The Ironhack Blog

You know what they say… New year, new me? And with 2022 here, we come with new beginnings. We are excited to announce that Ironhack is expanding our remote hybrid immersive courses across the US. We’re expanding our presence further to continue changing lives and helping people build a fulfilling career in tech. You’ll notice that our social media handles have all been renamed from IronhackMIA to IronhackUS . This will allow us to keep an inclusive community and hub for those taking part in Ironhack from all over the United States. If 2021 taught us anything, it’s the power of working and learning from anywhere in the world. At the same time, collaborating and building communities makes us stronger and more resilient. We believe the future of learning is all about combining both with technical skills. Our expansion will cover remote and hybrid programs focused on full-stack web development, UI/UX design, and Data Analytics in new US cities. With this expansion the Ironhack team looks forward to enriching local tech communities and becoming the best coding bootcamp in these new cities (announcement coming soon!). If you’re wondering which program is for you here are all the details: Ironhack Miami - This location is perfect for those located close to campus and looking to take part in in-person immersive bootcamps. Classes will be in person every day out of our US hub in the heart of Miami Tech. Mingle with like minded students and spend time networking and collaborating with our co-working space neighbors. Ironhack Remote - A fully remote online program where zoom is your virtual classroom. This allows you to take Ironhack from anywhere in the world to become that digital nomad you’ve always dreamed of. Ironhack remote online courses consist of live instruction all from the comfort of wherever you need to be. Ironhack Hybrid - Why not have the best of both worlds! Take Ironhack Remote-Live courses while having a dedicated hub in your city. Students will be able to collaborate in a co-working space multiple times throughout the cohort. The goal is to empower you to work together while providing you the community to grow your network, get immersed in the tech scene, and build your tech career. As we expand our coding bootcamp programs to new cities, you will find our emphasis on virtual collaboration as well as meetups with bootcamp graduates, speaker series with tech industry professionals, one-on-one time with our career services team, and much more. This gives us the ability to not only support students but also future employers and tech companies looking to hire local talent and give back to their community. Investing in local communities is key to upskilling and building a talent pipeline that empowers communities. Ironhack Miami will always be our flagship US campus. We love this beautiful city that created the blueprints for the future of Ironhack campuses. Rest assured, we will continue to operate in person coding bootcamp cohorts and community events out of our home at Building.co. At Ironhack, our goal is to be one of the most student success driven tech bootcamps at scale. We do this every day by putting our students first in everything we do. So, stay tuned for the next Ironhack campus announcement. It might just be in your city! Ready to enroll? - Applications are open for all of our 2022 courses. Apply today to get started on your new career in tech.

If you've heard of digital currencies such as bitcoin or Ethereum, then you've probably also heard of the blockchain - the global network of nodes, or computers, that allow digital currencies to be traded. On the blockchain, every single digital currency transaction is recorded on a public ledger. And this is where smart contracts come in, as the mechanism that governs this decentralized, cutting-edge form of currency. If you're asking 'what is a smart contract?' then you're certainly in good company as it's been one of the most commonly asked questions in the digital space over the past year. So let's deep dive into what smart contracts are and how they are used. What is a smart contract? A smart contract allows digital currencies - or other forms of digital contract and transactions - to be self-executed on a computer-controlled trusted network. When were they invented? Smart contracts were invented in 1994 by a cryptographer, Nick Szabo, as a means of recording digital contracts and their data in code. When certain conditions were met, the contract was activated. The new approach acted to remove the need for third-party, trusted bodies - such as financial institutions. The only issue was that the blockchain didn't exist in 1994 - even though the theoretical concepts were in place. By 2009, blockchain was in place thanks to Bitcoin. And several years later, other digital currencies such as Ethereum were in circulation, with smart contracts coming into play by 2015. Key things to know about smart contracts 1. Smart contracts are written in computer code data 2. They operate on the blockchain, meaning that their data are stored publicly in an accessible ledger and on a permanent basis. 3. The contracts can be held between two or more people or entities. 4. Smart contract transactions are processed via blockchain, which enables them to be automatically sent without the need of a third party to administer the transaction. 5. The agreed transactions will only take place when the agreed conditions of the contract are met. What can smart contracts be used for? The scope of smart contracts is as broad as the scope of blockchain itself - vast! The most obvious example might relate to digital currencies, but smart contracts can also be used for the sales of physical goods, where the transaction is being delivered via a digital currency. Here's an example: Say Duncan wants to buy Scott's car. They make an agreement using bitcoin and a smart contract. The smart contract is between Duncan and Scott and it says 'when Duncan pays Scott 500 bitcoin, Scott will transfer the car ownership to Duncan'. Once the agreement is in place, it is permanent and cannot be changed. Duncan can safely pay Scott the agreed price of sale without any trust issues. No third parties are needed - such as banks, brokers or legal advisors. No commissions are paid, no delays result and there are no third-party administration issues. Once the condition of the contract is met - e.g. the payment is initiated, the contract is automatically executed. Already, smart contracts are being used for insurance sales, financial services and trades, legal processes, credit approval, crowdfunding arrangements and supply chain management. Businesses can run their payroll using blockchain smart contracts and governments can manage voting processes fairly and accurately. These are just some of the myriad examples that show the huge scope and application of this fascinating technology. How blockchain makes smart contracts possible Trust Because smart contracts cannot be changed once agreements are in place, they are inherently trustworthy. This is because they are recorded in the shared database of the lockdown which is owned by a vast number of people (decentralised) and not under the control of any entity, government, company or individual. Enhanced cybersecurity Its decentralised nature also means that it's basically impossible to hack the blockchain, vastly improving cybersecurity. For a hacker to attack the blockchain itself or its smart contracts it would need to be able to successfully hack into over 50% of the nodes on the system. How are smart contracts initiated? Smart contracts can be built across a variety of blockchain platforms, such as NEO and Ethereum. They are developed in the platform's coding language. this is just one reason why the demand for coders is rocketing as the world locks on to the vast potential of digital currencies, blockchain and smart contracts. How smart contracts could change our world Because smart contracts remove the need for third parties, there are potential benefits to be had. For example: Customers will no longer need to pay commission to intermediaries. Consider how many third parties can be involved in complex transactions, such as a house sale, and you can see just how much scope there is to strip out third-party middleman costs and time. Transactions can be far quicker without middlemen and their own checks and processes Fraud is reduced and cybersecurity improved thanks to the decentralised, permanent and open-access nature of blockchain. Find out more Interested in learning more about data, cybersecurity, smart contracts, coding, UX / UI and a multitude of other digital topics that will help to advance your career? Ironhack can help you to reach your goals faster - with accelerated bootcamps delivered by experts in the field . Learn flexibly, using the mode and pace that suits you, and position yourself for an exciting new career in an industry where businesses need skills and talent - fast!

