UX Mentorship
Real client projects | Senior feedback | PAID Internship
✅ Work in a small cohort (max 8), with 1:1 & group mentorship
✅ Develop an approved, portfolio-ready case study from start to finish
✅ Take part in live critique sessions with external designers
✅ Learn how to use AI tools with intention, prioritising judgment, strategy, and real UX thinking over surface outputs
✅ Be considered for a PAID INTERNSHIP as a top performer
(competitive, not guaranteed)
💸 Government Funding & Design Skillnet subsidy available, including support for jobseekers and a 25% Design Skillnet subsidy.
Out of stock
Next round kick-off
September 1, 2026
Applications
July 15 to August 31, 2026
Program Fee
€750* – with Design Skillnet funding (25% subsidy applied)
€999* – Standard price
Junior to Mid
Skill level
4 months
Duration
Degree/Portfolio
Prerequisites
4 hours/week
Commitment
This programme is for you if:
- You have some UX knowledge (course, degree, self-study, or junior role)
- You understand the basics, but lack confidence applying UX in real projects
- Your portfolio feels weak, incomplete, or too theoretical
- You want hands-on experience and real feedback from experienced designers
- You’re serious about progressing in UX over the next 3–6 months
This programme is not yet for you if:
- You’re looking for a watch-only, self-paced video course
- You want shortcuts or guaranteed job outcomes
- You’re not ready to commit time to project work and feedback sessions
- You’re completely new and haven’t explored UX basics yet
Our mentorship graduates work in companies such as
“The mentorship program was fantastic, and I’m so glad I took part in it in round 8. My mentor Ana was brilliant and Valentina, along with all the mentors, were incredibly encouraging and generous with feedback. I came away from every call feeling inspired and full of ideas to push my project further.
Through the program, I was able to take on a project that really showcases my abilities in UX/UI design and ultimately, that’s what helped me land my internship at PGIM. I’m so grateful to UX Tree for playing such a big role in helping me take that step forward.
It’s also great to have such a supportive community in my corner, especially just starting out in my career.”
– Laura Foy, UX/UI Designer | Innovation Specialist at PGIM Ireland
Tailored Mentorship
Nothing is left to chance.
Each mentor and mentee are carefully matched based on your experience, goals, and career direction.
Standout Case Study
Build a portfolio-ready case study you can confidently present in interviews — shaped with expert guidance and grounded in a real company brief.
Real Experience
Work on real company problems, with real constraints and expectations — and experience what UX work actually looks like in practice.
Constructive Feedback
Get clear, honest feedback that challenges your thinking — from your mentor and other senior designers — helping you grow faster and with confidence.
UX Tree Mentorship
How it works
You start by applying through a short Application form. If it looks like a good fit, you’ll be invited to a short interview.
We review applications carefully. Not just for skill level, but to make sure the programme and group are right for you.
Once accepted, you’re paired 1:1 with a senior UX practitioner.
Each mentor works with one mentee only, so feedback is focused, honest, and tailored to your growth.
You’ll work on a real-world UX problem, with real constraints – not a fictional brief.
This means navigating ambiguity, stakeholders, and trade-offs, just like you would in a real life.
PS Projects are not chosen by mentees they’re matched to you, just like in real UX roles.
You’ll meet your mentor regularly for guidance, critique, and direction. The focus is on how you think and make decisions, not just what you produce.
You’ll also have access to AI-supported learning resources to help you reflect on your work, explore patterns, and ask better questions — always guided by your mentor.
Alongside 1:1 mentoring, you’ll take part in group sessions where work is reviewed and discussed.
Means that you’ll:
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Present your work at multiple checkpoints
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Take part in group critiques and breakout sessions
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Get feedback from other senior mentors, not just your own
This helps you learn how to explain your thinking, give and receive feedback, and see different approaches to the same problem.
You’ll finish the programme with a strong, portfolio-ready case study that reflects real UX maturity, from problem framing to final outcomes.
Your case study won’t just show what you designed, but how you thought, including how decisions were made, trade-offs handled, and where tools supported (or didn’t support) the process.
Our UX Tree founder (13+ years in UX) will review your case study after you submit it, and give you a feedback.
You’ll be asked to refine and improve it until it meets a professional, portfolio-ready standard.
