Dr. Brenda K. Whitley

Brenda Whitley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of UI/UX Design at International University Canada, where she teaches and supports students across the School of Creative Media & Design. Her academic work focuses on user-centered design, examining how digital products and interfaces are researched, designed, and tested to meet the real needs of the people who use them.

Throughout her early academic career, Brenda Whitley has built a teaching approach grounded in empathy-driven design practice, helping students understand that effective interface design begins with understanding user behavior, needs, and pain points before any visual design work takes place. She encourages students to treat user research as a foundational step rather than an afterthought.

In her courses, Brenda Whitley draws on design case studies, usability testing methods, and current research in human-computer interaction to help students build practical, employable design skills. Students explore topics such as user research methods, wireframing and prototyping, usability testing, and accessibility considerations in digital product design.

As an Assistant Professor within the Department of UI/UX Design, Brenda Whitley also supports curriculum development that keeps pace with evolving design tools and industry expectations. She works closely with senior faculty across the School of Creative Media & Design to ensure that coursework reflects current best practices in user experience design and emerging design technology.

Brenda Whitley is especially attentive to helping students build a strong design portfolio, recognizing that practical project work is often what employers evaluate most closely. She designs coursework around realistic design briefs, encouraging students to document their design process clearly and present their work the way professional design teams do.

Recognizing that many of her students are working professionals studying online, Brenda Whitley structures her courses with accessible design tools, clear project milestones, and consistent opportunities for feedback. Her approach to online teaching emphasizes building a practical design process that students can apply directly in freelance work or within design teams.

Students who study under Brenda Whitley often highlight her ability to make user experience design feel approachable while still maintaining professional rigor. Her long-term goal as an educator is to help students develop the research, design, and testing skills needed to launch successful careers in UI/UX design and digital product development.