Teaching for Creative Authenticity
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Troy University
Courses taught: Experiential Design · UX Design · Typography · UI Design · Graphic Design Principles & Practices · Color & Technology · (Online) Typography & Digital Tools
Troy University — College of Arts and Humanities | Troy, AL, USA
User Experience Design (ART 4450)
In-Person · Taught: Fall 2025
This course introduces students to the principles and processes of user experience (UX) design through applied research, collaboration, and prototyping. Students explore empathy-driven design thinking and gain hands-on experience with Figma to develop both individual and team-based projects that move from research to high-fidelity execution. The course emphasizes iterative design, critical reflection, collaboration and professional communication—culminating in a portfolio-ready UX case study.
Projects included: Figma Website Prototype, Figma App Team Prototype, and UX Case Study App Presentation.
Figma Website Prototype Project
Students independently design and prototype a personal website using Figma, applying the full UX process from user research to testing. The project focuses on usability, hierarchy, and accessibility, reinforcing the link between design thinking and interface functionality.
Figma App Team Prototype Project
Working in collaborative teams, students identify real-world challenges and design app-based solutions. Over the course of three phases—Research & Discovery, Strategy & Concept Development, and Prototyping & Feedback—teams conduct interviews, build personas, map user journeys, and deliver a high-fidelity Figma prototype supported by branding, user flows, and usability testing.
UX Case Study Presentation Project
Students package their work into professional case studies, including process books, stakeholder presentations, and portfolio documentation. Each case study demonstrates the complete UX lifecycle, from problem definition to refined solution, showcasing both visual polish and strategic reasoning.
Supplementary Components
Throughout the semester, students complete weekly Figma and UX assignments, peer reviews, and quizzes that reinforce theory and applied skills. Workshops emphasize ideation, accessibility, heuristics, storytelling, and presentation design—building both creative confidence and professional readiness.