Cryptocurrency, a fascinating piece of technology, is considered a potential curse on bankers as it has the potential to render them obsolete. The way the internet of things (IoT) and data technology, revolutionized information, cryptocurrency does the same for money. Criminals have taken advantage of this platform to commit crimes against innocent internet users. Transactions are free of charge, and users enjoy a lot of anonymity. You can still lose your password or money by paying the wrong person. A computer security course can help you avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime. Cryptocurrency: The End of the Money? Money can be described as the catalyst for the best and worst human endeavors; it has been vital in global economic growth. The recent invention of Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency, has made money to exist virtually or digitally, and each transaction is secured using cryptography. Digital money can be created, stored, and exchanged online, just like regular money. Unlike ordinary money, which bankers create, cryptocurrency is based on mathematical truths that stand alone. In the real world, you rely on 3rd parties like banks to keep track of money as it moves from one account to another, and they usually charge handsomely for that. These middlemen are removed, making cryptocurrency cheaper. A cryptocurrency like Bitcoin has an open-source code that is readable and shareable. Anyone or everyone can use the code; any change made to it is open and transparent. The deregulation of cryptocurrency attracts criminals who enjoy being anonymous while defrauding someone. Types of Cryptocurrency Fraud that Affect Cybersecurity Fake money can be invented but creating a counterfeit cryptocurrency is impossible. This may be the biggest win cryptocurrency has against money. Every system has a flaw that criminals can exploit. No one person, institution, or government keeps tabs on any transactions made on the cryptocurrency platform. Activities like money laundering are easily carried out without governments noticing. The anonymity found when using cryptocurrencies has boosted businesses that involve illegal drugs and pirated items. Businesses that accept bitcoins as a form of payment also face risks that could affect their daily operations. These information technology security concerns may arise from: A ransomware attack: Imagine your files or database being encrypted, rendering systems and files that rely on them unusable. For them to be decrypted, you have to pay a ransom, probably a large amount of money. When payment is made through banks, the malicious actors are traceable. The only perfect way to stay hidden is to receive the ransom in the form of cryptocurrency. The anonymity nature of cryptocurrency makes it impossible to associate a person or a group with such an attack. Ever since cryptocurrencies came to life, ransomware attacks and payments have risen. After a cyber-attack, companies have paid up to $11 million to anonymous addresses. Investment scams: Cryptocurrency came in with a big buzz; everyone was excited about this new form of currency. Scammers got wind of this and started luring victims into fake investment opportunities. Websites promising huge returns from investing in crypto are created. Supposedly, the more money you put in, the bigger the return. But when you want to withdraw your profits, the site asks for more crypto from you. In the end, you get nothing back; usually the website becomes disappears after a while. Giveaway scams: Cryptocurrency investors can be duped into sending a certain amount of crypto to an address to receive a giveaway prize from a major cryptocurrency exchange. Crypto transactions are irreversible, and as soon as you realize it is a scam, it is too late. Fake mobile software: Scammers have developed apps and uploaded them on mobile stores; they are meant to trick crypto investors. They can ask you to invest your crypto for fake returns. Although these apps usually are brought down, it still gets away with your data and crypto. Crypto-jacking: This is when your computer is used to mine cryptocurrency without your authority. A hacker can persuade you to click a malicious link that puts crypto mining codes in your operation system. The link can also lead to a website or an ad that contains a JavaScript code that will execute and steal your data once loaded in your browser. Enhancing Information Technology Security Crypto cybercrimes have recently skyrocketed since this type of currency provides the kind of camouflage criminals are attracted to. Even though crypto is a game-changer, its security has to be enhanced to protect its users and their personal data. By visiting IronHack and taking a course in computer security, you will be able to protect yourself and others from any form of cyber-attack. The course could also be a career changer for you since there is a current need for cybersecurity professionals. Any crypto user has to check for red flags before putting money on a website in the name of crypto investing. Having prior knowledge of cybersecurity is vital, it becomes crucial when using platforms like Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Even though the cryptocurrency has high levels of anonymity, do not forget to report any fraud or other suspicious activities involving cryptocurrency to bureaus such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). With emerging technologies like cryptocurrency, some knowledge from cybersecurity will help you enhance your virtual protection. A school like Ironhack offers courses in cybersecurity, web design, UI/UX, and data analysis. Check them out!

Sectors such as health, travel, and hospitality have recently taken a keen interest in data analytics (DA). Data collected by such sectors are used to draw conclusions and make crucial decisions. Being a data analyst does not require a four-year stay in a university. What is Data Analytics A lot of raw data cannot be consumed by human beings; they require the help of algorithms that can make sense of them. Data Analytics are responsible for coming up with the algorithms. For example, health records can undergo data analytics procedures to improve the services offered at the hospital. For the shopping industry, it is a powerful tool that reveals metrics and trends associated with customers. This mass of information assists shop owners to improve their customers' experience when shopping. For manufacturing companies to work at peak capacity, data collected from the runtime, downtime, and work queues of machines are analysed. Information collected from the data is then used to increase the company's efficiency. The data analyst points out parts that are slow during production. The gaming industry also requires data analytics to make reward schedules for active players. Data is crucial for content creators; it helps understand their audience. The data can help creators re-organize their content so as to retain or increase their followers on the social media. Data analytics is a science that will assist you in making conclusions about any information. Choosing to work as a data analyst, you will develop systems that you will also have to deploy to improve work flow in a company. You will be responsible for the tools used collect, extract, and categorize data so that it is analysed more efficiently. Ways to Start Learning Data Analysis Skills Professional data analysts handle data in different ways, but ordinarily, a data analyst has some must-have skills. They include: R or Python statistical programming Data visualization Machine learning Microsoft Excel Structured Query Language (SQL) Critical thinking and problem-solving For now, the terms named above are daunting, and it’s wise to start everything from scratch. Data Analytics is a rich subject that involves everything from information perception to information control. First, start mastering common skills such as Python, SQL, MS Excel, and machine learning. But you remember there is no ideal approach to start with; it all comes down to your studying style. A lot of learning material to choose from are provided when you sign-up for the Data Analytics course at Ironhack. Having some business abilities like relational abilities, logical critical thinking, and imaginative reasoning are mandatory for a data analyst. These business gifts are essential; you will often find yourself applying them when concluding your data analysis Without the required information, your work as a data analyst is absolute. Gather the starting information, depict it, and look at its quality to ensure it has the information you want. Your data source should be well defined having relevant to your investigation. Your source could be the government or non-profits; they usually have published data. After getting the data, try to perform data modelling and evaluation on it. It assesses different connections between different points on the data. You must focus on your objective to come up with a suitable model. In the beginning, it won't be easy getting the correct technique, but with time, after studying and experimenting, you will be a guru. At this point, you will discover a lot about your data, and you will be able to generate the last report on it. Why You Should Study Data Analysis Skills? You may still wonder whether taking an analytic data course is worth it. For starters, an anticipated growth for data specialists is expected. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, data analysts’ positions will increase by 20% by 2028. That is a lot of vacant positions, and taking a course on data analytic will at least guarantee you a piece of the pie. Companies require data analysts because they lean on the information collected from their customers to make decisions. These decisions are used to increase the company’s sales. After collecting and analyzing the information, data analysts often have a presentation in a board room to explain their findings. Money is always the biggest motivator for a career change, and picking an analytic data job will not disappoint you. PayScale, a survey company, reports that an entry-level data analysis job can earn you a salary of between $50,000-80,0000 annually. But after some experience in the field, you will be able to earn up to $110,000 annually. These figures may change depending on the company; still, be assured you will not be underpaid. Find a course for you If you are keen on taking a Data Analytics course to join the rush of information assortment visit the Ironhack website. You will get everything you need to start studying data analysis. You can choose to take a full-time or part-time course. The platform also offers online or in-person interactions studying on one of their campuses. After finalizing your course, you can work as a junior data analyst, but it depends on your previous work experience.

