COURSE CURRICULUM

The Communication Design degree with a concentration in User-Experience (UX) Design at University of North Texas prepares students for careers focused on designing, improving, and managing digital experiences that are user-friendly, efficient, and meaningful. This program trains students to go beyond visual design and focus on how people interact with digital products, services, and systems, combining creativity with research, problem-solving, and technical design skills. Students learn to work in collaborative environments where they engage in user research, information architecture, interface design, prototyping, and usability testing to create effective and accessible digital experiences. Faculty members bring real-world industry experience, having worked as user experience researchers, graphic designers, and creative or art directors at leading design and advertising firms, which helps students gain practical insight into professional design practices. The program has a strong record of student achievement, with scholarships and awards earned in competitions such as the Graphis New Talent Competition, the Dallas Society of Visual Communications National Student Show, and the American Advertising Awards, reflecting the high quality of student work. Students also benefit from a Living-Learning Community that brings together art majors on campus, encouraging collaboration, peer support, and creative development. The College of Visual Arts and Design is recognized as one of the most comprehensive visual arts schools in the United States and among the best in the Southwest, offering advanced studios, workshops, fabrication labs, and visual resources that support hands-on learning and innovation. Strong industry connections allow students to pursue internships with design studios in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, gaining valuable professional experience. Coursework includes Foundations of User-Centered Design, Typographic Systems, Planning and Developing Interactive Systems, The Design of Visual Information, Cause-Based User-Experience Design, and Contextual Research Methods, which collectively build expertise in research-driven, human-centered design. Graduates are prepared for careers as UX designers, interaction designers, information architects, experience designers, and publication designers, with many working at leading companies such as Fossil, BBDO, Quanta Magazine, Walmart, Pentagram New York, and Nike. Overall, the program integrates creativity, research, technology, and user-centered thinking to prepare students for impactful careers in the growing field of digital experience and interaction design.