Google UX Course: Worth it?

A few months back, I finished the Google UX Design Certificate course.

I’m a third-year interactive media design student and already work as a designer, so UX wasn’t totally new to me—wireframes, prototypes, user flows? I’ve been there. Still, I wanted to level up my knowledge and spruce up my portfolio, so I gave it a shot.

If you’re just starting out, this course is honestly a dream. It’s super clear and covers all the basics—figuring out what users need, sketching ideas, testing stuff out. For someone with zero experience, it’s a perfect way in—easy to get, not too pricey, and it’s got that Google stamp of approval. For me, though? A lot of it was like revisiting old notes. I knew the drill, but I kept going to see what I could pick up.

The big win for me was their research angle. Google’s all about the details—user interviews, surveys, usability tests—like, super organized and data-packed. It’s not the wild, creative vibe I usually roll with in interactive media, but it brought some serious structure to how I work. Now my portfolio’s got these slick case studies that feel legit, thanks to those tricks. Some folks say it’s too “Google-y” and boxed-in if you’re not aiming for a tech giant job, but I bent it to fit my style just fine.

Worth it? Totally if you’re new—it’s a rock-solid start. For me, it wasn’t a must, but it gave my skills a nudge and my portfolio some shine. That certificate’s a nice bonus too!