From Design Thinking to UX Expertise: A Design Specialist’s Success Story

When Wen Chee, a design thinking specialist, decided to advance her skills, she knew that expanding into UX and UI design would unlock new opportunities in her career. Here’s a closer look at the milestones that shaped her journey as she transitioned from design thinking to UX/UI expertise with Vertical Institute.

Related: UI/UX Design Meets AI: Key Insights for All Career Stages

Wen Chee’s Journey: 5 Key Milestones from Design Thinking to UX/UI Expertise

1. Bridging Design Thinking with UX/UI Fundamentals

Wen Chee entered Vertical Institute’s UX/UI Design course with a solid foundation in design thinking but recognised the need to deepen her skills in the technical and aesthetic areas that UX/UI demands. While design thinking grounded her in user-centred problem-solving, she knew that UX/UI skills like user research, information architecture, and prototyping were essential for creating usable, appealing digital products.

 “It was a natural step for me,” she said, “to expand my skills in UX design and to keep growing both professionally and personally.” Vertical Institute’s structured curriculum gave her a smooth transition from her design thinking background into core UX/UI principles, helping her transform abstract ideas into practical, well-designed solutions.

2. Gaining Hands-On Experience in a Collaborative Setting

While Wen Chee’s design thinking skills were valuable, she found that hands-on experience was key to making her knowledge job-ready. Vertical Institute’s course emphasises practical learning through interactive tutorials, group exercises, and live projects. She particularly enjoyed the Zoom breakout sessions, where she could collaborate with peers, exchange perspectives, and develop her skills in a team setting. 

“We were given so many opportunities to be hands-on in whatever we were learning,” she shared. “Collaborating with my peers added depth to my learning experience, allowing us to bounce ideas off each other.” This collaborative approach allowed her to test and refine her ideas in real-time, enhancing her confidence to apply UX design methods in professional contexts.

3. Building a Portfolio-Ready Capstone Project

One of the standout features of Vertical Institute’s UX/UI Design course was the Capstone Project, an end-to-end UX design challenge. Every class activity supported a specific phase of this project, allowing Wen Chee to build a polished, portfolio-ready product progressively. 

“At first, I thought, ‘Oh no, it’s 21 hours!’” Wen Chee admitted. “But every activity in class represented a goal within my Capstone Project, so I didn’t have to worry about extra workload.” She demonstrated creativity and technical skills by addressing a real-world problem through the complete UX design process, from user research and ideation to prototyping. Her Capstone Project is now a concrete example of her abilities, showing her expertise in carrying an idea from concept to execution.

4. Cultivating Confidence in a Supportive Learning Environment

For Wen Chee, Vertical Institute provided more than technical education; it offered a supportive community focused on growth. Describing it as “more than just an education provider, but a nurturing place,” Wen Chee felt empowered by instructors and peers, who encouraged her questions and guided her development. 

“It’s where I’ve cultivated not only skills but also confidence in how I can thrive in the UX world,” she shared. This positive environment helped her acquire new skills and build the confidence to succeed in UX design. 

5. Managing Course Load with Practical Application

Initially, Wen Chee was concerned about balancing the 21-hour course with her day-to-day schedule. However, she soon found that each class activity was directly tied to her Capstone Project, making the course manageable and practical. “It’s really manageable,” she encouraged others, “and I really encourage you to go for it.” She could build her skills efficiently without feeling overwhelmed by applying each lesson directly to a specific project goal. Now that she’s completed the course, Wen Chee confidently recommends it to others, assured that the course’s practical, structured approach makes a big impact without burdening students and professionals.

Related: 5 Ways to Learn UI Design from Scratch

Conclusion

Wen Chee’s background in design thinking gave her a strong foundation in user-centred problem-solving, and gaining UX/UI skills allowed her to expand this approach with a new level of depth and practicality. By combining her expertise with new technical abilities, she’s now equipped to approach challenges from multiple angles creatively and precisely. Her journey shows the value of upskilling to remain adaptable and impactful in a fast-evolving industry.

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About Vertical Institute

At Vertical Institute, we’re shaping the future of work by preparing individuals for the jobs of tomorrow. We specialise in teaching in-demand skills, fostering the next generation of changemakers and innovators through our world-class tech courses and certifications.

Vertical Institute is accredited as an Approved Training Provider (ATO) by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and The Institute of Banking & Finance Singapore (IBF). All our courses are government-subsidised and eligible for SkillsFuture Credits usage and NTUC UTAP Funding.