UX design course for beginners in New Zealand. Learn UX design from scratch in 5 weeks.

The Agile UX Design JumpStart is IDNZ’s course for beginners. In five weeks you learn user research, good interface design, Figma prototyping, usability testing and how to use AI in UX, on one small case study. You get unlimited one-to-one mentoring from New Zealand mentors at times you choose, and you can start any day.

Enrol and start today Book a free 15-minute call

5.0 from 90+ Google reviews1,000+ students and business owners since 2016

Length
5 weeksA few hours a week, your timing
Price
$2,597 + GST$2,986.55 incl. GST
Format
OnlineStart any day
Mentoring
Unlimited one-to-oneAt times you choose
Assessment
Your case studyAnd a playback. No exam
Next step
Step up to CAUXPDEFor $2,557 + GST

Learners fromAir New Zealand · ANZCO Foods · Auckland Council · MBIE · University of Auckland · AUT

Is the JumpStart right for you?

Made for people new to UX, and people who want to try it first.

The JumpStart is for anyone curious about UX who wants real skills and a first portfolio piece before they commit to a full certification.

Career changers

Thinking about a move into UX from retail, admin, hospitality or study? Try the real work for five weeks and finish with a case study to show.

Graphic and web designers

You already have the eye. Add research and testing, and see how UX changes the way you design.

Marketers, analysts and developers

You already work alongside designers. Learn the UX process so you can run research, sketch ideas and speak the same language.

Business owners

Use what you learn on your own website or app, so customers find what they need without getting stuck.

What you need to start

  • No design, tech or coding experience. Week 1 starts with what UX is and why it matters to a business.
  • Good English, written and spoken.
  • A laptop and a reliable internet connection.
  • A few hours a week for 5 weeks, at times that suit you.

Choose something else if

What you’ll learn · Week by week

Five weeks, one case study, from first interview to portfolio piece.

Each week you learn one part of the UX process in the online portal and use it straight away on a small case study. Your mentor reviews the work as you go. Hover over or tap a week to see what happens, the AI tools you’ll try and what your mentor checks.

  1. Week 1

    Fundamentals of UX Design

    Research the people you design for

    • UX principles
    • User research
    • Personas
    • User flows

    You makeInterview notes, a persona and a user flow

    Week 1

    Learn what makes an experience good, then talk to real people and turn what they tell you into a persona and a flow.

    AI you’ll try

    ChatGPT or Claude to draft interview questions, Miro AI to cluster your notes

    Mentor checkYour interview questions, before you run them

  2. Week 2

    Good Design and Prototyping

    Sketch it, then make it clickable

    • UI principles
    • Responsive design
    • Wireframes
    • Figma

    You makeSketches, wireframes and a clickable Figma prototype

    Week 2

    Learn the rules good screens follow, sketch lots of ideas quickly, then build the best one as a working prototype in Figma.

    AI you’ll try

    Figma AI and Uizard for first drafts, Khroma for colour

    Mentor checkYour wireframes, before you go high fidelity

  3. Week 3

    Usability Testing and Iteration

    Watch people use it, then fix it

    • Test plans
    • Running tests
    • Analysing results
    • Iterating

    You makeA test plan, your findings and an improved prototype

    Week 3

    Put your prototype in front of real people, spot where they get stuck, and change the design based on what you saw.

    AI you’ll try

    Maze for remote tests, Otter.ai for transcripts

    Mentor checkYour test plan, and what you plan to change

  4. Week 4

    Accessibility, Mobile and AI in UX

    Design for more people and smaller screens

    • Accessibility
    • Mobile UX
    • AI in UX
    • Design challenge

    You makeAn accessibility check and a mobile version of your design

    Week 4

    Check your design works for people with different needs and on a phone, use AI where it saves time, and start your playback.

    AI you’ll try

    Figma AI, plus AI checks for contrast and alt text

    Mentor checkYour playback story, before you present it

  5. Week 5

    Project Playback and Portfolio

    Present it and start your portfolio

    • Stakeholder playback
    • Portfolio review
    • Next steps

    You makeA stakeholder presentation and your first portfolio case study

    Week 5

    Present your case study the way you would to a client, get feedback from your mentor, then turn it into your first portfolio piece.