For people who are interested in a cybersecurity career or those who want to develop their skills in the industry, a short bootcamp is a good place to start. These carefully constructed programs allow students to deepen their general knowledge of online safety, as well as learning more about specific threats such as Trojan viruses, identity theft, malware and more. You will be trained in building cyber resilience into business systems and be informed of new developments in the world of internet security. Students can choose to graduate within three or six months. Whichever option you prefer, you’ll leave with the expertise necessary to minimize the risk of cyber-attacks. Whether you want to develop your existing talent or boost your career with new skills, continuing your education can prove to be a life-changing experience. Here’s a closer look at the best ways to start learning cybersecurity. Consider what you want to achieve This part of your learning journey will involve asking questions about yourself and doing a little research. Think about the level of experience you currently have in tech security or IT and which skills you’d like to enhance. Find out where you can get more experience, and, if necessary, look for internships where you can learn on the job. Readiness to study and improve will come across as impressive to future employers. As a result, they are more likely to offer you a permanent post when the time comes. Think about your personal strengths It’s often said that in order to understand the threat environment, cyber safety engineers need to think like a cybercriminal. Whilst that’s true, there are an equally essential range of soft skills that will serve you well in the industry. Primarily you should be willing to regularly review and relearn your craft, as the field of information security changes constantly. Furthermore, you should have solid customer service and presentation skills, as communicating effectively with all levels of staff is essential. This ability makes it easier to present complex information in accessible terms to colleagues and management. Think about your professional strengths Looking back on your employment history and previous experience can be helpful when evaluating what you do well at work. Be honest with yourself regarding what your preferences are. From planning to networking and policy creation, there are many positions on offer in IT security, so it’s advantageous to know which one is right for you. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, read more about that area and use any educational resources available if you start a course of study. Take a course to plug your knowledge gaps A college degree can be helpful, but that level of qualification is not necessary for a career in cybersecurity. If you are prepared to work on open source projects, take short courses to upskill yourself and attend conferences, your career options will soon expand. From large companies to government departments, most employers expect potential recruits to have studied computer security in some way. That can get your foot in the door, even if you don’t have a background in tech or IT. Introductory courses designed to get you into IT security in months are ideal. Studying in this way builds up your confidence and skills, as well as providing an insight into the world of online security. Choose a modular course to see difficult concepts broken down into manageable sections. Get a head start by learning from home A huge number of people employed in the digital industry work from home. They need to be self-starters with the ability to remain on task, despite the distractions around them. Online study teaches you to blend work and home commitments successfully, before starting a job. This means that once you’re employed or in business, maintaining your focus, compartmentalizing your day and getting the job done is second nature. With this ability under your belt, carving out a career in online security from the comfort of home is a real possibility. Reach out to the cybersecurity community online Getting in touch with people who are currently employed in the industry is a smart way of making useful connections. There is a huge online community of network security workers, many of whom are happy to give advice and tips on what interests you. Furthermore, most towns and cities have in-person groups and associations that hold regular meetings. By joining up or just going along to meet people, you can gain access to a network of projects and contacts – all of which will be advantageous in future. Widen your knowledge of IT and programming Experienced cyber engineers gain an intrinsic understanding of systems. To become more competent yourself, practice asking the questions they would when approaching an IT problem. Think about what the designer had in mind when creating a system, the type of losses which could occur and how an issue might arise. Another fundamental proficiency is programming and the languages this process uses. An expert level of knowledge can take years to attain, but in the early stages of your career, even a basic comprehension of programming languages will be beneficial. As so much of modern life is based around the digital world, understanding and tackling the complex challenges of cybercrime is vital. A cybersecurity course will not only improve your personal safety online, but allow you to identify the threats which could harm your business or your employer’s business more effectively.

