UI Design
Seminar Program
A structured online program examining interface design in depth — covering visual systems, interaction patterns, and the reasoning behind design decisions that hold up under scrutiny.
What the Program Covers
Interface design is often taught as a collection of tools and templates. This program treats it differently — as a discipline with its own logic, where decisions about spacing, hierarchy, and interaction carry real consequences for the people using what you build. Each module is built around a specific design problem rather than a software feature.
Sessions run live with a cohort of participants from across the province, which means the critique and discussion reflects a range of contexts — from small product teams to solo practitioners working on client projects. The mix matters. Design decisions that seem obvious in one context often fall apart when examined from a different angle.
Interface decisions are rarely wrong in isolation — they fail in context, under real use conditions, with real users who have other things on their mind.
Visual Structure & Hierarchy
How layout decisions communicate priority before a user reads a single word.
- Grid systems and alignment logic
- Typographic scale in practice
- Contrast and visual weight
Interaction Design Patterns
Common interaction models, where they work, and where they create friction.
- Navigation and wayfinding
- Form design and error handling
- Feedback and system state
Accessibility in Interface Work
Designing for a range of users from the start rather than retrofitting at the end.
- WCAG criteria applied to real UI
- Keyboard and screen reader testing
- Colour and motion considerations
Design Systems Fundamentals
Building consistent, maintainable component libraries that scale across a product.
- Token structure and naming
- Component variants in Figma
- Documentation for handoff
Research Methods for UI
Gathering usable evidence without over-engineering the research process.
- Usability testing on a small budget
- Interpreting session recordings
- Turning findings into decisions
Critique and Case Studies
Structured peer review and analysis of real-world interface decisions — good and bad.
- Critique frameworks and language
- Final project presentation
- Cohort feedback and discussion
Who attends this program
- Junior designers looking to build stronger conceptual foundations
- Developers who work alongside design teams and want to read design decisions more accurately
- Product managers who need to evaluate and communicate design quality
- Freelancers who want to articulate their design rationale more clearly to clients
From Registration to Final Project
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Review the program outline
Read through the module structure and instructor profiles to confirm the program matches your current skill level and goals.
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Submit your registration
Fill out the registration form with your contact details and a brief note about your background in design or adjacent fields.
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Receive access and schedule
After confirmation, you will receive login credentials and the full session calendar for the cohort period.
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Attend sessions and submit exercises
Join live seminars, complete weekly design exercises in Figma, and take part in structured peer critique rounds.
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Complete the final project
Submit a full UI design case study demonstrating your ability to apply the methods covered — presented to the cohort for group discussion.
Aleksandra Věra
Lead Instructor — Visual Systems
Aleksandra has been working in interface design for over a decade, with a focus on design systems for SaaS products. She leads modules on visual hierarchy and component architecture.
Tomáš Nkrumah
Instructor — Interaction & Research
Tomáš brings a background in cognitive psychology to interaction design, with particular attention to how users form mental models of digital interfaces. He leads the research and interaction modules.
Brigitte Osei
Instructor — Accessibility & Critique
Brigitte has consulted on accessibility audits for public-sector digital services across Ontario. She leads the accessibility module and facilitates the final critique sessions.
Common Questions
Do I need prior design experience to join?
The program is structured for people who already have some exposure to design tools or visual communication. Complete beginners may find the pace demanding in the first two modules, though the recorded sessions allow you to revisit material as needed.
How many hours per week does the program require?
Plan for roughly 6 to 8 hours per week. That includes the live seminar session, independent design exercises, and time spent reviewing and responding to peer critique. The final project week typically requires more time.
Are sessions recorded if I cannot attend live?
Yes. All live seminar sessions are recorded and made available to enrolled participants within 24 hours. Peer critique sessions are also recorded, though live participation is strongly encouraged for those modules.
What software will I need?
Most exercises use Figma, which has a free tier that covers everything needed for the program. Some modules also reference FigJam for collaborative exercises and Maze for lightweight usability testing tasks. No paid subscriptions are required to complete the coursework.
Is the program delivered synchronously or at my own pace?
The program runs on a fixed cohort schedule with one live session per week. Exercises are completed asynchronously between sessions. The structure is intentional — the peer critique format only works when everyone is progressing through the material at the same time.