UX Courses & Workshops
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EXPERIENCE THINKING

BROADEN YOUR UX PERSPECTIVE KNOWLEDGE TECHNIQUES

Unlock practical UX approaches from industry experts, influence and drive decision-making, and build your team's UX skills.

Upskill in Experience Thinking

Finely tuned
methodology

We bring an arsenal of proven tools and expertise, knowing when and how to apply each one. We'll help you eliminate uncertainty to achieve an optimal solution that aligns with your business goals.

Comprehensive body
of knowledge

With decades of industry experience, we've distilled Experience Thinking into actionable guidelines, best practices, and proven methodologies, delivered through thought-provoking lessons and activities.

Practical
approach

Our workshops and courses are pragmatic, valuable, and actionable. Whether conducted virtually or in person, the knowledge gained is immediately applicable to your projects, ensuring tangible results from day one.

The courses helped my business because they showed me a pathway to achieving some of my business objectives. They provided processes I could implement that would allow me to articulate the rationale for the choices of our design and business teams.

Lisa Heath,

CEO, MediResource

I'd just like to say a big thank you for the UX course that you organised for us. It was excellent. In particular your enthusiasm for the subject matter really shone through and made it so engaging.

Anthony Brown,

Oxford University

I liked the micro-rooms for discussion. This allowed for greater proximity to other participants. My favourite course was the last one, Persuasive Design. The theme and the interaction of the class were great. Time passed quickly and the class was fun.

Marcos Vinicius De Rezende,

LeapUX

My favourite part of the whole certification was all the examples that were provided for each theory, especially for difficult concepts like dendrograms, hierarchy patterns and scaling approaches. That was helpful in understanding how these theories are applied in real-life scenarios.

Paridhi Rukhaiyar,

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

I loved my experience with Akendi Training and would not hesitate to recommend it! Absolutely loved it.

Tania Levy,

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada [ISED]

Learning your way

Our UX workshops, courses and certifications accommodate the way your team wants to learn.

UX Courses & Certifications

DELIVERY METHODS
Live virtual
In-person
Self-paced

Our UX courses cover everything from user research, journey mapping, and usability testing to product, service, and persuasive design. Upskill your team one course at a time or get certified through a series of courses and exam.

Learn More

Custom UX Courses & Workshops

DELIVERY METHODS
Live virtual
In-person
Self-paced

Tailor our courses and workshops to your needs and context. This customized approach addresses your unique challenges, increases effectiveness, and accelerates team growth. Craft connected experiences that people love.

Learn More

UX Coaching & Mentoring

DELIVERY METHODS
Live virtual
In-person
Self-paced

Engage directly with our experts, who work hands on with your team, transferring valuable knowledge and learnings through a variety of methods and interactions. Bring expertise onboard so your team can learn by doing.

Learn More

UX Leadership Training

DELIVERY METHODS
Live virtual
In-person
Self-paced

Address organizational challenges and foster a culture that's anchored in delivering exceptional experiences. Bring in external expertise to drive transformation within your organization or team.

Learn More

UX Courses & Certifications

DELIVERY METHODS
Live virtual
In-person
Self-paced

Our UX courses cover everything from user research, journey mapping, and usability testing to product, service, and persuasive design. Upskill your team one course at a time or get certified through a series of courses and exam.

Learn More

Custom UX Courses & Workshops

DELIVERY METHODS
Live virtual
In-person
Self-paced

Tailor our courses and workshops to your needs and context. This customized approach addresses your unique challenges, increases effectiveness, and accelerates team growth. Craft connected experiences that people love.

Learn More

UX Coaching & Mentoring

DELIVERY METHODS
Live virtual
In-person
Self-paced

Engage directly with our experts, who work hands on with your team, transferring valuable knowledge and learnings through a variety of methods and interactions. Bring expertise onboard so your team can learn by doing.

Learn More

UX Leadership Training

DELIVERY METHODS
Live virtual
In-person
Self-paced

Address organizational challenges and foster a culture that's anchored in delivering exceptional experiences. Bring in external expertise to drive transformation within your organization or team.