Technology is undoubtedly the biggest enabler of our modern society, and the speed at which the digital landscape is evolving is quite dizzying - throwing up a huge array of fantastic business and career opportunities for those with the skills, will and motivation to succeed. Why study user experience and interface design? Although the terms are used interchangeably UI defines the appearance of a digital product, and UX defines how each of the elements interacts to deliver a seamless, integrated user experience. Often, the two key deliverables are handled by the same digital developer. The designer will first carry out user testing to ascertain what customers want and then produce visual mockups and wireframes to propose solutions. These will be tested and user feedback will be gathered to inform next step changes and to finalise the look, feel and functionality before the system goes live. How can I best become a UX and UI design expert? There are two main routes to take, whether you prefer academic study or on-the-job development (or potentially, a blended approach.) For example: Traditional college routes You could attend a traditional college or university course and devote several years to studying the topic via a traditional, lecture-based programme, with modules delivered by semester. There are pros and cons to this approach. For example, the university approach may allow you to combine different subjects to prepare yourself for the world of work and to enjoy a typical student experience. However, it can be a slower approach to achieving your goals and will not necessarily position you for a job at the end - particularly in the digital industry which is constantly changing and where university programmes may not be completely up to date with what the market needs. If academic progress and attainment is your primary goal, this could be a good, traditional route, but if you are keen to move fast and to put your newfound skills into immediate, hands-on and practical use, a more targeted approach to a qualification could be better for you. On-the-job If you are already in a digital role or a role with the potential to grow your digital capabilities, then on-the-job study could be an option for you. You could do this via an apprenticeship for example, and combine training with hands-on work, or you could ask your employer to sponsor you to train on a targeted digital development course as part of your own personal development. There are various advantages to this approach. Firstly, you will already be in a role and have the ability to put your new-found skills into action immediately. Secondly, the training that you undertake will allow you to progress your career with your current employer. A bootcamp When you want to get to grips with UX UI fast, a targeted bootcamp may well be the ideal way to achieve your goals. This mode of study is ideal for rapidly gaining the skills, knowledge and expertise that you need. For example, if you choose to do a UX UI BootCamp with Ironhack you can study everything that you need to become an effective UX UI designer in as little as nine weeks on the full-time programme, or in 24 weeks on the part-time programme. You also do not need prior IT experience and you will study everything that you need to cover, such as user experience, Figma, research, user interface and design thinking, positioning you strongly for a new career once you graduate from your boot camp. The Ironhack UX UI BootCamp is also extremely flexible and can be taken at a campus, either part-time or full-time or via remote study, depending on your needs. It is delivered by highly experienced and knowledgeable experts in the field, with ongoing careers support to help match you with the right employer and right role once you have successfully completed your course. This is the newest form of learning and it is ideally suited to match the needs of the technology world where change is rapid and constant. By learning in an intensive and immersive BootCamp environment you can be sure that you are learning the latest skills and abilities -driven by what employers actually want to hire for. The resulting match is perfect for accelerating your career or for leapfrogging you into a new career without delay or the expense of a traditional 3-4 year higher education course. Do your research! UX UI design courses vary greatly, so it makes sense to do your research to find out which one will be right for your needs. Ask yourself questions such as: What is my desired outcome? For example, a certain focus area of learning, a qualification, a rapid route to knowledge and so forth. Does the course that I'm interested in offer the right level of flexibility? For example, can I study at home or around my other commitments or do I need to attend a campus? What are the financial implications of the course that I am interested in? What are the career prospects associated with the study method I'm interested in? Does the course provider offer support to help me find work as a UX UI designer? What have other students said? Consider these factors carefully to make the right decision about how to best learn UX UI design and accelerate your own career and prospects!

User interface design is the process of planning and designing the website pages that a user will see and interact with. This is referred to as the interface. Building a seamless, logical interface so that the user has a comfortable experience is crucial to the success of any website or app. The overall layout should be clear and easy to navigate. UI and UX designers work on designing these aspects - the terms are What is UI sketching? It is the process of drawing - either digitally or on paper - how the user interface for a website or app should look. This helps teams to visualize a project and ensure that everyone is on the same page. It also helps with problem-solving at an early stage of development. UX design beginners can and should take part in the process - it can be a great form or research into the user journeys that will be available on a website. Planning the layout and overall design of an app or website puts the creators in the mind of the users. Understanding the purpose of the product is crucial as this will inform the various user journeys that may be required. UI sketches should be quick and dirty, essentially. They are not full blown plans, rather, they quickly represent ideas and let teams communicate effectively about the direction a project should move in. This process usually comes at the ideation phase of website development - this is in the early stages before development has actually begun. Tips for planninguser interface design If you wish to plan a new website or app digitally, one very useful tool for user interface design is a platform called Sketch. It is a platform that lets teams collaborate easily, share ideas, and brainstorm how the final product should look. It opens up the design process and gives everyone strong impression of how the project could potentially appear to the end user. To get started with this tool you can sign up for a free 30 day trial on their website and test out the program. There is also a very thorough user guide and documentation available for users. Other tips to start using Sketch include the following: Sign up for one of the platform's courses. There are a few different courses available for beginners, as well as for more experienced users. These include Sketch Master, Design+Code and Learn UX. Explore the platform's various plugins that are available. This will give you an insight into the tasks that can be performed and the vast range of functions that are possible with the tool. Sign up for an account and create a workspace for your team. This is one of the best ways for beginners to get started. Once you have a workspace set up, you will be able to play around with the tool and start planning projects. Assign one team member as an admin and any others as editors. Each workspace requires at least one editor. Roles can be changed if needed once the workspace set up is complete. Invite people to your workspace and let the collaboration begin. Members can be assigned either 'edito'r or viewer 'roles'. Where possible, it is good to get all team members on board and contributing to the design process on the platform. It is a very collaborative tool and it's good to have all hands on deck. This program can also be used for general website and app updates, not just for the launch of a new project. Lastly, take a look through all of the platform's educational material. There is a lot of information about protoyping, importing and exporting files, designing, and plugins. It is good to explore all possiblities and functionalities The main goal with this process is to ensure that everyone is on the same page in terms of layout and design, as well as to spot potential pitfalls before development begins. It is likely that a website or app will require many different iterations along its journey, regardless of any initial plans and goals. The opportunity to plan, test and retest is crucial in the web development process, and UI design places a huge emphasis on this. Other important aspects of UX design include the principles of user-centred design, and conducting research to find out user needs. Design thinking is often used in user experience design. Lean and agile methodologies are also important in the UX design process. Benefits of planning by hand The main benefits to using this process when planing the interface include speed and making sure everyone is aligned. It is the quickest way to visualize and communicate ideas among developers, designers and project managers and a great way to make sure everyone is on the same page. It also helps teams to anticipate issues, whether it's with the implementation of a particular feature, or a gap in the user journey. Once the plan is in place, the next steps are wireframing, prototyping and coding the website. The fine details of appearance or functionality are not urgent at the planning phase. Keeping things broad and general supports the creation of new ideas and allows for lots of 'outside the box' thinking, which is very valuable in web development. Is this not just wireframing? Although wireframing is also a fast planning process in web development, it is more focused on the placement of certain elements and the overall website hierarchy. It goes a little beyond the initial plans and is less focussed on the user experience. For a user experience designer, how the user navigates the site is crucial, rather than how the various pieces of the website sit and function together. It is more about the journey and user's perspective than the behind-the-scenes functionality. User Experience Bootcamp Beginners can learn about the entire process of designing for user experience in Ironhack's UI Design Bootcamp . The course covers everything from theory and methodologies to practical implementation of skills. It will leave you well-equipped to start a new job as a designer with skills in Figma, design thinking, agile methodologies and user research. Interaction design principles and information architectures are also covered. Building your first interactive prototype is part of the Bootcamp and this involves lots of practical skills application.

