Masterclass gives you the opportunity to learn from experts on demand. We have compiled a list of courses if you already have a Masterclass account. If you do not have Masterclass not to worry. Similar courses that focus on these areas can be found on other platforms. This list is specific to UX Researchers and UX Designers. However, the skills are applicable in multiple roles, particularly in Product Development.

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UX Researcher

Daniel Pink - Sales and Persuasion

Why: Working with stakeholders can be challenging. Sometimes you have to persuade stakeholders to do research to help fill knowledge gaps. Another application is to get buy-in on your research findings. Pink talks about finding common ground and serving your audience. As a researcher, this can help you share what you have learned with more impact. He covers other material that could help with dealing with resistant or disbelieving stakeholders.

George Stephanopoulos - Purposeful Communication

Why: Similar to the point above, strong communication skills are paramount to have success as a researcher. Often researchers tend to focus on giving as much information as possible. A better tactic is to be purposeful and strategic about what to share. This course has a couple of skills which are always worth improving upon. Mainly, asking the right questions the other one is the time management module. Time management and communication is not often thought about together. It is important to manage your time in order to have the most impact. The more of a chance your stakeholders have to implement your findings the better. This course will have a slight journalistic spin due to Stephanopoulos’ background. I have spoken to other researchers who have tried to learn journalistic skills to apply to their own roles. There are similarities and parallels, like asking questions with a specific purpose.

Bob Iger - Business Strategy and Leadership

Why: Often the key to being a successful researcher within an organisation is understanding the strategy driving the organisation. Your work should help to move that forward with the rich information you can deliver. When you join a company, gaining an understanding as part of your onboarding is important. Staying up to date with the strategy is crucial as it may drastically change. Iger also talks about branding in his course. This could be applied to your branding as a researcher, as a function inside the organisation or as an organisation.

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UX/Product Designer

David Carson - Graphic Design

Why: Learning design techniques or approaches from other fields is helpful. It may not be directly applicable but can lead to inspiration. He covers career advice and more practical and tactical information such as typography. It is always good to take inspiration from parallel jobs or industries. 

Chris Voss Teaches - Art of Negotiation 

Why: When working with stakeholders there is a lot of give and take - often with resource constraints. It depends on what is the most or least critical to give at that moment. Being able to negotiate in these situations is useful as a designer. 

Neil deGrasse Tyson - Scientific Thinking and Communication

Why: deGrasse talks a lot about communication. In one of the sections of his Masterclass specifically preparing for your audience. Thinking about your audience, what they need to know and how they perceive things helps you to massage your messaging. He covers talking to large audiences which happens in design reviews and presentations.

When it comes to upgrading your skills in the UX space it helps to look at other industries and transferable skills. Then think about applying what you learned soon after and sharing it with others. It makes what you learned more sticky.

Did we miss any other Masterclass courses you would recommend? Are there other courses that were helpful to you? Share them in the comments.

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