ECU’s New User Interface Design + UX/UI Leadership Micro-Certificates Empower Creative + Professional Evolution

(Photo by Jenn Xu)

By Emily Carr University

Posted on July 03, 2025 | Updated July 03, 2025, 8:39am

For everyone from emerging designers to mid-career professionals, four new short-format programs offer hands-on pathways to shaping the career of your dreams.

Four new micro-certificates from Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) offer focused, hands-on pathways to build crucial knowledge and sought-after skills in design leadership and user interface (UI) design.

In two to eight weeks, these short-format programs combine flexible learning with practical skill-building, supporting your growth as a creative professional and helping you shape the next evolution of your career.

What is UI Design?

User Interface (UI) design is about more than just aesthetics and apps. It’s how you shape the way people interact with digital and physical systems, including websites, wearables, augmented reality (AR), voice interfaces, and more. As technologies evolve, UI extends into immersive experiences that blend the digital and physical, making interactions feel seamless and natural. From layout and motion to navigation and accessibility, UI designers help craft experiences that feel clear, intuitive, and human.

User Interface (UI) Design Micro-Certificates

ECU’s two UI Design micro-certificate programs are designed to build your creative confidence and deepen your practice in different areas of user interface design.

Whether you're looking to establish essential skills or develop greater confidence in UI design, these eight-week programs are tailored to help you deepen your design abilities, make more informed creative choices and design intentional interfaces to connect people with the things they use every day.

ECU’s User Interface (UI) Design Foundations Micro-Certificate offers a clear, practical introduction to the field of UI design for individuals with little to no prior experience.

Through three hands-on courses, students will explore the core visual design principles, the psychology behind user behaviour and the tools used to prototype engaging, intuitive experiences.

For emerging and practicing designers who want to elevate their digital work, ECU’s UI Visual Design Micro-Certificate explores the creation of engaging digital experiences that communicate meaning and strengthen brand identity.

Ideal for those with a foundational understanding of UI, this three-course bundle helps designers deepen their creative impact and strategic design skills.

What is UX Design?

User Experience (UX) Design is a multidisciplinary field focused on creating products, services, or systems that provide a positive and intuitive experience for users.

UX designers aim to make interactions between users and products or services as seamless, efficient, and enjoyable as possible. UX designers work closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, and business stakeholders.

Good UX design aligns business goals and provides a framework for consistent design decisions. Typical phases of the UX design process include user research, information architecture, wireframing and prototyping and user testing.

Designers may also create basic visual elements or work collaboratively with visual designers, define interactive elements to make experiences intuitive and efficient, and ensure that products are accessible to all

audiences by following standards and guidelines for accessibility. UX Designers gain knowledge of each phase to successfully contribute - in part or entirely - to the design of a product or service.

Design Leadership Micro-Certificates

Are you a mid-career professional ready to expand your role? ECU’s two new short-format Design Leadership Micro-Certificates will help you develop your strategic voice and grow the expertise, mindset and confidence to lead design work with greater impact.

You’ll explore leadership frameworks, future-facing technologies and interpersonal tools for supporting others and navigating complex team dynamics.

ECU’s UX/UI Design Leadership Essentials Micro-Certificate bundles three future-focused courses aimed at building core capabilities to lead projects, communicate design value and navigate through technological and industry change.

This bundle offers a practical toolkit for product designers, freelancers, and emerging team leads who are preparing to take on more strategic, leadership-aligned roles.

ECU's UX/UI Design Visioning + Team Leadership Micro-Certificate is ideal for professionals with 2+ years of experience in the field of UX/UI. Through two intensive courses, this program provides the strategic, interpersonal and visionary tools to lead high-performing design teams and influence the direction of their organizations.

This micro-certificate is perfect for those looking to mentor others, influence design and organizational strategy, and transition into management roles with confidence and clarity.

Registration is open for all four micro-certificates, with classes beginning in the fall.

Visit our website to learn more and register today.

Tuition Support

Tuition support may be available - visit our Tuition Support page for details and eligibility.