✔ Learn AI-aware UX design. ✔ Work on realistic conceptual product scenarios. ✔ Build a portfolio-ready UX case study.
APRIL 27 - JUNE 5, 2026
Design the Future of AI-Powered User Experiences
Join the IterateUX AI-UX Design Challenge - a mentor-guided experience where designers explore real product scenarios and build portfolio-ready UX case studies.
Registration for the current challenge is closed, but you don’t have to miss out. Join the waitlist to get early access, priority registration, and updates for the next cohort.
Program Details
🗓️ Registration is now closed
Secure your spot for the next cohort by filling the waitlist form!
🚀 Program Timeline: April 27 – June 5, 2026
6 weeks • Structured, mentor-guided experience
🌐 Format: Remote • Mentor-Guided
Learn from anywhere with expert support
💰 Program Fee: $200 USD
Build a portfolio-ready AI-UX case study
What is the AI-UX Design Challenge?
The IterateUX AI-UX Design Challenge is a mentor-guided learning experience where designers practice solving real-world UX problems in the age of AI.
Participants work on realistic product scenarios involving AI-assisted experiences, exploring areas such as human-AI interaction, trust, explainability, and ethical design.
Through a structured UX process and mentor feedback, participants create a portfolio-ready case study demonstrating real design thinking and product strategy.
Note: This is a conceptual challenge created for learning and portfolio development.
What Makes This Challenge Different
AI-Aware UX Design
Participants explore human-AI interaction, trust, explainability, and ethical design considerations—skills increasingly important as AI becomes part of modern products.
Structured UX Process
Instead of isolated prompts, participants follow a step-by-step design journey from research and ideation to final presentation.
Design Decision Thinking
Learn to clearly explain the “why” behind your design decisions, connecting research insights, product goals, and user needs to your final solution.
Mentor-Guided Feedback
Designers receive constructive feedback from experienced UX mentors, helping them strengthen their design thinking and decision-making.
Soft Skills & Team Collaboration
Participants practice working like a product team—collaborating with peers, sharing feedback, communicating design ideas clearly, and developing skills such as teamwork, collaboration, storytelling, and presenting design decisions.
Portfolio-Ready Case Study
The final outcome is a complete UX case study that demonstrates design thinking, product strategy, and real-world problem solving, not just visual design.
What Participants Will Gain
Design AI-Powered Experiences
Work on realistic AI product scenarios.
Strengthen UX Thinking, Product Strategy & Storytelling
Practice solving meaningful user problems and confidently communicate your design decisions, process, and insights.
Learn AI-Aware UX Patterns
Explore trust, explainability, and human-AI interaction.
Build a Portfolio-Ready Case Study
Create an end-to-end UX + AI project.
Receive Mentor Feedback
Get guidance from experienced UX professionals.
Collaborate with Designers Globally
Learn and grow with a diverse design community.
Practice Real-World Problem Solving
Work through challenges similar to product teams.
Certificate & Community Recognition
Earn a completion certificate, digital badges, and visibility on IterateUX platforms. Winning teams receive social media shoutouts and LinkedIn recommendations.
What Mentors Will Gain
Mentor the Next Generation of Designers
Guide participants as they solve real-world AI-UX design challenges.
Establish Thought Leadership in AI + UX
Share your expertise and contribute to conversations shaping the future of design.
Expand Your Professional Network
Connect with designers, mentors, and industry professionals from around the world.
Strengthen Leadership & Coaching Skills
Develop mentoring, feedback, and design leadership capabilities.
Contribute to a Global UX Community
Help build a supportive ecosystem that empowers designers at every stage of their journey.
Mentor Recognition & Incentives
Receive community recognition, social visibility, and special incentives in appreciation of your mentoring efforts.
Who This Challenge Is For
- UX & Product Designers who want to explore how AI is shaping modern product experiences and apply it in real-world design scenarios.
- Junior and Mid-level Designers looking to strengthen their portfolio with AI-driven case studies and demonstrate future-ready design skills.
- Senior Designers and Design Leads who want to experiment with emerging AI-UX patterns, lead the team, and expand their strategic design thinking.
