How much does Designlab cost?

Short foundational courses are $399; the full UX Academy bootcamp is $7,249 (with a $500 discount if you complete the foundations course first).

Does Designlab guarantee a job?

Eligible students can qualify for a job guarantee, but it requires completing all coursework, passing the final project, and participating in career services.

Is Designlab still operating?

Yes, though a major competitor (CareerFoundry) closed in February 2026 — verify Designlab's current terms directly before enrolling, as bootcamp businesses can change quickly.

Designlab (UX Academy)

Mentor-led UX/UI design bootcamp with a job guarantee, for building a portfolio and freelance or full-time design career.

UX/UI Design

course

intermediate

paid · $399 short courses / $7,249 UX Academy bootcamp

Visit Designlab (UX Academy)

Overview

Designlab has run its UX Academy bootcamp since 2015, pairing every student with a vetted, industry-experienced design mentor for weekly 1:1 project reviews. The part-time program (typically 5-6 months) takes students from design fundamentals through a full portfolio of case studies, and includes career services support. Pricing ranges from $399 for shorter foundational courses to $7,249 for the full UX Academy program (with a $500 discount if you complete the foundations course first); some students qualify for a job guarantee tied to completing coursework and career services requirements. Independent review sites (Course Report, SwitchUp) rate it around 4.5-4.8/5, with students praising mentor quality and hands-on projects, and Designlab reports strong hiring outcomes among engaged graduates. This niche has seen real turbulence — a well-known competitor (CareerFoundry) shut down in early 2026 — so it's worth double-checking Designlab's current enrollment status and guarantee terms directly before paying, as bootcamp businesses can change quickly. Best for career-changers who want structured mentorship and a portfolio to freelance or get hired in UX/UI design.

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What's included

1:1 mentor project reviews
Full portfolio of UX case studies
Career services and job-search support
Job guarantee (conditions apply) on eligible programs

Pros

Real 1:1 mentorship from working designers
Strong independent review scores
Published graduate hiring outcomes
Shorter, cheaper courses available to test the waters first

Cons

Full bootcamp is a significant $7,249 investment
Job guarantee has strict eligibility requirements
Bootcamp sector has seen a major competitor closure recently — verify current terms before paying

Frequently asked questions

Quick info

EarningsUX designers often earn $60-100k+ salaried, or $50-150/hr freelance

Difficultyintermediate

Typecourse

Pricepaid · $399 short courses / $7,249 UX Academy bootcamp