    AI you’ll try

    ChatGPT or Claude to tighten your case study write-up

    Mentor checkYour case study, and the next step for you

1:1
Unlimited mentoring, booked at times that suit you
1
Case study you take from research to a tested prototype
0
Exams. You’re assessed on your project and your playback

Start with the basics, finish with a portfolio piece.

$2,597 + GST. Start any time. Pay online, or we can invoice you or your employer.

Enrol in the UX JumpStart Book a free call

AI in your UX process

Use AI to move faster, not to skip the users.

UX teams now use AI at every stage. In the JumpStart you learn where it saves you hours and where it gets things wrong, so you stay the designer and AI does the busywork.

  1. Discover · AI draft

    Discover

    Research faster

    AI does
    Clusters your interview notes and drafts a persona.
    You do
    Check every line against what people actually said.
    • ChatGPT
    • Claude
    • Miro AI
    • Askable

  2. Design · AI draft

    Design

    Get to a first draft faster

    AI does
    Turns a rough sketch into a first wireframe and suggests colours.
    You do
    Decide what earns a place on the screen, and why.
    • Figma
    • Figma AI
    • Uizard
    • Khroma

  3. Test · AI draft

    Test

    Learn from users faster

    AI does
    Transcribes test sessions and groups the problems people hit.
    You do
    Watch the recordings and choose which problems to fix first.
    • Maze
    • Otter.ai
    • Figma

Ready to design AI products, not just use AI tools? Designing AI features and agents is a full module in the UX product design certification (CAUXPDE).

Your mentors

Real feedback on your work, from day one.

Bring your interview questions, a sketch or a Figma link and talk it through. Book as many one-to-one sessions as you need during your 5 weeks, at times you choose.

Sai Constantine, IDNZ mentor Your mentor

Sai Constantine

Head of Digital, IDNZ

Sai mentors JumpStart students in interface design, Figma and using AI tools well, and helps them shape their first portfolio piece. Before IDNZ, Sai worked in digital media at Fairfax and led sales and business development at Domainz (Melbourne IT) and MyRepublic. He went through a Creative Technologies degree.

  • UI design
  • Figma
  • Design systems
  • AI design tools
  • Portfolios
Book a free call About Sai LinkedIn
Seann Lautner, IDNZ mentor Your mentor

Seann Lautner

UX mentor and business coach, IDNZ

Seann mentors JumpStart students in user research and usability testing, and helps beginners plan their next step into UX. Formerly a UX researcher at Air New Zealand and Vodafone NZ, and a Certified Scrum Master and agile coach.

  • User research
  • Usability testing
  • Agile UX
  • Career coaching
Book a free call About Seann LinkedIn
From our students

What it’s like to study with a mentor beside you.

Two IDNZ graduates on learning online with mentor support. JumpStart students work with the same mentors.

1,000+
students and business owners trained since 2016
5.0
from 90+ Google reviews
86%
of graduates advance their career within 12 months (IDNZ graduate survey)
10+
years each mentor has spent marketing in New Zealand
“The course challenged me to think to a more human-centered design, by learning the agile way with a real project.”
Irene FortoulIDNZ graduate, UX/UI and Graphic Designer
“I was looking for something where I can study online with mentor support at the same time working full time.”
Rohan SatghareIDNZ graduate, Retail Sales and Operations

Price and how to start

One price, and you start when you’re ready.

No waiting for an intake. Enrol on any day, start straight away, and take the next step to product design when the five weeks are done.

UX JumpStart

$2,597 + GST

$2,986.55 including GST

  • Five weeks of UX lessons in the online portal, open 24/7
  • Unlimited one-to-one mentoring, booked at times that suit you
  • A case study you take from research to a tested prototype
  • Your stakeholder playback and first portfolio piece
  • An IDNZ certificate when you finish
Enrol in the UX JumpStart Book a free call

Pay online by card when you enrol, or ask us to invoice you or your employer.

Start any time

Enrol on any day and begin straight away. Your five weeks run from the day you start.

Your path to product design

Start here. Step up when you’re ready.

  1. UX JumpStart

    $2,597 + GST

    5 weeks · You are here

    The UX basics, a case study and your first portfolio piece.

  2. Step up to CAUXPDE

    $2,557 + GST

    11 weeks · Optional

    Product design with a real client project, the CAUXPDE exam and a real internship. See the certification

  3. Apply for UX and product roles

    With a portfolio, internship experience and post-graduation support from your mentors.