- Career Switchers and Aspiring Designers who want structured guidance, hands-on challenges, and mentor feedback to accelerate their UX journey.
Prerequisites: This is a conceptual design challenge created for learning and portfolio development. It is not affiliated with any real company or client project.
Program Timeline
Week 1: Kickoff, Foundations & Problem Alignment
Form your team and anchor your project in a meaningful problem space.
Key Activities
- Team formation
- Domain research
- Selecting a challenge prompt
Outcome
- Defined problem statement
- Team working agreement
- Initial project hypotheses
Week 2 – Research & AI Risk Mapping
Understand user needs and the ethical boundaries of your AI solution.
Key Activities
- User interviews
- Competitive analysis
- Identifying AI risks (bias, trust, and failure points).
Outcome
- Research insights summary
- User pain point map
- AI trust & safety guidelines
Week 3 – AI Opportunity & Framing
Identify exactly where AI adds value to the user journey.
Key Activities
- Current-state journey mapping
- Defining the AI’s role (Assistant vs. Automation)
- HMW statements
Outcome
- AI Opportunity Map
- Behavior-focused personas
- High-level solution direction
Week 4 –Concept & Interaction Flow
Translate your strategy into a tangible end-to-end user experience.
Key Activities
- Concept sketching (Crazy 8s)
- Mapping AI interaction loops (Input → AI → Output)
- Low-fi wireframing
Outcome
- User scenario diagrams
- End-to-end interaction flows
- Low-fidelity wireframes
Week 5: Design, Trust & Iteration
Refine your solution into a high-fidelity, believable AI product.
Key Activities
- Mid-fi prototyping
- Designing for AI uncertainty/failure states
- Gathering mentor feedback
Outcome
- Clickable mid-fi prototype
- AI communication patterns (tone & explainability)
- Edge case & failure state designs
Week 6: Storytelling & Final Showcase
Package your process into a professional case study and present to the community.
Key Activities
- Case study structure
- Presentation coaching
- Live showcase to the IterateUX community.
Outcome
- Portfolio-ready UX + AI case study
- Professional presentation deck
- Certificate of completion
Event & Workshop Dates for the April-June Challenge
- Kickoff Event : Monday, April 27th, 2026
- Workshop 1: The AI Job To Be Done (JTBD) (by Mike Donahue)
- Workshop 2: AI for Research & Problem Framing: Insights, Risks & Opportunities Part 1 (by Letícia Braga Maestri)
- Workshop 3: AI for Research & Problem Framing: Insights, Risks & Opportunities Part 2 (by Letícia Braga Maestri)
- Workshop 4: AI Feature Augmentation: Designing Practical AI Experiences in Real Products (by Pushkar P)
- Workshop 5: The Architect’s Inquiry: Orchestrating AI Agents for System Prototyping (by Rodrigo Engell)
- Workshop 6: From Work to Wow: Crafting a Portfolio-Ready AI Case Study & Presentation (by Padma Shetye)
- Final Presentation Day 1: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026
- Final Presentation Day 2: Thursday, June 4th, 2026
- Final Presentation Day 3: Friday, June 5th, 2026
- Wrap up Party: Monday, June 8th, 2026
The numbers speak for themselves
500+
Designers Supported
20+
Mentors Globally
15+
Countries Represented
10+
Design Challenges Organized
Testimonials from Past Participats
"If you want some experience and networking look for community groups who run design exercise challenges like IterateUX - run by volunteers, to small cost, and the opportunity to work with others in the same boat as you. No pretense here. I was amazed at the effort they put into it as volunteers. Great community!I’m not saying it’s perfect, but it will take you through the whole design process in 6 weeks and give you some practical experience without promising you the world (and a job/career) at the end of it. But you might make some valuable friends and contacts."
Alan Biggs
Product Designer / User Experience Strategist
"I could tell from the start that the design challenge organized by the Iterate UX team was thoughtfully planned and executed. The challenge provided a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and collaborate with a team of motivated designers who were dedicated to problem-solving and refining ideas for solutions that would benefit our assigned client."
Lana DeGuzman
UX Designer
Frequently asked questions
What is the IterateUX AI-UX Design Challenge?