Cryptocurrency markets seem unstoppable at the moment, with new and established products growing 24/7. The blockchain lies at the heart of this relentless development, which is challenging traditional banking infrastructure and offering exciting new opportunities. But what is the blockchain and why is it so crucial to the direction of economic development? Let's explore more and answer some fundamental questions to build a deeper understanding of how the crypto-economy functions. What is Blockchain Technology? At its simplest, a blockchain is a shared ledger which records transactions and tracks assets while building trust among users by making every operation transparent. Most blockchains function as distributed databases that are shared by several nodes in a computer network. As a database, it stores electronic information in encrypted form that is virtually incorruptible. When changes are made to this database, the whole distributed chain is updated so that the information presented to the users is always accurate and up to date. This allows the blockchain to act as a real-time economic ledger that stores encoded data of financial transactions. But it can be used to store other data as well. A key fact is that no one person owns a blockchain. As mentioned before, it runs on interconnected computers. Multiple nodes host a blockchain simultaneously, and anyone with an internet connection can access its data. A Brief History of Blockchain Technology In economic terms, the idea behind the blockchain is to enable transactions with less friction and more trust between sellers and buyers. This concept was first described in 1991 by Stuart Haber and Scott Stronetta, who sought a practical solution for time-stamping digital documents such as orders and invoices. In 2004, Hal Finney introduced the concept of Reusable Proof of Work (RPoW), which developed into the digital cash we know today. RPoW later developed into RSA-signed tokens that one could transfer to other people, solving the problem of double-spending. Later in 2008, Satoshi Nakamoto developed the concept of a distributed blockchain that allowed the addition of blocks to an original chain without needing signatures of the trusted parties. This liberated the technology to function as a currency delivery system, and it now forms the backbone of the cryptocurrency sector. Components of a Blockchain A blockchain consists of different components which combine to keep the system running. These include: Nodes — Nodes are devices that form the basic blocks of the blockchain architecture, with each node having an independent copy of the complete blockchain ledger. Blocks — The data structures used to keep transactions well distributed among nodes in the network. Transactions — These are records or information that are encoded onto blocks of the blockchain, describing any changes or additions. Chain — The connection of several blocks in a specific order, providing a record of how the ledger has developed. Miners — The means of adding new blocks. Before they can be added to the blockchain, blocks undergo a verification process. Miners are the specific nodes that conduct these verifications. Consensus protocols — A set of rules and regulations governing the operations in a blockchain. How Does the Blockchain Work? A standard blockchain consists of transactions (or changes) and blocks. Each block has a cryptographic hash that is unique and links them to the previous change. Every block also has a storage capacity, which, when closes when filled and is linked to the previous filled block. All participants on the blockchain can see the block, and they can verify or reject changes. The entries from these changes are recorded into the block as a ledger and secured by cryptographic technology. Blockchains can record all sorts of information, but transactions are the most common, and Bitcoin is their most famous application. When a transaction happens: It is transmitted to the peer-to-peer computer network scattered all over the world These computers solve the equations required to validate the transaction Upon confirmation, the information is clustered into a block, chained to a previous and next transaction When full, the block chains to another full block Benefits of Blockchains Blockchains revolutionized the field of finance, with a range of potential benefits. Most importantly, blockchain-based currencies are seen to be more secure than storing cash digitally and physically. Consider a case where a hacker wants to hack into Bitcoin and steal some crypto. Once they alter their own copy of the blockchain ledger, it becomes different from the copies in other nodes. As a result, the hacker stands out during the cross-referencing of entries, which raises an alarm in the cybersecurity network of the chain. That's a big plus for banks, insurance companies, and individuals sending money to each other. But there are other advantages, too: You can minimize costs with the peer-to-peer network that cuts out intermediaries and saves time Blockchains can often be fast and convenient Blockchains are transparent, since each transaction has a link to transactions before and after in the block. This transparency builds trust in networks or currencies, adding to their value It provides a secure and private alternative to banking, avoiding reliance on corporations or government intervention Drawbacks of Blockchains However, we need to be realistic. Blockchains also come with some negatives. For instance: Cryptocurrencies have historically been used in illegal activities, making them unappealing for some users and posing problems for governments Mining involves the use of expensive tech which also has a huge environmental impact There are storage limitations, and no chain is limitless Conclusion: Get to Know Crypto Tech with Ironhack Blockchain is the foundation of the cryptocurrency world, providing a safe, secure, and transparent record of all transactions. As we've seen, this technology has huge potential, with cybersecurity advantages, transparency and efficiency benefits. And this has also meant that a huge tech industry has arisen to build crypto apps and infrastructure. Whether you want to know more about crypto to inform investments or you're keen on coding in the sector, Ironhack's bootcamps can help . We're on the cutting edge of tech, so get in touch and book a course today. It's an exciting area, with so much to discover.