Both steps together$5,154 + GST over 16 weeks

Finished the JumpStart? Ask for your step-up enrolment. Already confident with the basics? Go straight to CAUXPDE for $4,789 + GST.

  1. Enrol online

    Pay by card, or ask for an invoice if you or your employer would rather pay that way.

  2. Get your portal login

    Week 1 opens straight away. Book your first mentor session for a time that suits you.

  3. Work through your case study

    One week at a time, with your mentor reviewing the work as you go.

Questions

Questions about the 5-week UX JumpStart.

What beginners ask about time, mentoring, what you make, cost and the step up to CAUXPDE.

Still deciding?

Ask a mentor whether UX suits you in a free 15-minute call. No portfolio needed.

Book a free call
Compare all certifications
How long is the UX JumpStart, and how much time does it take each week?

The UX Design Essentials JumpStart runs for 5 weeks, one topic a week. Most people plan on a few hours a week: the week’s lessons in the online portal, the next piece of your case study, and as many mentor sessions as you want to book. It’s built to fit around a full-time job.

When can I start the UX JumpStart?

Any day. The JumpStart doesn’t wait for an intake: you get your portal login when you enrol, start week 1 straight away and book your first mentor session at a time that suits you. Your 5 weeks run from the day you start.

How much does the UX JumpStart cost?

$2,597 + GST ($2,986.55 including GST), and the price is fixed for 2026 and 2027. Pay by card when you enrol, or we can invoice you or your employer. It covers the 5 weeks of lessons, unlimited one-to-one mentoring, your case study review, the final presentation and your IDNZ certificate.

Is there funding for the UX JumpStart?

MCDF business funding and StudyLink don’t cover the JumpStart. Plenty of students have their employer pay for it as professional development, and we can invoice your employer directly. Email godigital@id.ac.nz with their billing details.

Can I do the UX JumpStart from outside New Zealand?

Yes. It’s fully online and open to international students. You book mentor sessions at times that work for you and your mentor, and the price is the same.

Is the UX JumpStart for complete beginners?

Yes, that’s who it’s for. You don’t need any design, tech or coding background. If you’ve finished high school or have some work experience, you can enrol. Week 1 starts with what UX is and why it matters to a business.

How does mentoring work on the UX JumpStart?

It’s unlimited and one-to-one. During the week you book sessions with a New Zealand mentor at times you choose and bring whatever you’re working on: interview questions, a sketch, a Figma link or test notes. You get specific feedback you can use straight away.

What will I have made by the end of the UX JumpStart?

One small case study, built a piece at a time: a persona and a user flow, wireframes, a clickable Figma prototype, a usability test with the changes it led to, and a short presentation of the whole project. In week 5 you shape it into your first portfolio piece.

How is the UX JumpStart assessed?

There’s no exam. You’re assessed on your case study and a short presentation in week 5, the same way design work is reviewed in a real team. Your mentor gives you feedback on both, and when you finish you receive an IDNZ certificate.

Will the UX JumpStart get me a job in UX?

It gives you the foundations and a first portfolio piece, which is a real start, but most junior UX roles want more depth and more than one project. That’s why the JumpStart leads into CAUXPDE, which adds a real client project, a full portfolio case study and a real internship. Your mentor can tell you honestly where you stand.

How do I step up from the JumpStart to CAUXPDE?

When you finish the JumpStart, you can join the next CAUXPDE intake for $2,557 + GST instead of the full $4,789 + GST. Email godigital@id.ac.nz with your name and the intake you want, and we’ll set up your enrolment.

Is it cheaper to do the JumpStart first or go straight to CAUXPDE?

Going straight to CAUXPDE costs less: $4,789 + GST for 11 weeks. The JumpStart and then the step-up come to $5,154 + GST over 16 weeks, $365 more. Start with the JumpStart if you want to try UX before committing, or you’d like more time on the basics. Go straight to CAUXPDE if you already know UX is for you.

Which tools does the UX JumpStart use?

Figma for wireframes and prototypes, Miro for mapping and workshops, Jira for organising the work and Askable for finding people to test with. You also try AI tools such as ChatGPT for research and persona drafts, Uizard for quick layouts, Khroma for colour, Maze for testing and Otter.ai for interview notes.

Does the UX JumpStart teach AI for UX design?

