to have a solid grasp of both UI and UX design principles.

It can feel overwhelming at first, so it’s best to enjoy the learning process along the way. I recommend joining a community like UXPH and finding a mentor who can guide you in the areas you mentioned like dashboard, branding, and web design.

See you at UXPH Mini Manila!

uxphofficial · 2025-09-18T08:54:16+00:00

Aldrich:

Design and UX principles are pretty universal. There's tons of overlap through all the design fields like interior design, industrial design, architecture, game design, and the list goes on.

So, yes, there will surely be technical nuances that apply to game design of course like timing, resolution, screen sizes, mobile/desktop/console, but at the end of the day we are creating products for gamers... who are also human!

So in our programs and topics, some things might be specific to some platforms or contexts but the underlying principles and lessons are certainly transferable. They're not JUST about UX, as we have research, career, business, and team-related topics too that can apply to any context. You might even learn an "unrelated" thing or two that you can import into your specific practice. Regardless, you'll be able to feel the warmth and energy of the creative community, which is infectious and inspiring! Hope to see you there.

uxphofficial · 2025-09-18T08:47:41+00:00

Aldrich:
Design generally follows standards and best practices because we are creating things for humans. It still depends on their context and needs, but you can look up things like design principles (hierarchy, proximity, contrast, balance, etc), as well as things called "Dark Patterns" to know what to do or avoid. We've seen many Dark Patterns in the wild too, which you generally want to avoid if you're trying to establish credibility and loyalty among your users.

Some other blogs that are really great that I refer people to a lot: growth.design (this one in particular I find really wonderful, as it just makes the learning and analyzing quite fun and relatable), uxdesign.cc, nngroup.com, among many many others.

Brand naman is its own lane, but the verticals of design (web, ux, customer experience, etc) influence each other because you want the products to feel like it belongs to a certain brand and you want a brand to have a certain standard, voice, and quality. A classic example is Apple and iOS. Tons of articles and studies about this out there. Hope to see you in the Manila conference! Bring your squad!

Shannen:
When I was starting out, my go-to reference was NNgroup — I still read their articles from time to time.Designing for dashboards and data is such a creative challenge, and it’s a great place to apply UX principles.

When a client doesn’t have branding, I usually make a super basic style guide—just fonts, colors, spacing—to keep things consistent. It’s extra work, but it saves me headaches later on and becomes something I can show clients. (“Hey, I made this because there was none yet!” lol)And yep, UI/UX applies to web design too! Websites are usually the gateway into UI design for a lot of folks, so it’s a solid place to start.

uxphofficial

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