Springboard vs Designlab

What is Springboard?

Springboard provides career-ready, online bootcamps in data science, design, and coding that can be completed part-time in less than a year. Springboard uses a project-based curriculum to help students build in-demand job skills. Students will learn from industry insiders and have the opportunity to build a professional network.

Highlights: Classes are online and asynchronous, so students work from anywhere at their own pace. Springboard provides its learners with extensive resources, including student advisors, personal mentors, career coaches, and networking opportunities. Peer advisors offer direct support while completing a course. Personal mentors hail from real software companies and can assist with ideas and goals. Career coaches help graduates with their job search strategy, such as resume building, interview practice, and pay negotiation tips while the online community connects current students with alumni and professional partners.

Financing/scholarship options: Students have payment options to match their needs. Tuition refunds and deferred tuition plans are available, though these options are contingent on terms and job placement. Scholarships are available for underrepresented populations to help diversify the tech industry.

What makes Springboard unique?

Springboard has free learning tutorials in UX Design, Python, digital marketing, SEO, mobile application development, and more. Springboard even hosts an annual conference for all community members to connect and learn best practices from one another.

What is Designlab?

Designlab aspires to three main goals: providing affordable education, offering a challenging curriculum, and emphasizing mentorship and community. Designlab offers an intensive online program called UX Academy as well as shorter courses that teach design fundamentals, UX, and UI. Students are paired with professional designers who mentor and provide personalized feedback on their work.

Highlights: Interested students may enroll in either a full-time, 15-week program or a part-time, 28-week program. The full-time program requires 40 hours each week, career coaching sessions, two weekly mentor meetings, and group work. The part-time program is similar but provides more flexibility, with just 20 hours of coursework each week and one weekly mentoring session. Additionally, shorter, four-week courses are available, including Design 101, UI Design, UX Research and Strategy, and UX: Interaction Design.

Financing/scholarship options: Students may cancel within the first two weeks of any course and still receive a full refund. Graduates can access a tuition reimbursement guarantee, though it requires students to meet with career services consistently, pass a portfolio review, and complete several additional steps that help improve chances of employment.

What makes Designlab unique?

Graduates have successfully found employment with major tech companies, including Microsoft, Facebook, PayPal, and IBM. Designlab also offers free, seven-day courses in Photoshop, Figma, and Sketch.