EffectiveUI and Galvanize Launch Experience Architect Program

Intensive 22-week course provides training for high demand professions in user experience design

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Feb 25, 2013, 08:28 ET

DENVER, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Galvanize, a Denver-based startup ecosystem creating a platform to launch breakout companies through the pillars of venture capital, community and curriculum, in partnership with EffectiveUI, a leading user experience agency, is launching the second installment of gSchool. The full-time, intensive Experience Architect program, which takes place in Denver, will prepare students for a career in user experience (UX) design. Enrollment is open today through April 1, and classes begin on June 10.

The digital experience industry is realizing significant growth as companies look to engage with customers more and more through multiple online channels. According to Onward Search, a digital marketing and creative staffing company, requests to fill positions in the user experience field have increased 171% from 2011 to 2012.

The gSchool Experience Architect course is designed to help people learn the skills they need to achieve high-demand careers in UX. The curriculum, created and taught by some of the top practitioners in the field, focuses on the unique skillset needed in experience design, which is often not taught as part of traditional design degree programs.

"A focus on UX design was a perfect progression for the second installment of gSchool. This is another innovative industry with such great implications for the future of business," said Chris Onan, managing director for Galvanize. "Students in this program are set up for success – they will be studying in the unique Galvanize micro-environment, just 20 feet from roughly 65 companies who need to hire this kind of talent."

Experience Architects, or UX Designers, are generally responsible for creating, facilitating and executing the user experience for digital interfaces, such as those for mobile, web and desktop apps. They combine visual and interaction design principles with user, business and stakeholder requirements, as well as technology platform constraints to create positive experiences and emotional engagement with a company's brand. Professionals with Experience Architect qualifications generally work for an agency or with a company in-house.

Computerworld reports that salaries in the UX field are on the rise, citing a study from The Creative Group, with starting annual income ranging from $70,000 to $110,000 depending on the location. According to the article, UX professionals in the Bay Area can expect an even higher range.

"We meet so many talented designers with an interest in specializing in UX, but who don't have the specific experience or training," said Anthony Franco, president and founder, EffectiveUI. "It's more than just designing with a focus on user needs. This program will help give designers the very specific, unique, robust skillset needed to secure jobs in this high-demand field."

The Experience Architect session will include 11 different units that take place over 22 weeks, following the EffectiveUI methodology. The class is full-time and limited to 24 students, who will come away with the knowledge and skills to lead a UX project from research through prototyping, as well as soft skills such as communication and fostering collaboration among teams.

Students interested in the program can apply by April 1, 2013. To apply or find more information, visit http://www.gschool.it/experiencearchitect.

About Galvanize
Galvanize creates an ecosystem for entrepreneurship through venture capital, community and curriculum. Galvanize launched its first 30,000-square-foot collaborative workplace facility at 1062 Delaware on October 22, 2012, and is home to some of Denver's hottest digital startups. The Galvanize facility is uniquely designed for collaboration and to help companies at every stage of the startup continuum – one individual with an idea working in the shared space, a team of three working in dedicated stations, and suites for companies from ranging from six to 20+ employees. Galvanize is designed to support the development of fast growth digital companies through mentorship, venture funding and flexible space to innovate. More information is available at http://galvanize.it/.

About EffectiveUI
Founded in 2005, EffectiveUI is a full-service user experience agency that simplifies complex experiences, bringing value to people's lives. By researching and articulating user needs, our team of customer insight, design and technology services experts create custom applications that improve digital interactions and enhance emotional engagement with a company and brand. EffectiveUI works with some of today's top companies – including American Greetings, Boeing, CenturyLink, eBay, Kaspersky Lab, National Geographic, Navy Federal Credit Union, and NextGear Capital – to provide a strategic vision and to increase revenue, brand awareness, customer loyalty and usability. EffectiveUI is a WPP company (NASDAQ: WPPGY). WPP is the world's largest communications services group.

To learn more about EffectiveUI, visit www.effectiveui.com, send an email to [email protected] or call 888-310-5327.

EffectiveUI is a trademark of EffectiveUI, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE EffectiveUI