At the end of the programme, standout projects are recognised through internal UX Tree awards (such as Best Project, Best UX Thinking, or Best Presentation).
These are based on the quality of thinking, decision-making, and execution, not just visual polish.
One top performer may be offered a paid internship / residency opportunity
(competitive and not guaranteed).
This mentorship isn’t about following steps or learning tools.
It’s about learning how to think like a UX professional.
During the programme, you’ll learn how to:
• Frame the right problems
Learn how to step back from solutions and clearly define what’s worth solving, and why.
• Run meaningful UX research
Plan, analyse, and synthesise research in a way that leads to real insight, not surface-level findings.
• Use modern tools with intention
AI and other tools are part of modern UX work.
You’ll learn where they can speed things up, and where relying on them too heavily can weaken thinking.
You’ll be challenged to explain why a tool was used, not just that it was.
• Turn insights into strong UX decisions
Move from research to clear problem statements, user flows, and design rationale that stand up to critique.
• Design and iterate based on evidence
Test ideas, learn from users, and refine solutions, rather than polishing assumptions.
• Communicate your thinking clearly
Present your work the way senior designers do: explaining decisions, trade-offs, and outcomes, not just screens.
• Build a case study that shows real UX maturity
Your final case study won’t just show what you designed, but how you think, including where tools helped and where human judgment mattered most.
What You’ll Learn
This mentorship is about more than following a UX process or learning tools.
It’s about learning how to think, decide, and communicate like a UX professional.
How to frame the right problems before jumping into solutions
How to turn research into clear, meaningful insights
How to make UX decisions that stand up to critique
How to work with modern tools — including AI — with intention, not dependency
How to balance user needs, business constraints, and real-world trade-offs
How to communicate your thinking clearly to stakeholders and hiring managers
"UX tree mentorship was a fantastic experience. Everyone was so nice and supportive. I feel lucky to have been able to meet other designers within this field and this programme provided the perfect way to do that."
"The UX tree program has been a great opportunity for me to learn from others and expand my network. I couldn't have gotten the kind of insight I did from a college course. "
"I really enjoyed the programme overall. I liked that we were able to pick a project that was our own choice and we were interested in. My prototyping skills improved significantly, as did my research abilities and knowledge."
"Getting regular feedback from my mentor and other mentors was very helpful. I learnt a lot about the proper structure of UX projects and how to approach them with them intentionally with the double diamond method."
"As a career changer, this program was invaluable to help grown my confidence, skills and network in the UX industry. I improved my design and presentation skills, discovered new methods and became more confident."
"I have connected with many people from the industry.I have learned so much from other mentors. The most valuable thing was exchanging information when it comes to tools, resources and ideas."
"I love the way it is not focused specifically on entry-level/junior designers to learn about UX and more about up-skilling and learning from other highly experienced UX mentors to grow the skills you already have.."
"I really enjoyed the programme, although I wish there was a bit more interaction between mentors & mentees, or even mentees and mentees, I understand that it takes a team effort to become a team. But I’d recommend maybe some more ice breakers to get to know everyone else a bit more and soften the tension or shall I say “shyness” in the group chats."
"I loved it! Working alongside my mentor while going through each step of the UX process allowed me to upskill and grow my confidence! Having someone to bounce ideas off of really opens up another perspective.."
"I cannot overstate how helpful this program has been. It has raised my whole UX game entirely. What I especially appreciated was the chance to interact with experts as well as other mentees."
"I think the course was great and well structured. The biggest learning for me came towards the end of the project, I had to do a second round of research and testing that could have been done during the initial research stge giving me more time to design."
Read all Case Studies from our Mentees
Still deciding?
Take a few minutes to explore our Mentees' Case Studies and see real work before applying.
UX Tree & Design Skillnet
Design Skillnet subsidy
How is the co-funding from Design Skillnet allocated?
Co-funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to successful, eligible applicants. For more detailed information, please check the Design Skillnet website.
What if I am not a member of any of the eligible organisations but want to apply for co-funding?
If you are not a member, you should email info@idi-design.ie to find out how to join the IDI.
Who funds Design Skillnet?
Design Skillnet is co-funded by Skillnet Ireland and network companies.
Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund and the European Union through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Who is eligible for this co-funding?
To be eligible for this co-funding, you must be a member of one of the following organisations: IDI (Institute of Designers in Ireland), ICAD (Institute of Creative Advertising and Design), IAPI (Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland), or 100 Archive.
Is there a special membership option for recent graduates?
Yes, if you have graduated within the last three years, you can get started with a special €30 graduate membership with IDI.
What is the cost of a standard IDI membership for non-recent graduates?
The standard/full (non-graduate) membership of IDI costs €197 per annum, plus a one-off €50 application fee.
Meet our Mentors
Rob McLoughlin
UX/UI Lead
Alessia Rossini
Principal UX
Hanah Vickers
Senior UX
Peter Mullen
UX Manager
Riccardo Spina
Venture Consultant
Rebecca Lewis
UX Designer
Dave Jackson
UX Director
Tiago Assuncao
Lead UX
Ana Bramson
Senior UX
“When I launched UX Tree, this mentorship programme was our very first offering — and it’s still one of the most impactful things we do. What’s always mattered most to me is giving designers real experience: working on real company briefs and receiving thoughtful, honest feedback from experienced UX practitioners.
Over time, we’ve intentionally evolved the programme to go deeper, not bigger. Cohorts are kept small (a maximum of 8 participants), so every mentee gets meaningful mentor time, high-quality feedback, and space to grow. We carefully review every application — not just for skill level, but to ensure the group dynamic is right — because a strong, supportive learning environment makes a real difference.”
– Valentina, Founder
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQs provide quick, easy answers to the most common questions about our products and services, helping you find the information you need without hassle
This course is ideal for junior designers, recent graduates, or those who have just started their UX career and want to gain more confidence and practical experience.
To participate in the program, mentees are required to have a degree or diploma in UX, or equivalent knowledge and experience. The skill level for this program is beginner to intermediate, so we expect mentees to be familiar with UX concepts.
This program is ideally suited for juniors who are actively seeking a job or those who have recently started in their role but may not yet feel fully confident in their skills.
We carefully match Mentors and Mentees through a thorough interview process for both. We consider factors like their goals, background, and experience to ensure each pairing is aligned for the best possible learning experience.
This approach helps us create meaningful connections that support both personal growth and professional development, ensuring the best fit for everyone involved.
Yes. AI-assisted tools are used to support learning, reflection, and analysis. All work is reviewed and guided by senior UX mentors.
Yes! Upon completion, you’ll receive a UX Tree certificate, which you can showcase on your LinkedIn and portfolio.
Yes, many of our mentees have successfully taken the Program while working or studying full-time. Based on our statistics, most participants report a commitment of around 4 hours per week.
All of our group calls will take place on Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays at 7 PM (IST), so you can plan your schedule accordingly. This flexible structure is designed to fit into your work-life balance while providing the support you need to succeed.
Why UX Tree
The UX Tree mentorship teaches designers how to work with modern tools, including AI, while building the judgment, clarity, and decision-making skills that tools can’t replace.
The focus isn’t on outputs — it’s on thinking, trade-offs, and real UX maturity.
If you’re ready to work on a real UX project, get honest feedback, and build a portfolio you’re proud of — apply below.
Discuss your payment options
Got questions?
We’re here to help! Contact us at +353871607207 or ask below.
Product reviews
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Getting regular feedback from my mentor and other mentors was very helpful.
I learnt a lot about the proper structure of UX projects and how to approach them with them intentionally with the double diamond method.
I also learnt how to bring out key findings from user interviews, and use quotes and feedback from users in my presentations and story telling to stakeholders.
Seeing other mentees and the variety of approaches to the projects was also eye opening.
I have connected with many people from the industry.I have learned so much from other mentors. The most valuable thing was exchanging information when it comes to tools, resources,ideas etc
I found the course to be brilliant, both for skills and general UX knowledge. The tight timeframe encourages putting real effort into the project and the mentors are all extremely supportive throughout. I was also lucky enough to have been given a UX industry project giving me the chance to talk to a huge number of UX designers. If you were looking for a short, sharp course to build a unique UX case study, this stands out as exceptional and authentic amongst a field of mass-appeal online courses.