Learn More

UX Courses, Workshops & Certifications

Creating useful, usable, and delightful customer and user experiences requires a team with varied skills and perspectives who speak the same language and follow the same process. Our workshops, courses and certifications teach the processes and tactical skills for teams of 6 or more who want to elevate product delivery.

WORKSHOP

Design Thinking

Learn the stages and activities to design with empathy

0.5, 1 & 2 days
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WORKSHOP

Discovery

Understand the problem space before designing

2 - 4 hours
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WORKSHOP

Experience Thinking

Learn how to design connected experiences

0.5, 1 & 2 days
Learn More
WORKSHOP

Journey Mapping

Define your current and desired end-to-end experience as a team

3 - 6 hours
Ask Us
WORKSHOP

Co-Design

Bring user and stakeholder perspectives directly into the design process

2 - 6 hours
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WORKSHOP

User Personas

Uncover and define who uses your experience

2 - 4 hours
Ask Us
WORKSHOP

Customer Personas

Define and explore who engages with your experience

2 - 4 hours
Ask Us
WORKSHOP

Strategic Priorities

Bring stakeholders together to structure and decide

3 - 6 hours
Ask Us
WORKSHOP

UX Team Alignment

Optimize team dynamics to streamline delivery

4 - 6 hours
Ask Us
WORKSHOP

UX Transformation

Streamline your ops model, team values, and culture

0.5, 1 & 2 days
Ask Us
WORKSHOP

UX Prototyping

Rapid capture of ideas to demonstrate, test, and get buy in

3 - 6 hours
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WORKSHOP

UX for Product Managers

Translate UX strategies and requirements into design direction

3 - 6 hours
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WORKSHOP

Effective UX for Agile Teams

Deliver consistent user experiences across agile teams

2 - 4 hours
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COURSE

Intro to UX & Experience Thinking

Take a human-centered approach to deliver intentional experiences

COURSE

UX Research

Build a research toolkit to uncover deep behavioural insights

1 & 2 days
Learn More (pdf)
COURSE

Journey Mapping

Capture flows, pain points and opportunities to improve experiences

COURSE

Information Architecture

Organize content in meaningful and scalable structures

1 & 2 days
Learn More (pdf)
COURSE

UX with AI

Design next generation experiences with effective AI tools

1 & 2 days
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COURSE

Interaction Design

Design deliberate interactions that make sense to users

1 & 2 days
Learn More (pdf)
COURSE

Usability Testing

Gain valuable feedback from end users throughout product design

1 & 2 days
Learn More (pdf)
COURSE

Persuasive Design

Learn evidence-based techniques to increase conversion and engagement

COURSE

Service Design

Transform and streamline end to end service experiences

1 day
Ask Us
UX CERTIFICATION

Certified Experience Researcher (CXR)

Learn critical research techniques to inform UX design decisions. Intro, UX Research, Journey Mapping, Usability Testing

UX CERTIFICATION

Certified Experience Designer (CXD)

Move beyond the theory to deepen knowledge and skills in UX design. Intro, UX Research, Info. Arch, Interaction Des., Persuasive Des.

find the right fit for your team

Contact us for custom learning solutions.
GET IN TOUCH

Have questions about UX training courses?

Check out our Q&As. If you don't find the answer you're looking for, send us a message at contact@akendi.com.

I'm not part of a team. Can I still register?

Akendi's courses, workshops, and certifications are for groups of 6 or more participants. We encourage you to gather a group of like-minded team members or colleagues to register and learn together.

How do your workshops and courses work?

We have a full range of UX courses and workshops. You choose which best meets your needs and we adapt it to your specific situation. Workshops are typically between 2 to 5 hours long, while courses are typically full day. A set of courses, along with an exam enables you to be certified in either the UX Design or UX Research stream. We also create custom courses and workshops on topics of interest to your organization.

Do I have to complete the certification within a certain timeframe?

Most participants complete the certification within a one-week intensive program, however, if you are completing UX certification through individual certification days, you have two years to complete. If more time is required, you may request an extension by emailing training@akendi.com.

What is live virtual delivery?

