March 2025

This past month, the governing faculty voted to offer a graduate certificate in Automotive UX to students across campus. Below are some details on that program.

Purpose the Graduate Certificate

Automotive UX is the research, design, management and implementation of the user experience within the automotive industry. Vehicles are now being more defined by the software needs of the user as much as they are by the mechanical and engineering needs of the vehicle. The certificate will bring together classes on both design and software that will help students be prepared to work on projects related to transportation. The curriculum will bring together classes from both design, information and engineering backgrounds providing students an additional learning outcome to their degree program.

With Michigan’s unique position as a global hub for the automotive industry, this graduate certificate program provides students with the opportunity to engage with industry professionals, develop portfolio-ready projects, and gain relevant skills that align with industry needs. Students who complete the certificate will be well-positioned for roles in UX design, research, and related fields in the automotive industry. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate in Automotive UX, students will be able to:

1. Identify the key differences between automotive UX and other digital interfaces: Understand how designing for in-vehicle screens differs from web, mobile, and desktop experiences, considering factors like safety, accessibility, and distraction mitigation. 

2. Apply UX principles to automotive interface design: Demonstrate an understanding of screen layouts, typography, touch targets, and other UX considerations specific to the automotive environment.

3. Conduct basic UX research for automotive applications: Utilize competitive analysis techniques to evaluate trends in industry and inform design decisions. 

4. Design high fidelity designs for in-vehicle interfaces: Design high fidelity graphics that illustrate in-vehicle functionality and usability.

5. Work with industry tools and standards: Gain familiarity with industry-standard UX tools and relevant automotive guidelines.

Present UX work in a professional context: Develop and communicate design solutions through wireframes, presentations, and client-facing materials.

Acknowledgments

Jim Rampton, Josh Lee, Jackie Wolf, Stephanie Brenton, Robin Brewer, Kristen Havens, Tawanna Dillahunt, Laura Elgas, Vardan Sargsyan (MSI 25’)