Web development is an ever-growing field with evolving coding languages and libraries. The basics, however, remain the same and are essential for anyone who wishes to embark on a career in this field. Web development is split into front-end and back-end developing and it is worth understanding the requirements for both, no matter what type of developer you wish to become. Those that can code and work on both front and back -end projects, however, are known as full stack developers and people in these roles require in-depth knowledge of both areas. Getting Started Developing is a vast field. There is a lot to learn and most of it is best learned by doing. It is good to approach the knowledge in a structured way, going step by step as you go. Understanding the basics of how websites are constructed and work is a great place to start. The first coding languages to focus on when studying front-end developing are HTML, CSS and Javascript. If you take a Bootcamp course with Ironhack, you will study HTML and the basics of CSS at the beginning of the course, along with responsive web design and JavaScript basics. Theory aside, the best way to start learning web development is by putting your new coding knowledge into practice. Developing a game using JavaScript is part of the first module in Ironhack's course. This will truly cement your skills and knowledge of the topic and is the best way to develop your ability. The opportunity to test, re-test, fail and succeed while practicing code is the quickest way to understand how all the different components of web developing fit together. The front-end The front end of a website is the part that the user sees, browses and interacts with and it is usually one of the first things to focus on when learning web development. The front-end is built with 3 types of files - HTML files, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML is the basis for all websites and is one of the first things you will study when it comes to development. It features tags that correspond to various parts of a website and can be adapted and updated over time. CSS is where design and layout come in - it basically lets you add colour and shape to the website. Anyone who wants to specialise in front-end developing should hone their CSS skills and know as much as possible about this code. JavaScript lets you create dynamic on-page content. Any form that a user can fill in, for example, or a widget, will be built using JavaScript. One of the most popular front-end frameworks is ReactJS. For this reason, understanding the framework and how to work with it is essential for anyone who is studying to become a developer. This technology was developed by Facebook engineers and is used by a lot of the big tech companies around the world. It is constantly evolving and being updated by a tribe of independent developers. It is also important to understand concepts like component-based frameworks and SPAs (single page apps) Other popular JavaScript frameworks to familiarise yourself with are Angular and Vue. These have pre-built structures and can be used to quickly build apps when starting from the very beginning. Responsive Design An important aspect of front-end developing, responsive design is an area that ensures your website will look great on all devices. This is often checked according to screen size. So, whether the user is browsing on a tablet, laptop or smartphone, the layout and overall aesthetic will be correct. The back-end Once you have mastered HTML, CSS and JavaScript, it's a good idea to focus on the back-end. All websites are hosted on a server and this is part of back-end work. Creating a server with a tool such as NodeJS, ExpressJS, or Handlebars is a good place to get started with this - it is well worth playing around with these tools, as well as MongoDB, and getting acquainted with how they work. Knowing how to make HTTP requests is also an important skill to acquire, along with integrating APIs into an application. Again, putting these skills into practice is the best way to study web development. Back-end developer languages include Ruby, Java, Python and PHP. You will also need to understand how to work with databases. These can be used to store website information, for instance, if a user fills in an on-page form or if the website requires logins, this data will need to be stored somewhere. In most cases, databases use SQL and are run on a server such as MySQL or Microsoft SQL Server. Full-Stack Developer Bootcamp Ironhack's Bootcamp is designed to qualify you as a full-stack MERN developer. This acronym stands for: MongoDB, ExpressJS, React and NodeJS. To cement all of your new knowledge and skills, it is a great idea to put the theory into practice in a full-scale project. Creating a full stack application is the best way to put your new knowledge to the test, plus, it is a fun and practical way to consolidate your skills. Showcasing a full stack application with your CV or portfolio will place you as a highly desirable candidate when searching for jobs - these positions always have a very high demand. Check out Ironhack's Web Development Bootcamp today and equip yourself with all the skills required to start out strong on this exciting career path.

A product manager plays a critical role in an organization. The manager is in charge of recommending and making an evaluation of a company’s product. As a manager, you are responsible for the blueprint and strategy of that product. The head of product combines various expertise such as design knowledge, strategy, and customer needs to realize a valuable product. The manager will study the competitive market conditions and create a product based on the customer’s demand. A product manager guides his/her team and motivates them to achieve their goals and success in selling a product. The manager should understand and coordinate the different abilities of his/her staff. The objective of a manager is to optimize sales and increase profits for a company. Roles of a Product Manager The head of product is responsible for the product in its whole life cycle. Two significant roles of a head of product are: Setting strategy The head of product should set the product strategy and develop a road map to help implement the vision of the company. A manager does extensive research about the market, the customer, and the problem you plan to solve. You analyze the available information, including statistics, customer feedback, and research. As a result, you develop a vision that you share with your company. The manager should then develop a product strategy. It entails the customer base the product will serve and how it will benefit them. Additionally, product strategy establishes the company’s goals for development in its entire life cycle. During the development of a product, some issues come up that distort the plan and development of the product. A clear product strategy is essential as it acts as a reference to you and your team, allowing you to adjust accordingly. And make intelligent strategic decisions in case unexpected changes crop up. Defining Releases A product lead handles product release, which essentially means launching a product. Together with his/her team, the manager turns the product strategy into a working plan against a timeline. It requires planning work phases, identifying risks, and meeting clear expectations. A successful release requires meticulous coordination of tasks, dates, and people. Customer feedback and evaluation of product progress goals help achieve successful freedom. It is crucial to have a release roadmap to help the team track milestones and dependencies. As a result, the stakeholders are aware of the progress and well informed about the plan. Essential Skills Required by a Product Manager The following are the essential competencies required by a head of product for him/her to excel at work: Strategic thinking: As a manager, you need to possess strategic thinking to develop a product vision. Then, it would help if you created a roadmap on how you will achieve it. Empathy: A manager must engage his/her customers and develop a solution to their needs. It takes skills to be able to relate to your customer’s needs. Leadership: As the term dictates, a manager has the leadership qualities to lead a group of teams. A good leader is diplomatic and compassionate and can handle his/her team without being a dictator. Communication: Without a doubt, to be an exceptional manager, you need to possess excellent communication skills. A manager should effectively and pass critical information to different stakeholders, including customers, salespeople, developers, and executives. No information should be lost when giving information across the board. Research: A good manager should be able to understand your customers and market. You should carry out extensive research to not miss out on anything that will help you actualize your product vision and bring customer satisfaction. A great manager then consolidates all the information and shares it with his/her team to reference. Technical: A manager should have basic tech knowldege. You do not have to be at the level of an expert, but you need a handle of the basic technological knowledge. These skills come in handy, especially in making release plans. IronHack has ample programs that can boost your technical expertise. Financial: A manager should analyze several financial elements such as operational costs, pricing, and generated revenue. Part of your team includes the accountants and the salespeople. Working together cohesively and sharing information across the board will help you gain some financial knowledge. Analytical: Data analytics is crucial for product development, especially in strategic planning. Data analytics analyzes raw data to look for trends and metrics on a dataset. A manager should have the tremendous analytical skill to find patterns and understand the metrics. The designs and trends found once data analytics help improves a business’s efficiency and performance. Project management: Developing a product and launching it takes a lot of coordination. A manager coordinates a team that has different personnel from different departments. You need to bring them together cohesively to develop and launch a product. Through IronHack, you can boost your career by learning superior product management expertise. Presentation: A manager is responsible for giving demos and presentations at conferences. Realize you need to provide presentations to your customers, your production team, and the management. Presentations should be concise, engaging, and relevant for your audience. A manager ensures a presentation has passed the information it should give. Conclusion At times the managers’ job descriptions may appear to overlap. However, each role adds distinct value to an organization. You offer strategic directions that help in achieving product goals. Moreover, you oversee the efficiency of the tech team. As a product lead, you will also act as the organization’s link to external customers, end-users, and partners. Product heads can join IronHack’s global tech community to sharpen their technical competencies. Or if you're thinking of a career change, Ironhack can help you develop the required skills on an intensive bootcamp, or studying remotely throughout the year. Find the course that suits you today.

