The 2021 update was the last "pure" version before the AI hype cycle. It focuses on hand-crafted craft, which is ironically rarer and more valuable today than ever. If you have typed "learn ui design by erik kennedy updated 2021" into Google, you are likely frustrated with your current progress. You know the tools, but your interfaces look "off."
This article breaks down exactly what the 2021 update changed, why Erik Kennedy’s method crushes traditional learning, and whether this course is the missing piece in your design career. Erik Kennedy is not a YouTuber; he is a principal designer at a high-growth SaaS company (formerly of Amazon and Microsoft). His course, Learn UI Design , launched years ago, but the 2021 update was unique. It wasn't just a cosmetic reskin of the existing modules. learn ui design by erik kennedy updated 2021
| 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 was the last "pure" version
In the chaotic world of online design education, separating "fluff" from "function" is a nightmare. You’ve probably sat through hours of tutorials where an instructor fiddles with Auto-layout for 45 minutes without explaining why one shade of blue converts better than another. You know the tools, but your interfaces look "off
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.
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.
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.