Our certfication sessions indicated as 'live virtual' can be taught online by Akendi instructors leading and interacting with you in real time via video, interactive exercises, and collaboration software. What you would need is a computer setup with high speed internet, webcam, and a modern browser like Chrome.

What background or experience do I need to participate in the UX courses?

UX training welcomes participants from diverse backgrounds including design, psychology, business, engineering, and other fields. No specific UX experience is required for foundational programs, though some familiarity with digital products or services helps. Our Experience Thinking approach values different perspectives since UX work involves understanding how experiences connect across brand, content, product, and service touchpoints. Many successful participants come from non-design backgrounds. Tip: Identify transferable skills from your current role like research, problem-solving, or user interaction that will enhance your UX learning rather than feeling you need to start from scratch.

How do I know which UX training program is right for my goals and experience level?

Program selection depends on your current skills, career objectives, and learning preferences. Foundational programs suit beginners while specialized workshops target specific competencies like research or design. Assessment tools and consultation help match your needs with appropriate training levels. Our decade of experience training 4,200+ professionals helps us guide you toward the most beneficial program. Tip: Define your specific career goals and timeline before selecting training to ensure the program content and format align with your professional development needs.

What should I expect from my first UX training experience?

First training experiences typically include foundational concepts, hands-on exercises, peer collaboration, and practical application opportunities. Expect to learn user-centered design principles, research basics, and how UX connects to business objectives. Following Experience Thinking principles, training covers how design decisions impact complete user experience journeys rather than isolated features. Tip: Come prepared with specific challenges from your current work to practice applying new concepts rather than treating training as purely theoretical learning.

What materials or preparation do I need before starting UX training?

Our programs provide necessary materials including workbooks, templates, and any digital resources. Technical requirements vary by format but typically include reliable internet and video capabilities for remote sessions. Any preparation requirements are provided well in advance.

How much time should I expect to dedicate to UX training and practice?

Time commitment varies by program format from intensive multi-day workshops to extended part-time programs over one week. Effective skill development requires practice beyond formal training sessions. Following Experience Thinking principles, learning happens through application across different experience design contexts.

What if I have concerns about keeping up with more experienced participants?

Training programs accommodate different experience levels through varied activity formats, peer learning opportunities, and instructor support. Mixed experience groups often provide richer learning through diverse perspectives. Our facilitation approach ensures everyone can contribute meaningfully regardless of background. Less experienced participants often bring fresh perspectives that enhance group learning. Tip: Focus on learning from others' experiences rather than comparing yourself to them - your unique background brings valuable perspectives that contribute to group discussions and activities.

How can I maximize the value I get from UX training participation?

Maximum value comes from active participation, asking questions, applying concepts to real challenges, and maintaining connections with fellow participants. Take notes, engage in discussions, and volunteer for exercises rather than passive observation. Following Experience Thinking principles, look for connections between training concepts and your broader work context. Tip: Think about specific work challenges or projects ahead of the training sessions to ask questions and practice applying new concepts immediately rather than waiting until after training.

What teaching methods and learning formats can I expect in UX training?

UX training combines lectures, hands-on workshops, peer collaboration, and practical exercises that mirror real UX work. Interactive formats encourage participation through sketching, prototyping, user testing simulations, and group problem-solving. Our approach emphasizes learning by doing rather than passive information consumption. Tip: Engage actively in all exercise types even if some feel uncomfortable initially - hands-on practice is where real learning happens and confidence builds.

How do instructors adapt to different learning styles and participation preferences?

Instructors use varied activity formats including individual work, small group collaboration, and large group discussions to accommodate different learning preferences. Visual learners benefit from sketching and diagramming while analytical learners engage with frameworks and systematic approaches. Our facilitators recognize and adapt to group dynamics throughout sessions. Tip: Communicate any learning preferences and accessibility needs to instructors early so they can provide appropriate support and ensure you can participate fully in all activities.

What role does peer collaboration play in the learning experience?

Peer collaboration provides diverse perspectives, real-world experience sharing, and networking opportunities that enhance individual learning. Group exercises simulate cross-functional teamwork common in UX practice. Following Experience Thinking principles, collaboration helps participants understand how different roles contribute to holistic experience design. Many lasting professional connections form through the training sessions. Tip: Actively contribute to group discussions and seek perspectives from participants with different backgrounds to broaden your understanding of how UX applies across various contexts.

