Sustainable by Design: Shaping UX Student Perspectives Through Coursework

Sustainability is increasingly important in user experience (UX) design, yet it remains inconsistently integrated into UX education. This study examined the effects of embedding sustainability concepts throughout an undergraduate UX design course. Fifteen students participated in a semester-long course that incorporated sustainability-focused experiential projects into the UX design process. Pre- and post-course surveys containing Likert-scale and open-ended questions were used to assess changes in student understanding and perceptions of sustainability. Results indicated significant increases in students’ perceived knowledge of sustainability in UX design. Qualitative findings also showed that students developed broader understandings of sustainability that extended beyond environmental concerns to include social, ethical, and economic dimensions. The findings suggest that integrating sustainability into UX coursework through project-based learning may help prepare future designers to create more ethical, inclusive, and sustainable digital experiences.