Syllabus

The course subject matter and learning outcomes

MODULE 1

Setting the scene for tables

Set the groundwork for thinking and talking about tables, including their basic “parts” and what makes data tables a challenging thing to work on.  We’ll set the scene for what we’ll learn in the course.

• Get an industry-specific introduction to data tables
• Grasp the common challenges in working with data tables
• Learn the foundations and anatomy of data tables

MODULE 2

UX workflow for data tables

Learn the step-by-step process for getting up to speed, identifying UX problems, working with data and testing with users.

• Learn to embrace the data you’re working with and take command of it in your design
• Learn to rate the design on how well it meets user needs, expectations, and goals
• Adapt your UX workflow to the data table context (related to your own onboarding and collaborating with team members)
• Develop the ability to test and prioritize functionality according to the type of experience you’re building

MODULE 3

Visual design best practices

Understand not just visual fundamentals but also how you can leverage simple ‘UI’ to make huge impacts in your table experience.

• Learn to present complex and dense information in a clear, organized, and visually appealing manner, minimizing clutter and maximizing readability
• Develop the ability to establish a visual hierarchy that highlights essential data points and guides users’ attention
• Gain expertise in designing for mobile, ensuring that data tables remain readable, accessible and useful
• Master the principles of data alignment and formatting within table cells & columns to improve readability, organization and overall appearance
• Discover how to add visual embellishment to enhance the scanning experience

MODULE 4

Helping users find what they need

Experiences can heavily skew towards finding, navigating and filtering through huge datasets for a result, we can this “information-seeking” experiences. In this module, you learn how to make this type of experience second nature to users, helping the UI facilitate this organic iterative process so that users fluidly find what they need.

• Organize data in a logical manner that supports the information-seeking goals of users (columns, defaults, general navigation)
• Design search and filtering capabilities to assist users in quickly locating and narrowing down the information they seek
• Explore intuitive interactions in the table like sorting, grouping and viewing options to allow users to rearrange and categorize data
• Appreciate the design principles which guide each pattern we explore so you can apply them in the right circumstances

MODULE 5

Table Interactions

Fundamentals of interaction design for tables and beyond. See how to optimize for tables while keeping efficiency and workflow in mind.

• Learn how to prioritize and present many actions for a data table in a way that doesn’t crowd the UI
• Apply the concept of scaling to your actions on a table so you can optimize for users who want to apply actions to a lot of rows, but not be terrified in the process (batch actions and other UI feedback)
• Apply actions in the context of the entire table view, so that your interactions are clear, obvious and reassuring to users