How do training programs balance theory with practical, hands-on application?

Effective training balances foundational concepts with immediate application through exercises, and example project work. Theory provides frameworks while hands-on practice builds confidence and reveals implementation challenges. Our Experience Thinking approach emphasizes understanding both concepts and practical application in real organizational contexts. Tip: Connect theoretical concepts to your current work situations during training rather than treating them as abstract ideas you'll apply later - immediate relevance improves retention and understanding.

What types of real-world examples will I encounter?

Courses include conversations about examples from various industries, project types, and organizational contexts that demonstrate UX application diversity. Our examples show both successful projects and learning from challenges or failures. Example project selection considers participant backgrounds and interests when possible. Tip: Ask questions about how examples relate to your industry or context rather than assuming examples from other sectors don't apply to your situation.

How do workshop sessions handle questions and encourage participation from all attendees?

Structured question periods and varied participation formats ensure all participants can engage comfortably. Instructors create learning environments where questions are welcomed and different perspectives are valued. Small group activities often precede large group sharing to build confidence. Tip: Ask questions when concepts aren't clear rather than hoping understanding will come later - clarification during training is much more effective than trying to figure things out independently afterward.

What specific UX research skills will I learn and how will I practice them?

Training covers both qualitative and quantitative methods with emphasis on practical application. Following Experience Thinking principles, research skills connect to understanding complete customer experience lifecycles. Practice includes mock interviews, test planning, and results interpretation. Tip: Practice research techniques with colleagues right after training sessions to build confidence and refine your skills before applying them further in professional settings.

How will I develop design and prototyping capabilities during the session?

Design skills development includes wireframing and design thinking methodologies through progressive exercises. Training covers tools and techniques while emphasizing process and reasoning over specific software proficiency. Prototyping practice ranges from paper sketches to digital interactive mockups depending on program focus. Tip: Focus on learning design thinking processes and communication techniques rather than getting caught up in tool mastery - good process thinking transfers across different tools and technologies.

What strategic thinking and business alignment skills will I gain?

Strategic skills include connecting UX work to business objectives, stakeholder communication, project scoping, and demonstrating design value through metrics and outcomes. Training addresses how UX fits within organizational contexts and contributes to business success. Our Experience Thinking approach emphasizes understanding how design decisions impact broader customer experience and business strategy. Tip: Practice translating UX concepts into business language and connecting design decisions to organizational objectives rather than speaking only in design terminology when communicating with stakeholders.

How will I learn to measure and communicate the impact of UX work?

Impact measurement training covers defining success metrics, collecting relevant data, analyzing results, and presenting findings to different stakeholder audiences. Skills include connecting design changes to business outcomes and creating compelling impact narratives. Following Experience Thinking principles, measurement considers impacts across complete experience touchpoints. Tip: Practice explaining UX value in terms that matter to different stakeholder groups rather than using only UX metrics that may not resonate with business decision-makers.

How can I apply what I learn to my current work and projects?

Application involves identifying current work challenges that benefit from UX approaches, starting with small improvements, and gradually expanding UX methods use. Training provides frameworks for adapting techniques to various organizational contexts. Following Experience Thinking principles, application considers how changes impact complete user experience across all touchpoints. Tip: Choose one specific UX technique to implement immediately after training rather than trying to apply everything at once - success with small changes builds credibility for larger UX initiatives.

What challenges might I face when implementing UX practices in my organization?

Common challenges include stakeholder skepticism, resource constraints, process integration difficulties, and resistance to user-centered approaches. Training addresses change management, building UX advocates, and demonstrating value through quick wins. Our experience helps anticipate and prepare for typical implementation obstacles across different organizational cultures. Tip: Start with low-risk projects where you can demonstrate UX value quickly rather than tackling the most challenging organizational problems until you've built credibility and support.

How do I adapt UX methods to work within my organization's existing processes and constraints?