I think the course was great and well structured. The biggest learning for me came towards the end of the project, I had to do a second round of research and testing that could have been done during the initial research stge giving me more time to design.
The UX Tree was a great place to learn. I’ve done online courses before, but this one really helped with real-time feedback and a great mentor. I loved seeing the rest of the mentees and their projects, learning how they approached their work.
The breakout rooms were fantastic, allowing us to chat about our projects without any pressure. My weekly meetings with my mentor helped me stay focused and inspired me to explore my project in different ways.
I really enjoyed the programme overall. I liked that we were able to pick a project that was our own choice and we were interested in. Designing for a brand much different than my previous experience was really great experience and seeing how others designed for even more of a variety of businesses was really helpful to broaden my knowledge of being a designer for different types of projects than I was used to.
Particularly, my prototyping skills improved significantly, as did my research abilities and knowledge.
I think it is a really well run programme. I love the way it is not focused specifically on entry-level/junior designers to learn about UX and more about up-skilling and learning from other highly experienced UX mentors to grow the skills you already have-don’t think there are other programmes out there like that.
Also as a UX Designer working remotely, I found it really nice to feel connected to UX Designers at home and hear about their jobs and projects they were doing.
As a career changer, this program was invaluable to help grown my confidence, skills and network in the UX industry. I improved my design and presentation skills, discovered new methods and became more confident defending design decisions and presenting my work.
Overall, a great experience!
UX tree mentorship was a fantastic experience. Everyone was so nice and supportive. I feel lucky to have been able to meet other designers within this field and this programme provided the perfect way to do that. It was great to improve my presentation skills and UX skills too, having a mentor to bounce my doubts and questions off is beyond valuable. It helped to remove the guesswork out of the some of the techniques I was a bit more unsure of.
I cannot overstate how helpful this program has been. It has raised my whole UX game entirely. What I especially appreciated was the chance to interact with experts as well as other mentees. My research, prototyping, and presentation skills have been raised through this course.
A very well rounded UX mentorship program. Made me more confident in presenting my work and the feedback from mentors was always constructive.
The program offered great insights on real life experience with careers in UX. Since I left college, I’ve found it hard to find a UX job and felt like I was losing touch with the UX community so it was great to connect with everyone and hear about their experiences and learn from them.
In the four months of the program, I learned that you don’t always need to do every single approach for each stage, focus on the problem at hand and how to provide a solution for that. I learned how to present my work and answer questions confidently. I have learned to ask for constructive feedback to enhance my case study, my UX approach and my case study.
I really enjoyed the program from start to finish. It exceeded my expectations and I am still shocked at how much work I did over such a short span of time. There were a number of webinars throughout hosted by designers and previous mentors/mentees, this was an opportunity to ask about stuff like portfolios or the interview process. Could not recommend UX Tree enough!
I loved it. Personally, I went in to the program looking to develop research and presentation skills and benefited hugely from presenting regularly in the group sessions. The course is well-structured and gives mentees a great opportunity to gain feedback and insights from seasoned professionals.
I would recommend the program to anyone looking to strengthen their skills in UX and create a good case study for their portfolio.
I started a UX/UI design role when the course started, over the first few weeks I noticed myself using skills I learnt from my mentor and UX tree which helped a lot. I feel a lot more confident in my job now and also presentation I’m more confident now and know how to back my designs and answer questions correctly due to my experience presentation throughout the UX tree course
Today I feel much more confident about my skills, being in contact with mentors and realizing that what was being done was a Sample of the daily life of a designer. I learned new data analysis techniques, received good insights. I’m very proud to be part of the program and I recommend it for everyone!
I feel like my storytelling and presenting skills have improved a lot. Looking at my case study on my website compared to my older projects, the new project stands head and shoulders above everything else in terms of the story told throughout the case study.
I will definitely have to go back and work on those case study’s to improve the standard of them using my learnings from the UX Tree programme.
I felt it was a great opportunity to create a good portfolio piece and get genuine feedback on your work. I learned a lot about research and how everyone can have many approaches to research.
I originally went into the mentorship to help improve my presentation skills and bridge the gap between research insights and design implementation. Throughout this process, I was surprised and impressed by what I could achieve in only four months. I was able to improve these goals as well as so many more with the help and guidance of some great people.