Data mining and analytics are central to an organization’s performance. An organization’s competitive edge is determined by its ability to exploit data. Data refer to different numbers and values collected. After processing, it becomes factual information reliable for decision making. Data analytics and mining of data are co-related and used together to optimize the performance of businesses. Data Analytics Data analysis is a deep analysis of raw data to look for patterns, trends, and metrics on a dataset. Specialized computer systems work on raw data to identify trends and make conclusions. It involves many different types of data analysis. The patterns and trends found in this analysis improve a business’s efficiency and performance. A successful data analytic process will tell you the position of your business and predict the future. You will know what you need to improve your products and services. At IronHack you can acquire a wide range of data analysis skills. Types of Data Analytics There are several types of data analysis. Descriptive analytics usually describes what has happened in the past. Have your sales gone up? Are there more customers coming? Which products are fast-moving? In diagnostic analytics, you apply a bit of hypothesis here. Diagnostic analytics tell you why something happened. You use the results from the descriptive analytics to find out why things happened that way. Did the last advertisement campaign bring any changes to your sales? Predictive analytics tells you how things will be in the future. It will use previously collected data and denote if it will happen again. Prescriptive analytics helps to make decisions on what should be done. Specialized computer systems do prescriptive analytics to find patterns from large volumes of data. Data Analysis Steps Data analysis begins with determining how to group the data. Data can be put in different categories, including age, gender, or income. The next step is collecting data through various sources. You then use specialized programs to organize the data collected. Finally, you ensure the data is correct and accurate before being processed. Data Mining Mining data is finding useful information from large volumes of data. It is done systematically and successively to uncover hidden trends and patterns in an extensive dataset. These hidden patterns and trends tell you about your customers and help you make decisions that bring more sales. It provides reliable information beneficial for marketing campaigns. Also, mining data can help identify where you can cut costs to reduce your operational expenses. Additionally, mining data creates machine learning models used in artificial intelligence. Types ofData Mining There are different types of mining data such as: Smoothing: To remove noise from the data, you use an algorithm. Smoothing helps to visualize trends. Clustering: This is putting together groups with the same characters. Marketers can identify groups within their target market. Classification: This comes after clustering, whereby you put items or persons into categories. Classification puts new data into the right group. More details on classifications are available on IronHack’s website. Association: Which dentifies data that are somewhat connected. Anomaly detection: This quickly detects fraud by finding data that doesn’t fit the normal pattern. Anomaly detection is beneficial in banks and businesses to help detect fraud. Regression: A statistical tool that helps to predict the future. Text mining: Text mining determines how often individuals use certain words. It can alert if there are data leaks by employees of a business. Summarization: It helps to put a group of collected data into a form easily understood. You can use it to calculate the average from a particular data set. Data Mining Steps The first step is to eliminate conflicting information. Different data sources are then integrated and connected. The next step is to select data from the dataset. Thereafter, executing aggregation operations to transfer data into a form applicable for mining follows. Next is the application of intelligent methods to extract data. The last step involves presenting the result to the customer through visualization. 7 Differences Between Data Analytics and Data Mining Below are seven differences between data analysis and mining of data: Workforce: A single person who should preferably be a specialist with coding skills is responsible for mining data. In contrast, a team of specialists does data analysis. Function : In mining data, you want to find the hidden patterns in the data sets. However, in data analysis, you analyze the data sets. Goal : Your goal in mining data is to make the information you have usable. Also, you want to identify patterns. For data analysis, your goal is to make data-driven decisions and hypotheses. Method : You apply mathematical methods such as algorithms in the process of mining data. In data analysis, you use business intelligence to carry out your study. Data sets : In the process of mining data, you use large volumes of data collected in the data warehouse. As for data analysis, you can use either small, medium, or large volumes of data. Knowledge : You apply machine learning in the mining of data. However, in data analysis, you need to use subject and computer science knowledge. Output: The output you get from mining data is data patterns and trends. As for the data analysis, your results are actionable insights and hypotheses. Wrapping Up Before you get valuable information from the data, it is important to recognize patterns and learn the trends. Therefore, you need to data mine before carrying out data analysis. As a business, you need to apply both to optimize your business’s performance and cut your operational costs. And, most importantly, increase the sales of your company. Ironhack has additional resourceful information that both individuals and businesses can use to polish these two vital skills. From part-time flexible learning to intensive courses you can tailor the bootcamp to suit you as you deep dive into the world of tech.

Whether you're new to bictoin or a seasoned investing professional with digital currency, you may not yet know too much about NTFs beyond the big headlines that scream about multi-million-pound sales! So what exactly are these digital assets and what is their link with the art industry exactly? Let's take a closer look. What is an NFT? Bictoin, Ethereium, and other digital technologies have been touted as a modern alternative to old-fashioned physical currencies, and now NFTs have taken the spotlight as the digital equivalent for collectables. Despite usually being a beautiful piece of digital creativity, NFT stands for the rather-less inspiring term, 'Non-Fungible-Token'. In economics, fungible assets are unit-based assets that can be easily exchanged - such as cold, hard cash. For example, swap £20 for two £10s and you end up with the same total value. When an asset is non-fungible, this simple and equal exchange can't happen - the asset has some kind of unique property which makes it impossible to be interchanged with another, similar thing. Non-fungible assets are unique - a one of a kind, such as a house, a sculpture or a piece of design. You can buy copies, but there will only be one original. In the digital world, these one of a kind non-fungible assets are like bitcoin in that they can be traded like anything else, but they have no physical form. Instead, you buy the ownership certificate for a physical or virtual asset. And when it comes to art, you buy the digital original which you can then reproduce at will - because you have the original ownership rights. How do they work? A traditional painting, sculpture or craft can be extremely valuable for investing purposes because it is unique and only exists in its original form. This contrasts to digital files which can be endlessly and easily duplicated. With non-fungible tokens, pieces of work can be tokenised to create digital ownership certificates. These certificates can then be traded to transfer ownership in sales transactions. Interestingly, this form of digital token can also be created with an accompanying smart contract - perhaps to give the creator a future cut from any token sales down the line in a commission arrangement. The blockchain link As with bictoin, the ownership record of digital art investing is held on the blockchain; the shared, public and permanent ledger of transactions that records every crypto-currency transaction. Because the blockchain is maintained across a vast network of thousands of global computers, it is extremely secure and records cannot be hacked into and forged. How much are NFTs worth? There has been a great deal of interest in this form of digital creativity, especially as some very high profile pieces of work have sold for hundreds of thousands of pounds. Even some memes have sold for vast amounts, such as the flying Nyan cat meme of 2011 which sold for over £365,000 this year! And Grimes, the musician and girlfriend of billionaire Elon Musk, sold her own digital painting pieces for over $6 million. It's not just design that is being tokenised and traded either - Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter, has received bids of over $2.5 million for the platform's first-ever tweet! Even football cards are being sold for multi-million-pound sums. The issues As with all internet-based activity, there is a concern that this form of token simply adds an environmental burden to the blockchain - as carbon is released every time someone carries out an action online - a click, view, transfer or update to the blockchain for example. There is also nothing to stop people from copying, sharing and reproducing digital designs, even though it will be owned by someone. For example, Beeple recently sold a piece of digital art for $69 million, and the image itself has been replicated and shared numerous times. In many instances, the copyright ownership is still retained by the creator, so they can continue to produce copies and sell them. But the NTF owner is the token holder and this gives them proof of ownership to the original - whatever that means in practice! A good analogy could be the purchase of an autographed print; a collector piece which special attributes that are seen to be valuable by the purchaser. Will this form of digital currency last? Some people think that we may currently be seeing a flurry or bubble of excitement that will eventually burst. Mike Winkelmann, better known as Beeple, has said that there will be a bubble and that it may currently be peaking. Others simply see NFTs as being official collectables and the modern digital equivalent of trading cards. Traditional auctioneers, such as Charles Allsopp from Christie's has said that the concept is senseless and unlikely to last. But whether or not this is the case, the fact is that some artists are already making money from this type of sale, and with the metaverse now a 'thing', perhaps token owners will soon be decorating their own digital real estate with authentic 'owned' art as the ultimate status symbol! Find out more At Ironhack, we offer targeted digital bootcamps that take you from zero to hero fast on the digital topics that matter to you, to employers - and to your future career. Whether you dream of being a website developer, coder, or digital consultant, our boot camps will supercharge your career and take you further. Visit us to find out more!

