Path Unbound vs. Interaction Design Foundation: Which is Best for Me?
The main difference between Path Unbound and Interaction Design Foundation is Path Unbound offers a comprehensive, end-to-end UI/UX design learning program with 1-on-1 instructions while Interaction Design Foundation offers shorter video courses based on a membership model, with mentorship available as an option.
Path Unbound vs. Interaction Design Foundation
1.1 Overview
While Path Unbound and Interaction Design Foundation offers similar UI/UX design courses, there are some key differences in methods of instructions, course structures, and ways of accessing courses.
Features
1:1 instructions
Career Services
Homework Grading
Portfolio Coaching
On-Demand Learning
Designer-Written Curriculum
Path Unbound
Yes
Yes, by expert-instructors
Yes
Yes, extensive coaching
Yes
Yes
IDF
Only on select plans
No
No
Some limited-scope coaching
Yes
Yes
1.2 Path Unbound vs. Interaction Design Foundation: Course Offerings and Learning Approach
Path Unbound specializes in comprehensive, end-to-end UI/UX design education while Interaction Design Foundation offers shorter video courses on-demand with “personal coach” on select membership plans.
Features
Path Unbound
IDF
Type of Courses
Path Unbound specializes exclusively on design disciplines.
Interaction Design Foundation offers shorter video courses on-demand with “personal coach” on select membership plans.
Learning Approach
Path Unbound offers personalized instruction from a curated team of expert instructors.
Most courses at Interaction Design Foundation requires self-learning with limited mentor support.
1:1 Instructions
Path Unbound
IDF
Yes, by team of expert instructors
Career Services
Path Unbound
IDF
Yes, by expert instructors
No
Homework Grading
Path Unbound
IDF
Yes
No
Portfolio Coaching
Path Unbound
IDF
Yes, extensive coaching
Some limited-scope coaching
On-Demand Learning
Path Unbound
IDF
Yes
Yes
Designer-Written Curriculum
Path Unbound
IDF
Yes
Yes
1.2 Course Offerings and Learning Approach
Type of Courses
Path Unbound
IDF
Specializes exclusively on design disciplines.
Interaction Design Foundation offers shorter video courses on-demand with “personal coach” on select membership plans.
Learning Approach
Path Unbound
IDF
Personalized instruction from a curated team of expert instructors.
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1.3 Path Unbound vs. Interaction Design Foundation: Curriculum and Mentorship
Path Unbound offers university-level curriculum and 1-on-1 instructions weekly while Interaction Design Foundation offers mentorship only on select membership plans.
Features
Path Unbound
IDF
Curriculum Quality
Path Unbound offers university-level curriculum, ensuring high-quality graduate work.
Interaction Design Foundation’s curriculum is continually updated by industry experts.
Mentorship
Path Unbound has award-winning instructors hand-selected for each student.
Interaction Design Foundation offers mentorship only on select membership plans.
1.4 Path Unbound vs. Interaction Design Foundation: Course Structure and Support
Path Unbound offers a flexible but structured course schedule while Interaction Design Foundation offers video courses for self learning only.
Features
Path Unbound
IDF
Course Structure
Path Unbound provides flexible but structured course schedule optimized for efficient learning outcomes.
Interaction Design Foundation offers video courses for self learning only (with some limited mentoring on a higher-level membership).
Career Support
Path Unbound offers specialized assistance in helping students find the best fit in the job market.
Interaction Design Foundation offers no career services.
1.3 Curriculum and Mentorship
Curriculum Quality
Path Unbound
IDF
University-level, ensuring high-quality graduate work.
Learning Approach
Path Unbound
IDF
Award-winning instructors hand-selected for each student.
1.4 Course Structure and Support
Course Structure
Path Unbound
IDF
Flexible but structured course schedule optimized for efficient learning outcomes.
Career Support
Path Unbound
IDF
Specialized assistance in helping students find the best fit in the job market.
1.5 Path Unbound vs. Interaction Design Foundation: Pricing
Path Unbound offers more flexible pricing starting at $1,600 for Portfolio School and $6,800 for School of UI/UX Design and starting at $29/month for its on-demand learning model while Interaction Design Foundation offers short courses only with a membership model ranging between $15-$240 per month.
Courses
Design Career Program
Portfolio School
On-Demand Learning
Path Unbound
$6,800
$1,600
$29/month
IDF
Not offered
Not offered
$15-$240/month
Design Career Program
Path Unbound
IDF
$6,800
Portfolio School
Path Unbound
IDF
$1,600
Not Offered
On-Demand Learning
Path Unbound
IDF
$29/month
Why Choose Path Unbound Over Interaction Design Foundation?
Choosing Path Unbound over Interaction Design Foundation might resonate more with you if you need a rigorous career program with weekly accountability to help you land jobs vs. taking the leisurely pace of self learning without much guidance from experienced instructors.
Rigorous and Comprehensive Career Program
Path Unbound provides a comprehensive and rigorous career program for aspiring UI/UX designers to launch their careers after graduation. Accountability and strong foundation is at the core of Path Unbound’s programs.
Affordability, Flexibility and Value
The cost-effective pricing of Path Unbound makes high-quality design education more accessible, reducing financial barriers for students eager to break into the creative industry.
Highly-Vetted Instructional Team
The personalized instructions at Path Unbound stands out, offering tailored guidance that aligns closely with each student’s individual learning style and career goals. This one-on-one attention ensures that you not only learn but excel.
FAQs
I'm completely new to design. Will this be the right choice for my next career?
We are glad you are interested in exploring design as your next career! It is a wonderful field with many opportunities, as you can read up on our Career Paths page. Job growth is optimistic and salary range is on the higher end compared to many other industries.
With that being said, you will have to actually learn and work hard in order to find out 2 things - do you like it and are you good at it. No one can tell you if this is for you, but yourself. Our job is to provide the right guidance with our industry expertise and a high-quality pool of instructors.
How long does it take to transition to design?
You can expect to complete our Certificate of Design in 6-8 months depending on the number of hours you commit to every week. We generally recommend at least 10-15 hours per week.
Unlike many "bootcamps", we do not encourage an accelerated program approach because design is a serious craft that cannot be learned in a few weeks. Rather than fast and furious, we'd rather make sure you learn it well and learn it right.
With our flexible financing options, we'd like to make your career transition as easy as possible with full support as fewer financial hurdles.
If you need a customized payment split other than what we stipulated in our Tuition page, feel free to talk to us by booking an admission call. We are all about helping each student individually!
Do you have student success stories?
Yes we sure do! We regularly update our student work and success stories in our Student Outcomes page.
Will the knowledge you teach be applicable to different countries?
Yes, no matter where you are in the world, the language of design is universal. You might find yourself needing to learn a few local customs and practices that are particular to the region you live and work in, but the general principles of design is the same everywhere in the world in the digital space.
Do you offer job placement after your programs?
While we do not have a job guarantee or job placement due to the reasons we specified in the "Why don't you have a job guarantee like other design schools" below, we do place students to work with startups during the Portfolio School phase in their program to make sure they gain real world experience. This experience will make sure students are well-prepared for design interviews.
What Students Say
Hear what our students have to say about Path Unbound, and how studying with us transformed their careers.
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