Method adaptation involves understanding current workflows, identifying integration points, and modifying techniques to fit organizational constraints while maintaining UX effectiveness. Training emphasizes practical application over theoretical purity. Our Experience Thinking approach helps find connections between UX practices and existing business processes. Tip: Map your organization's current project workflows before training so you can ask specific questions about integration rather than trying to figure out adaptation independently later.

How do I build credibility and support for UX approaches within my team and organization?

Credibility building involves demonstrating value through small projects, sharing user insights effectively, and connecting UX outcomes to business results. Building allies across different functions and levels helps create organizational support. Following Experience Thinking principles, credibility comes from showing how UX improves complete customer experiences rather than just individual features. Tip: Document and share both successes and learning from UX efforts to build organizational understanding rather than only communicating when everything goes perfectly.

What common mistakes should I avoid when starting to apply UX practices?

Common mistakes include trying to implement too many changes simultaneously, focusing on tools over process, skipping user research, and failing to communicate UX value to stakeholders. Training helps identify and avoid typical pitfalls through guided practice. Our experience with 4,200+ professionals reveals common patterns in successful versus struggling implementations. Tip: Start with user research to build empathy and evidence for design decisions rather than jumping directly to design solutions based on assumptions about user needs.

How do I continue developing my UX skills after initial training?

Continued development involves practicing techniques regularly, seeking feedback, staying current with industry trends, and pursuing specialized training in areas of interest. Real project application provides the best learning opportunities. Following Experience Thinking principles, skill development considers how UX expertise contributes to broader organizational experience design capabilities. Tip: Set aside regular time for UX skill practice and learning rather than only developing skills when immediate work demands require them - proactive development enables better application when opportunities arise.

How will UX training help advance my career and open new opportunities?

UX training provides valuable skills for many roles including product management, marketing, business analysis, and design while potentially opening doors to dedicated UX positions. User-centered thinking and research skills benefit virtually any role involving customer or user interaction. Our alumni network demonstrates diverse career paths enabled by UX training. Tip: Identify how UX skills can enhance your current role performance rather than viewing training only as preparation for a complete career change - immediate value demonstration supports future advancement opportunities.

What career paths are available for someone developing UX skills?

UX career paths include UX researcher, UX designer, product designer, service designer, design strategist, and UX management roles. Many professionals integrate UX skills into existing roles like product management, marketing, or business analysis. Following Experience Thinking principles, career development considers how UX expertise contributes to complete experience design across organizational functions. Tip: Explore different UX specializations through training and initial practice to identify what interests you most rather than committing to a specific career path before understanding the options.

How do I stay competitive and relevant as the UX field continues evolving?

Staying competitive requires continuous learning, skill diversification, industry trend awareness, and adaptation to new tools and methodologies. Professional development through conferences, workshops, and community involvement helps maintain currency. Following Experience Thinking principles, competitive advantage comes from understanding how UX connects to broader business strategy and customer experience. Tip: Focus professional development on emerging skills that complement your existing expertise rather than chasing every trend without strategic consideration of how new skills support your career goals.

What value does UX certification provide for my professional development and career?

UX certification validates your competency, provides structured learning pathways, demonstrates commitment to professional growth, and can differentiate you in competitive job markets. Our programs leverage over a decade of professional UX training experience with 4,200+ successful participants.

Do I have to take the certification in one week? Or, can I spread them out?

Certifications can be taken one at a time over a two-year period. However, by registering for the full week you can pay for the certification, which works out to less than the individual courses when added up.

How do I choose the right certification program for my goals and current skill level?

Your Design or Research Certification choice depends on career objectives, current experience, available time, and learning preferences. Research program content, requirements, industry recognition, and long term outcomes. Consider whether you want foundational certification or specialized credentials in areas like research, design or accessibility. Our guidance helps match your needs with appropriate programs. Tip: Define specific career goals and timeline before selecting certification to ensure the program content, duration, and recognition align with your professional development strategy.

How does certification differ from completing individual workshops or training sessions?

Certification provides a structured one week learning sequence, and credential recognition while workshops focus on specific topics or skills. Certification demonstrates systematic knowledge development while workshops address immediate learning needs. Both serve different professional development purposes. Tip: Use individual workshops to explore UX topics and identify interests before committing to our certification programs that require more time and resource investment.

