User Experience Design (BDes)

Combine your interest in design, people and technology and learn how to make a person’s experience with a product, service or environment a positive one. Gather information about people and their needs, and then design solutions to help them. User experience (UX) design principles can be applied to the web, 3D and immersive environments, processes and even services. You could work in tech, finance, medicine, education, entertainment and more sectors.

Looking ahead to a career in education? Apply to the User Experience Design with Teaching Option program.

 

2022 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2022

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term) and May (spring term)    OUAC code: UUE (User Experience Design); UXT (User Experience Design with Teaching Option)

Program Details

What is User Experience Design?

User experience (UX) is a person's experience with a product, service, environment or message. Understanding people's needs and behaviours, allows them to create an ideal experience that makes everyone happy. User experience (UX) designers are trained professionals who understand how to ensure that the entire experience a person has with a product, service, environment or message is a positive one.

UX designers employ a wide range of methods for:

  • Gathering information about users and their tasks;
  • Analyzing user needs;
  • Creating design solutions;
  • Iterating designs through testing and evaluation; and
  • Measuring efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction.
UX professionals are in high demand and have been ranked among the top 10 best jobs. This is likely due to the fact that UX professionals are valuable in a wide range of industries including retail, medicine, technology, finance, education and government.

About User Experience Design at Laurier

We teach UX design from a broad perspective that includes digital solutions such as apps, as well as services, products, and spaces. Students learn both the theory and tools used by UX designers and receive hands-on training in psychology and UX research methods, design thinking, business strategy, prototyping and wireframing, usability testing, interface design, storyboarding, graphic design, web prototyping and more.

You'll start building your portfolio from your first semester in the program and work on real projects with clients from industry, government and community organizations. A full 12-month co-op opportunity is available after the student's third year.

Program Options and Courses

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Game Design and Development Specialization
  • Leadership Minor/Option
  • Media Studies Option
  • Psychology Minor
  • Computer Science Minor
  • Teaching Option 

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

First-Year Courses

  • Design Thinking
  • Digital Technology Lab
  • UX Strategy
  • UX Writing
  • Service Design
  • UX Research Methods I
  • 2.0 elective credits

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Critical Game Design
  • Introduction to Programming
  • Business in a Networked Society
  • Introduction to Psychology

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Design of Immersive Spaces
  • Graphic Design Studio III
  • UX Research Methods II
  • Interaction Design II
  • Capstone

Similar Programs

Teaching Option

Interested in a direct pathway to a Bachelor of Education?

Laurier’s undergraduate Teaching Option consists of 4.0 credits throughout your degree: five core half-credit courses offered through the Faculty of Education, plus three elective half-credit courses from an approved list. 

If you're admitted into and complete this Teaching Option pathway, you'll have earned a guaranteed spot in our Bachelor of Education (BEd) program, provided you meet all the admissions requirements, including:

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Co-op

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.

You are required to apply for admission to co-op at the beginning of third year and participate in a competitive entry process. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 months.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

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"The UX program has given me the perfect balance between designing for digital and physical spaces, allowing me to explore a wide variety of interests. The professor's here are passionate about their specialties and strive to motivate you. This gave me the opportunity to collaborate on projects and concepts both in and outside of the classroom."

Clayton Harding, User Experience Design student

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • user experience designer
  • user researcher
  • information architect
  • interaction designer
  • lead designer
  • marketing director
  • senior user experience consultant
  • startup lead
  • usability analyst
  • visual designer
  • web content designer

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Brantford Campus

The Brantford campus is woven into the downtown core of the City of Brantford and is home to more than 3,000 students. Close to great walking and biking trails, you get the best of both worlds.

There are many ways to tour our Brantford campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

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"The User Experience Design program has helped me to develop a design-focused, human-centered approach to my work and makes me look at the world in a different light. The professors are phenomenal, the course work is rich and informative, and I feel like I learn at least five new things every day!"

Tess Kibzey, User Experience Design student