The mentorship is very well recognised and is a perfect bridge from academics to the real world, whereby you get feedback and expertise you’d only get from working in the industry. It has been a great opportunity and I encourage anyone trying to get into the industry to apply.
The programa built up my confidence in UX, I have now new skills in interviewing and testing. I also learned tools that I am using in a profesional projects.
Overall very pleased with the course. It invites you to a huge network of other UX Designers to share ideas and possible jobs. Easy place to do a project you want to do and get feedback off it. Also encourages to learn and improve your UX skills.
I would recommend UX Tree to any UX designers looking to improve their skills and learn from senior professionals. I think you really get what you give with this programme. Everyone is very welcoming and it really gives a sense of community. Even though you work mainly with one mentor, everyone is very nice and will make the time to talk to you and provide insights and feedback.
I feel much more confident as a designer and feel I have really developed my research and decision making skills over the past 4 months. Overall I really enjoyed the course and I feel I have developed my skills and network from the programme.
The UX Tree Mentorship Programme was definitely more than I expected from a mentorship program. All along the program, I felt so challenged, supported and inspired. Everything is well structured, our roadmap was so clear. I had regular meetings with my mentor, she was available whenever I need.
And what’s more is that the sessions with my mentor was not all. We presented our progress to other mentees and mentors at the end of each stage of our project, so we could get feedback from other mentors as well. I have improved my research and presentation skills, and I connected a lot of outstanding designers. Now, I am a part of UX Tree community for life.
UX Tree mentorship programme is a rewarding experience for anyone looking to improve their UX design skills. The mentors are experienced professionals who provided valuable insights and guidance throughout the programme. The programme was well-structured and provided ample opportunities for the mentees to work on real-life projects and gain practical experience.
The continuous feedback and support from the mentors helped to enhance my research and presentation skills and build my portfolio. I loved it and I would highly recommend UX Tree mentorship programme to anyone looking to elevate their UX design career.
Starting a new career can make you feel unworthy of getting a role but doing the program showed you you don’t have to have all the answers and that everyone at every level is still learning. It has definitely helped with imposter syndrome! Also everyone was so helpfully, kind and fun!
I can’t recommend the program enough! Having done my UX diploma with UXDI and subsequent case studies on my own, it was invaluable having a mentor to point me in the right direction through the process. Great to meet so many other UX designers and mentors too!
I absolutely loved this program. I learned so much from mentors and mentees. I got more comfortable using UX terms and more confidence in my work. New to UX design so I was nervous about the program but it was insightful. Everyone was welcoming and encouraging.
It was an excellent opportunity to learn more about UX Design, especially UX Research. I’ve enjoyed the programme, and all the learnings and improvements I gained during the past four months will help me build a solid portfolio and start looking for my first opportunity as a UX designer.
The program was excellent and offers new graduates the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills more directly applicable to the workplace from mentors in industry.
I benefitted hugely through learning from my mentor about UI design for mobile screens. There was so much I wasn’t aware of in terms of best practice, accessibility and design system component choice. Attending regular meetings with my mentor allowed me to get use to sharing my work and giving project status updates and my mentors feedback allowed to view problems from different perspectives.
I learned a lot from being involved in the group aspect of UX Tree, from hearing other mentors and mentees feedback and thinking styles around projects. Presenting is a skill I want to greatly improve and had ample opportunity to practice throughout the course.
The biggest gain from this was the improvement in my presentation skills, including an improvement in my confidence in presenting also my mentor taught me a lot about what to include in a presentation, and how to structure it. Prior to this, I was just relaying the research and work I did in my presentations, whereas now I have learned to use my slides to tell a story.
I also learned a lot about user research methods and how to get the most out of them, more specifically I learned the importance of asking ‘why?’
I loved it! Working alongside my mentor while going through each step of the UX process allowed me to upskill and grow my confidence! Having someone to bounce ideas off of really opens up another perspective as well and allowed me to think of things I never would have beforehand, and this kind of perspective is what UX is all about!
Approaching the project with multiple viewpoints in mind (as my mentor taught me) really allowed me implement a more well-rounded project in the end and will certainly add to my case study and portfolio (things like showcasing possible limitations within the project, showcasing the business case, next steps, etc).
