✔ 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.
Program Details
🗓️ Registration
March 23 – April 17, 2026
🚀 Start Date
April 27, 2026
⏱ Duration
6 Weeks
🌐 Format
Remote · Mentor-Guided
💰 Price
$200 USD
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, Onboarding & Challenge Introduction
Get oriented with the program, meet mentors and peers, and explore the challenge brief, goals, and expectations.
Key Activities
- Program kickoff & community introduction
- Team formation & collaboration setup
- Challenge overview, timeline, and deliverables
- Introduction to AI-aware UX principles
- Tool setup (Figma, Miro, Notion, etc.)
Outcome
- Selected challenge problem statement
- Defined goals and success criteria
Week 2 & 3 – Research, Insights & Problem Framing
Dive deep into the problem space, conduct research, analyze insights, and define the core user needs and opportunity areas.
Key Activities
- Define users, product context, and AI role
- Research planning and lightweight user research
- Identify risks, limitations, and ethical considerations
- Explore trust, transparency, and AI boundaries
- Synthesize insights using affinity mapping and themes
Outcome
- Research insights & key findings
- User needs, pain points, and opportunity areas
- Clear problem definition and design direction
Week 4 –Ideation & Concept Exploration
Generate ideas, explore potential solutions, and shape a strong product concept that addresses the problem.
Key Activities
- Brainstorm and prioritize solution concepts
- Define user journeys and experience flows
- Design human–AI interaction patterns
- Concept reviews and mentor critiques
Outcome
- Selected product concept
- UX flows, journey maps, and initial wireframes
- Defined solution rationale
Week 5: Design, Iteration & Optional Validation
Create wireframes or prototypes, refine your solution through feedback, and optionally validate your design assumptions if time permits.
Key Activities
- Create wireframes, UI concepts, or prototypes
- Iterate designs based on mentor and peer feedback
- Improve usability and interaction clarity
- Optional validation of design assumptions (if time permits)
Outcome
- Refined design solution and prototype
- Improved UX flows and interaction patterns
- Clear design decisions and reasoning
Week 6: Final Presentation & Case Study Showcase
Present your final concept, share your design journey, and transform your work into a compelling portfolio-ready case study.
Key Activities
- Craft a compelling UX case study narrative
- Structure portfolio storytelling and presentation
- Document design decisions and AI considerations
- Final presentation with mentors and IterateUX community
Outcome
- Portfolio-ready UX + AI case study
- Final presentation showcasing design thinking and impact
Event & Workshop Dates
- Kickoff Event : Monday, April 27th, 2026
- Workshop 1: To be announced
- Workshop 2: To be announced
- Workshop 3: To be announced
- Workshop 4: To be announced
- Final Presentation Day 1:
- Final Presentation Day 2:
- Final Presentation Day 3:
- Wrap up Party:
The numbers speak for themselves
500+
Designers Supported
20+
Mentors Globally
15+
Countries Represented
10+
Design Challenges Organized
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?
es—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 - Discord https://discord.com/channels/708154751724027928/1052306037300015114 once you register
We’re happy to help and guide you at every step!
Got a question?
Email us at design.challenge@iterateux.com