Is this course right for me?

We assume little experience in the user experience field. The certification is appropriate for anyone working in the creation of digital products who wants to learn about the process, tools and techniques to create successful user experiences. Our certifications are not focussed on how to use specific software applications like Figma or Adobe. We recommend that you read carefully through the certification descriptions before registering to get a sense of the content and outcomes to determine if the certifications are a good fit for you.

English is not my native language. Do I need a TOEFIL, ILTS or GRE score to attend??

Though English language test scores are not required for any of our courses, the course content revolves around abstract concepts and requires a firm grasp of the English language. We recommend a fairly high English language proficiency to ensure that all concepts and exercises are followed and understood (approximately TOEFL 80-90 score, IELTS 5.0 - 6.0 points, TOEIC 785-944 points).

Gain foundational knowledge

Learn how to make your product and service experiences useful, usable, and engaging through Akendi's UX workshops, courses and certifications.
Contact Us!

Meet our facilitators

A collective of industry experts ready to share practical insights, wisdom, and real-world examples.

Tedde van Gelderen

President

Tedde infuses Akendi, its services and methodology with his drive to make customer and user experiences go beyond a singular product or service.

LinkedIn

Jessika Tremblay, PhD

Senior Experience Researcher

Jessika is well-versed in ethnographic methods, interviews, surveys, data analysis, and research design. She has years of experience conducting research in various cultural settings such as East Africa and Southease Asia.

LinkedIn

Leo Poll, PhD

President Akendi UK

Leo thrives on turning technical possibilities into practical solutions by approaching challenges from an end-user perspective with a keen business sense.

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Daniel Iaboni, PhD

Chief Experience Officer

Since 2009, Dan has crafted exceptional website and interface designs to enhance experiences between users, their environment, and their tools.

LinkedIn

Scott Plewes

Chief strategy officer

In the last twenty-five years, Scott has specialized in business strategy, product design, and development in the high-tech sector, with a focus on experience design.

LinkedIn

Tedde van Gelderen

President

Tedde infuses Akendi, its services and methodology with his drive to make customer and user experiences go beyond a singular product or service.

LinkedIn

Jessika Tremblay, PhD

Senior Experience Researcher

Jessika is well-versed in ethnographic methods, interviews, surveys, data analysis, and research design. She has years of experience conducting research in various cultural settings such as East Africa and Southease Asia.

LinkedIn

Leo Poll, PhD

President Akendi UK

Leo thrives on turning technical possibilities into practical solutions by approaching challenges from an end-user perspective with a keen business sense.

LinkedIn

Daniel Iaboni, PhD

Chief Experience Officer

Since 2009, Dan has crafted exceptional website and interface designs to enhance experiences between users, their environment, and their tools.

LinkedIn

Scott Plewes

Chief strategy officer

In the last twenty-five years, Scott has specialized in business strategy, product design, and development in the high-tech sector, with a focus on experience design.

LinkedIn
Clients we've supported with intentional experiences
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Akendi UX Client

Explore expert perspectives

Get a glimpse into our free resources, the latest rumblings from our experts and how we're contributing to the design and research community.
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Akendi's 7 ux design principles

At Akendi, we follow seven UX principles when we create UX designs, conduct heuristic reviews, or analyze usability test results to ensure that people's needs are always kept front and centre.

Proven UX courses, workshops and certifications loved by learners around the world

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Our Story

Our professional UX program has been a beacon of success for over a decade, empowering more than 4,200 professionals across diverse teams. By integrating core experience design and research principles into their work, these participants have not just excelled but become leaders in product and service innovation.

Our collective is a powerhouse of seasoned industry experts, not just instructors, but active professionals in the field. We bring a wealth of practical experience, insightful perspectives, and real-world examples to the forefront of the learning experience. Our mission is to elevate the creation of experiences for customers, citizens, and users.

Join our thriving community of learners, many of whom are already established in the experience design field or have been entrusted with experience design and research activities. Our program equips you with the skills and knowledge you need to excel in your current role and beyond.

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