Yes. Week 4 covers AI in UX, and you use AI tools throughout: drafting personas, speeding up wireframes, checking colour and accessibility, and transcribing interviews. You also learn where AI gets it wrong, so the decisions stay grounded in what real users do.

What is a good UX design course for beginners in NZ?

Look for one that has you design something real, gives you feedback from a working practitioner and fits around your job. IDNZ’s UX JumpStart does that in 5 weeks: online lessons, unlimited one-to-one mentoring from New Zealand mentors and a small case study you can show. If you need an NZQA qualification or a student loan, a diploma may suit you better. The certification comparison page sets out the options.

Is the UX JumpStart an NZQA qualification?

No. It’s a short industry course from the Institute of Digital Marketing New Zealand (IDNZ), so StudyLink loans don’t apply. What you finish with is practical: real UX skills and a case study reviewed by your mentor.

What is the double diamond in UX design?

It’s a way of working that UX teams use, drawn as two diamonds. In the first you explore the problem widely (discover), then narrow it to the one that matters (define). In the second you explore possible solutions (develop), then test and refine the best one (deliver). The JumpStart takes you through both diamonds in 5 weeks, on one small project.

Start learning UX this week

Five weeks, unlimited mentoring, one project you can show.

Start any day. $2,597 + GST, then step up to CAUXPDE for $2,557 + GST when you’re ready.

Enrol in the UX JumpStart Book a free call

  • Learn, Apply & Earn

    You learn a concept one day and start applying it at work the next.

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    Pivot & Work Agile

    You learn to incorporate an agile mindset - the new way of working and project management.

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    Beginner Friendly

    No I.T. or coding background is required for this course. Anyone can jumpstart their journey into UX design confidently.

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    Industry-led Content

    Learn the course that’s enhanced with industry best practices and work-connected learning methodologies.

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    1:1 Mentoring

    Access weekly meetings with your digital mentor to discuss your learning with open-ended discussions to help you further understand.

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    24/7 learning Portal

    Learning material is delivered to you via our learning portal 24/7.

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    Evening Classes

    With the option of evening classes, upskilling without affecting your day job is now possible.

  • A smiling woman with glasses, shoulder-length hair, wearing earrings, in an office setting.

    Sarah Eddy

    EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO MD
    ”Completing the IDNZ certification has assisted me to grow hugely within our business, expanding into a space where we had limited capability and knowledge. Now our organisation is benefitting from me having fresh, up-to-date IP which I can put into practice daily.”

  • Black and white photo of a young man with short, slightly tousled hair, wearing a dark shirt, standing on a beach with the ocean and sky in the background.

    Harrison Mudgway

    NEW ZEALAND MTB NATIONAL
    ”With the ongoing support and weekly cloud meetings, I was able to complete this course with ease while working full time. The modules are easy to understand, helped a lot with my time management and ensure I didn’t miss important principles.”

  • Black and white portrait of an Asian woman with shoulder-length hair smiling at the camera, wearing a floral top.

    Ying Watson

    STAKEHOLDER MANAGER
    ”After 3 months of studying the digital marketing course every night (after putting the children to bed), I am so excited I passed the exam and become a Certified Digital Marketing Expert. Thank you, Sai Constantine and Seann Lautner for your generous mentoring.”

  • Black and white portrait of a young man in a suit and striped shirt, smiling at the camera.

    Rohan Satghare

    RETAIL SALES & OPERATION
    ”While looking for options, I was looking for something where I can study online with mentor support at the same time working full time. I was also looking for quality course material which will help me with my future job. IDNZ was offering both so I decided to go with IDNZ.”

  • A woman with long dark hair smiling, with some hair strands across her face, in black and white.

    Irene Fortoul

    UX/UI DESIGNER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER
    ”It was an amazing journey, right from the start until the end. The course challenged me to think to a more human-centered design, by learning the agile way with a real project. Thank you so much to my mentor Seann Lautner, who was incredibly patient.”

IDNZ | 2026 UX Design insights

A strong UX foundation matters because it directly affects retention, conversion and revenue. Companies that prioritise UX see dramatic results: every $1 invested can yield up to $100 in return (a 9 900 % ROI), and 88 % of users won’t return after a poor experience. Good UX also improves key business metrics — optimised sites and apps can increase conversions by 200–400 %, while even small retention gains translate to 25–95 % profit growth. In short, robust UX isn’t just about pleasing users — it’s a measurable driver of competitive advantage and long-term business success.