The IterateUX AI-UX Design Challenge is a 6-week, mentor-guided learning experience where designers solve real-world UX problems in the context of AI.
Participants work on realistic product scenarios and create a portfolio-ready UX case study showcasing design thinking, product strategy, and AI-aware UX skills.
Is this a real project or a conceptual challenge?
This is a conceptual challenge grounded in real-world product scenarios.
You won’t build actual AI models instead, you’ll focus on designing thoughtful, ethical, and user-centered experiences around AI systems, just like real product teams do.
Who is this program best suited for?
This challenge is designed for:
- UX & Product Designers (Junior → Senior)
- Designers exploring AI in UX
- Career switchers entering UX
- Senior designers looking to expand strategic & AI thinking
Whether you're early in your career or experienced, the program adapts to different levels through mentorship and collaboration.
What will I create by the end of the program?
By the end of the challenge, you’ll build a complete, portfolio-ready UX case study, including:
- Problem definition & research insights
- AI-aware product concept
- User flows & interaction design
- Wireframes or prototypes
- Design reasoning & storytelling
This is designed to be directly usable in your portfolio.
Do I need prior experience with AI to join?
No prior AI experience is required.
The program is designed to help you learn AI-aware UX concepts, including:
- Human-AI interaction
- Trust & transparency
- Ethical design
You’ll learn by doing, with mentor support throughout.
Do I need prior experience with UX Design to join?
Basic familiarity with UX concepts is helpful. You’ll be guided throughout the program with mentorship and a structured framework.
How is this different from other design challenges?
Unlike typical challenges, this program offers:
- Structured UX process (end-to-end)
- Mentor-guided feedback
- Focus on AI + real-world scenarios
- Emphasis on design thinking & decision-making
- A portfolio-ready outcome (not just visuals)
It simulates how real product teams work.
Will I receive mentorship during the program?
Yes. You’ll receive ongoing feedback from experienced UX mentors, helping you:
- Improve your design decisions
- Strengthen your UX thinking
- Refine your case study
Mentorship is a core part of the experience.
Will I work individually or in a team?
You’ll work in a collaborative team environment, similar to real product teams.
This helps you build skills in:
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Presenting design decisions
How much time should I commit each week?
On average, participants should plan for 10-12 hours per week, depending on their pace and depth of exploration.
What tools will be used during the challenge?
Participants typically use tools such as:
- Figma
- Miro
- Notion
You’re free to use tools you’re comfortable with.
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. Upon completion, you’ll receive:
- Certificate of completion
- Opportunity for Community recognition, LinkedIn shoutouts & recommendations (for top teams)
What if I can’t complete everything in 6 weeks?
The program is structured to guide you, but it’s flexible.
Even if you don’t complete everything during the program, you’ll still leave with:
- Strong foundations
- Structured progress
- A clear path to finish your case study
Is this program remote?
Yes, the challenge is fully remote and conducted through the IterateUX community platform (Discord and collaboration tools).
What is the cost of the program for the Participant?
The program fee is $200 USD for the full 6-week experience.
Why should I join this challenge now?
Because:
- AI is reshaping product design
- Companies expect designers to understand AI + UX
- This program helps you build future-ready skills + portfolio proof
It’s not just learning—it’s positioning yourself for the next generation of UX roles.
Will this help me get a job?
Yes—this challenge is designed to:
- Strengthen your portfolio
- Improve storytelling & case study quality
- Demonstrate real-world thinking + AI awareness
These are exactly what hiring managers look for today.
Can senior designers benefit from this?
Absolutely. Senior designers use this to:
- Explore AI-driven product thinking
- Practice leading teams
- Strengthen strategic storytelling
Do mentors receive compensation?
Yes. Mentors receive a $130 honorarium per team as appreciation for their mentoring contributions.
Where should I contact if I have any questions?
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us design.challenge@iterateux.com
💬 You can also connect with us through the IterateUX community on Discord. Go here to join our server. Leave any questions you have for us on 🚀ai-ux-design-challenge channel and we'll answer them asap!
We’re happy to help and guide you at every step!
Got a question?
Email us at design.challenge@iterateux.com