UX Design Apprenticeship: Tuition-Free 3-Month Industry Training in Human-Centered Design, Mentorship, and Portfolio Development for BIPOC Student Creatives in Tech

UX Design Apprenticeship at BRIDGEGOOD
Location: BRIDGEGOOD Design Studio, Jack London Square, Oakland, CA
Length: 3 months | Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts
Cost to Students: $0 — Tuition-free. No application fees. No hidden costs. Ever.

Design for social good — and launch your career doing it.
BRIDGEGOOD’s UX Design Apprenticeship (UXDA) is an immersive, three-month experience designed for emerging creatives ready to break into tech and product design. With direct support from industry leaders including Google.org, Adobe, the Golden State Warriors, Salesforce, and others, the program delivers a high-impact blend of in-person training, mentorship, and real-world project work — all from our human-centered innovation studio in Oakland, California.

Since 2009, BRIDGEGOOD has supported thousands of students in launching careers in design and technology. We proudly serve underrepresented talent: first-generation college students, community college learners, women of color, and adult job seekers historically excluded from the tech pipeline.

This is not a bootcamp. It’s a mission-driven community focused on access, equity, and long-term career success.

Program Overview

UX Design Apprenticeship (UXDA) is built to provide a professional, career-launching experience that mirrors the demands of the modern workplace:

Three-Month Real-World Studio Experience: Apprentices work in teams to solve design challenges that mirror actual UX workflows — from user research to wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

Direct Access to Tech Mentors: Students are matched with professionals from companies like Google, Meta, YouTube, and Twilio for one-on-one mentorship.

Case Study Projects and Portfolio Reviews: Participants graduate with at least two complete case studies — portfolio-ready and backed by real feedback.

Equitable Opportunities for Nontraditional Students: We remove barriers to access. No prior experience is required. No tuition. Stipends may be available to eligible participants.

Academic Credit Options: For students enrolled in community or university programs, the apprenticeship may qualify for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

20 Scholarships Awarded Per Year: We select 20 student designers annually who demonstrate creative potential, passion for social good, and a commitment to learning.

What You Will Learn

Our curriculum is led by working professionals in the design field and covers:

Human-centered design thinking

UX research methodologies

Journey mapping and persona development

User interface (UI) design in Figma

Accessible and inclusive design principles

Usability testing and iterative prototyping

Storytelling through case studies and portfolios

Collaboration in cross-functional team settings

Responsible use of generative AI in design workflows

Why BRIDGEGOOD

What sets BRIDGEGOOD apart is our people-first approach. We don’t just teach software — we invest in students’ whole creative journey. Participants get access to our beautiful community studio, free meals during sessions, technology support, and — most importantly — a network of mentors, peers, and supporters committed to their growth.

Everything we do is guided by four pillars:

People: Centering empathy, dignity, and equity

Purpose: Aligning design education with mission-driven work

Passion: Fueling creative confidence through meaningful projects

Product: Teaching students to deliver real, impactful outcomes

We teach students how to design for impact — and how to thrive in workplaces that value both creativity and compassion.

Our Impact

900 design careers launched since 2009

1,300 students served annually

4,200+ hours of career and job training

95 percent BIPOC participants

80 percent women of color

35 industry partners engaged in programming

Graduates hired at Etsy, YouTube, Beyond, Adobe, and Twilio

Get Involved

Tech workers, corporate teams, and design professionals can play a direct role in shaping the future of our apprentices:

1. Donate

Support stipends, meals, and materials for student apprentices. Every contribution directly supports access and opportunity.

2. Mentor

Sign up to mentor a student designer during the apprenticeship. We’ll match you with someone based on shared goals and experience.

3. Host

Sponsor a site visit, panel discussion, or portfolio review. We bring students to your company — or you can visit our studio in Oakland.

4. Share

Follow us: linkedin.com/company/bridgegood

Visit: bridgegood.org

Use the hashtag #DesignForSocialGood

The Future of UX Is Inclusive

We believe the design industry is strongest when it reflects the full diversity of society. At BRIDGEGOOD, we are not just training the next generation of UX designers — we are shaping future leaders, storytellers, and advocates for change.

This is what design for social good looks like in action.

Join us. Mentor with us. Donate to support the next UX Apprentice.
Let’s build an equitable design future — together.

Donate through Benevity
Visit: bridgegood.org/donate

Volunteer: bridgegood.org/volunteer

Contact: shaun@bridgegood.org | elisa@bridgegood.org