At my agency, our graphic designer also handles web design, but their experience is mainly in branding, brochures, and other print work. They're less familiar with web design principles, so wireframes and prototypes often take longer because I have to leave extensive notes in Figma about feasibility, accessibility, redundant elements, and responsive behavior. What courses or certifications would help them build a stronger foundation in web UI/UX rules and best practices?
3 Answers
It may help to separate the learning goals. A UX fundamentals course can cover wireframing, information hierarchy, interaction patterns, and user flows, while an accessibility course handles WCAG requirements. A short HTML/CSS overview would then give them enough implementation awareness to avoid designs that are redundant or impractical, without requiring them to become a developer.
Have them build a very small page with basic HTML and CSS if their schedule allows it. Even a simple landing page can reveal why certain layouts are difficult to make responsive, why fixed-width designs break, and how flexbox and grid affect the final implementation. The hands-on constraints tend to make web design principles stick.
A good starting point would be a course focused on WCAG and accessible design. It should cover keyboard navigation, color contrast, focus states, form labeling, semantic structure, and designing for different users. Accessibility knowledge will make the feedback much more practical than simply learning visual design rules.
That sounds especially useful. A dedicated accessibility course may be more realistic for them right now than asking them to learn front-end development from scratch.
I like the idea, although they don’t currently know HTML or CSS, so finding time for a build may be difficult. It could be a useful follow-up after they get the basics down.