If you have searched for you have already stumbled upon what many industry veterans call the "gold standard" of UI bootcamps. But why is the 2021 update such a big deal? Why are designers still raving about a course update from two years ago?
While new AI tools (like Magic Copy or Figma AI) have emerged, the taught in the 2021 update (spacing, contrast, typographic scale, button states) are timeless. In fact, because AI can generate layouts in 2 seconds, employers now pay more for designers who understand why a layout is good or bad. That "why" is exactly what Erik Kennedy teaches.
| Feature | Erik Kennedy (2021 Update) | Shift Nudge | YouTube Tutorials | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Practical UI polish & spacing | Layout & grid theory | Specific effects | | Time to complete | 8 Weeks (self paced) | 12+ Weeks | Infinite | | 2021+ Standards | Figma Auto-layout, Dark mode, Design tokens | Mostly layout theory | Hit or miss | | Feedback | Private Slack community (Active as of 2023) | Peer review | None | | Price | Mid-range (~$500-700) | High-end (~$1200) | Free (low quality) |
The 2021 update addressed the "Great Resignation" shift in tech. As companies moved fully remote and design tools (Figma) reached peak maturity, the required skill floor rose drastically.
Published: October 2023 Reference: The definitive 2021 course update
This article is an independent review. We are not affiliated with Erik Kennedy, but we highly respect the craftsmanship of the 2021 curriculum.
When you start, focus on the "Visual Spacing" video first. Fixing your padding/margins will improve your current work by 50% within one hour. Are you a graduate of the 2021 update? Let the community know your results in the comments below.