UI/UX Design Learning Programme
We built this programme around actual projects. Not hypothetical case studies or portfolio padding exercises. Real work that ships to real users.
You'll spend six months designing interfaces that matter – applications people use daily, products that solve genuine problems. And you'll do it alongside designers who've been there, made the mistakes, learned what works.
Our next cohort begins September 2025. Applications open in late spring. We're keeping groups intentionally small – usually around twelve participants – because that's what allows for proper feedback and actual mentorship rather than batch processing.
How This Actually Works
Six months feels long. But design isn't something you pick up over a few weekends. It requires time to develop judgment, to understand why certain patterns succeed while others frustrate users.
We've structured the programme in phases that build on each other. Early weeks focus on fundamentals – not just theory, but the practical skills you need before tackling complex interfaces. Then we move into real project work, where you'll face the messy reality of competing priorities and technical constraints.
Most weeks include studio sessions where we review work together. Sometimes those reviews are encouraging. Sometimes they're uncomfortable. Both matter for growth.
Foundation Phase
Visual hierarchy, typography, colour theory. Layout systems that scale. User research basics that inform rather than justify predetermined solutions.
Applied Practice
Working through interaction patterns, prototyping tools, and accessibility requirements. Learning what responsive actually means beyond viewport breakpoints.
Project Immersion
Taking on substantial design challenges. Working with constraints. Presenting work and defending decisions. Iterating based on feedback and user testing.
Portfolio Development
Documenting your process and thinking. Building case studies that demonstrate capability rather than just showing pretty screens.
Finlay Osborne
Product Designer, 2024 Graduate
I came in thinking design was mostly aesthetics. Turns out it's far more about understanding problems and making thoughtful decisions under pressure. The programme didn't make me an expert overnight – that would be ridiculous – but it gave me the foundation to keep learning and the confidence to contribute meaningfully to a design team. The studio sessions were invaluable. Getting your work picked apart isn't comfortable, but it's necessary if you want to improve.
What You'll Actually Learn
Visual Design Principles
- Typography systems that work across platforms
- Colour theory applied to interface design
- Grid systems and spatial relationships
- Creating visual hierarchy that guides users
Interaction Design
- Common UI patterns and when to use them
- Microinteractions that enhance usability
- Animation principles for interfaces
- Prototyping tools and techniques
User Research Methods
- Conducting useful user interviews
- Usability testing on realistic budgets
- Interpreting feedback without bias
- Rapid validation techniques
Design Systems
- Building component libraries
- Documentation that teams actually use
- Maintaining consistency at scale
- Working with development teams
Accessibility Standards
- WCAG compliance requirements
- Designing for screen readers
- Keyboard navigation patterns
- Colour contrast and text legibility
Professional Practice
- Presenting design work effectively
- Collaborating with stakeholders
- Managing design projects
- Building your design portfolio
Learning From Experience
Rhiannon leads the programme. She's spent over a decade designing interfaces for applications ranging from healthcare platforms to financial tools. Before that, she made plenty of design mistakes – the kind that ship to production and teach you lessons textbooks can't.
She's joined by working designers who contribute expertise in specific areas. People who understand current tools and workflows because they use them daily. Not academics theorising about design, but practitioners who know what it's like to balance user needs with business constraints.
You'll also work occasionally with developers who can explain the technical implications of your design decisions. Understanding those constraints early prevents frustration later.
- Over 10 years in product design roles across various sectors
- Regular contributor to design publications and conferences
- Experience leading design teams at growing companies
- Active involvement in UK design community events
Ready to Start Learning?
Our September 2025 cohort opens for applications in May. We'll review submissions on a rolling basis, so applying earlier gives you more flexibility with timing.
We're looking for people genuinely interested in design – not just those chasing a career change for its own sake. Some background in creative work helps, but we've had successful participants from teaching, engineering, and various other fields.
Application Period: May through July 2025
Programme Start: 15 September 2025
Programme End: March 2026
If you have questions before applying, reach out. We'd rather you contact us than submit an application you're uncertain about.
Get in Touch About Applications