The UX tree program has been a great opportunity for me to learn from others and expand my network. I couldn’t have gotten the kind of insight I did from a college course. I am very grateful to all the mentors for providing their feedback and giving us direction.
I have a portfolio piece that I am proud of and will use for future employment. I also learned loads about researching, presenting and UX methodology too. It’s definitely worth doing if you’re interested in UX. And Valentina is super organised and helpful too!
I found the most beneficial aspect of the programme was the pooled knowledge of all the mentors. UX Tree has brought together a diverse group of UX professionals who are incredibly generous with their time and advice.
Thanks to everyone for being so forthcoming with practical project and career advice. Special thanks to Valentina though for creating such a welcoming community.
I thought it was great for developing my UX skills further, and for creating a quality case study to add to my portfolio. The case study I completed during this project is far better than my others that were completed in UX bootcamps etc.
Valentina was extremely helpful and was always available to help with the project and also with job-search related questions. Before the program I had not received and interviews in the last few weeks of the program I received 2 interviews for UX and Product Designer roles.
The UXTree mentorship program has been a huge factor in my journey to becoming a UX Designer. It gave me the chance to refine my skills under the guidance of my mentor, while also pushing me to grow with the feedback of the other experienced designers.
In the 4 months I’ve been a part of UXTree, my ability and confidence in the UX field has grown significantly, and I am grateful to have been given the opportunity. I would recommend the Mentorship programme to any aspiring designer looking to get a start in the field. You won’t regret it!
It was great it helped me land a job in UX, I some really nice people who are really passionate about design, I improved my design skills and would highly recommend!
I’m so impressed with the programme, the management and mentors were excellent, I feel I have developed a great network and my confidence in UX has increased
As someone who had little UX experience besides some projects in college, this program gave me some insight about what it’s like to be a UX designer. I learned vital information from mentors and mentees, such as how to create an appealing portfolio and CV for employers.
Various talks and presentations we’re given throughout the program that made me reflect on job goals and prospects for the future. By the end of the program I felt more confident in my skills and abilities to find a job in the related field.
I hope that future mentees are able to find aspects of this program that allowed them to grow just as much as I did.
Highly recommend this programme for graduates. It is a big plus that we can include this as part of working experience for the CV and LinkedIn profile, which does work to get attention for interviews. Also, this program is great to practice skills for presenting work.
The program was beneficial in forming a new community and building a network. It gave me support and structure to a project whilst learning industry insights and tips from my mentor. I learned that it’s important to keep things simple and focus on one problem whilst allowing your research to bring you to the solutions. It was challenging but definitely beneficial to keep momentum after completing studies in Aug 2021.
I feel myself and the other mentees could have done a better job at supporting each other as I didn’t utilise the mentees channel on slack, I wish I had initiated this a bit more. Catch ups with them would have been beneficial – Which should be initiated by mentees as a whole. Could certain mentees put themselves forward to initiate things like this throughout the program? Also a nice option for people might be to create an hour ‘open session’ a week – like a zoom or online google meets room where mentees / mentors or both could drop in if they wanted and work/speak about what they’re doing informally. Could be nice to form more connections with other mentees and mentors 🙂 🙂
The UX Tree Mentorship programme has been a great opportunity for me to develop my skills in UX while working alongside an experienced designer. Throughout the programme my mentor has been fantastic offering their enthusiastic support at every stage.
The programme has been a great way to bridge the gap between education and the workplace. My confidence approaching job interviews grew while taking part and my mentor was always there with calming advice and reassurance. I would recommend this programme to anyone looking to continue their career in UX or who want to make the career switch to UX.
Taking part in the UX Tree mentorship program provided me with a great opportunity to undertake a design project under the guidance of an industry professional. The program provided me with an excellent opportunity to build my skillset, learn about the industry and create a detailed portfolio ready project.
The guidance and expertise of my mentor was extremely beneficial and has helped me to develop a project that I am proud of. I am confident that the lessons I learned during the course of the program will benefit me greatly during my career as a UX designer.
The products I designed in college were all made from scratch so this programme was a great opportunity to redesign or improve an existing product. The work I produced will be a great addition to my portfolio and will increase the variety of my work.
I learnt a lot about the UX process in relation to redesigning an existing UI and evaluating a design’s success.