Whether you've just graduated and are looking for a career in web design, are about to start a new job, or are established in the world of web designers, gaining a new technology skill is always a positive step. While you don't need a knowledge of coding to build a website, being familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript makes you a great asset to any multidisciplinary design team. In its simplest form, coding allows us to communicate with computers, telling them what to do and how to behave. It is the basic building block for designing any digital product. Add coding to your knowledge of User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), and Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and you have the skill sets to become a talented and employable web designer. At Ironhack , we have bootcamp courses designed to develop these skills. Still not convinced that learning coding will boost your design career? Then, these seven advantages may persuade you. 1. It gives you another transferable skill There is never a downside to learning a new skill. Learning the fundamentals of coding helps you develop a better understanding of the whole design process. With this knowledge, you'll see the scope of what is possible with any design project as well as an idea of where future difficulties may lay. You'll also have given yourself the tools to overcome these difficulties. On a personal level, acquiring new skills keeps your mind agile and develops your creativity. This is a bonus in both your personal life and your career. 2. It increases the range of design tools available to you While coding know-how isn't essential for web designers, some newer design tools are more effective with at least a basic knowledge of it. For example, to get the best out of Framer, some knowledge of JavaScript is essential. Once you have mastered one type of coding, you're better able to master other codes you encounter. 3. It helps you maintain control of your design project As a web designer, you're going to be responsible for creating a consistent visual language for the final product. This visual language translates into a problem-free user experience. Trying to explain your vision to a coder without something getting lost in the translation can be tricky. However, with some knowledge of how to code, the number of errors that may occur between design and implementation is reduced. By giving your web developer, some code instructions along with your design documents, you'll maintain greater control of the finished product. Having this control leads to a reduction in project time, saving the customer money and freeing you up to tackle other design commissions. 4. It adds a dose of realism to your ideas You have this wonderful idea for your web design, visualizing an impressive finished product. But, are these ideas realistic? When you know how to code, you can be more realistic about your design parameters. You'll know what is or isn't possible. You may even have an idea for making the impossible possible. 5. It allows you to communicate effectively with your design team As a web designer, you'll probably be working as part of a development team. Having at least a basic knowledge of what other team members are doing makes this collaboration work smoothly and effectively. When you understand the basics of languages such as HTML and CSS you are better able to communicate professionally with your tech colleagues. Having this common language lets you pitch your ideas confidently and ask team members questions while giving the right instructions for bringing your ideas to fruition. 6. It's fun! You may discover a new passion Having graphic design skills is a great career opener but learning how to code as well opens an entirely new door into the design world. It changes how you view the design, enabling you to be even more creative and innovative. Being able to start a design project totally from scratch is inspirational, the limit to what you can create depends only on your ideas and vision. And, by knowing how to code, your career may turn into your hobby as well. 7. It makes you more employable Every modern company has ongoing web design needs. This means that there is no shortage of career prospects in digital design. These careers come with satisfying salaries, location flexibility, and very often, the chance of setting your own hours and work-life balance. The more design skills you can demonstrate on your CV and during the interview process, the more attractive you become to employers who are looking for truly multidisciplinary teams. Once established in a career, learning a new skill opens doors to promotion. With the ability to both design and code, your value to your employer soars. Instead of bringing in outside coders with the expense that involves, your skills can be utilized. Plus, you'll be much more confident in pitching ideas and advising clients. If you've decided that learning how to code will enhance your value in the employment market, then Ironhack is ready to help you. Sign up to our Ironhack Web Development Bootcamp and learn all the skills you need to operate fully in the fast-growing tech industry. Our full-time courses are nine weeks long while part-time courses run for 24 weeks. They introduce you to commonly used languages such as HTML, CSS, React, and JavaScript by immersing you in real-world scenarios. We're so confident that you'll succeed, your training costs nothing if you haven't landed your dream design job within six months.

There are linear life paths and people who have always known what they wanted to do. Jordane Lelong is not one of them. Between passion, questioning, and personal quest, her story is like each of ours: unique . Whether you are a student or a professional in transition, you may find yourself in her story. But regardless of that, her story will not leave you indifferent. And for those who are a little lost in finding their "way," just like Jordane, we invite you to discover the excellent advice that she shares at the end of this article. From Education to Passion Jordane was a young woman of 28, passionate about music and travels "even if it's a bit complicated to travel at the moment." Product designer at Free since last July and co-founder of “ UX Challenger ” that she created with another Ironhacker, Morgane Favchtein , Jordane seems to be really fulfilled today. But it wasn't always like this. Like many, she was asked at 18 what she wanted to do with her life without having any idea how to choose. Her taste for school was limited, "except for English, art and computer science" and without really anyone to help her, she settled on a "safe" choice: that of a career in international trade "because there are more opportunities in this field.” But several years later, with a master's degree in hand, her questions were still there and none of the jobs that her studies could lead to appealed to her. As creative as she is passionate, Jordane turned to the only environment that really attracted her: music. This was followed by 6 years as an event manager organizing concerts all over the world. But far from a life of dreams, as an intermittent performer, she had to face a lot of dedication, difficulties, and sacrifices. At the beginning of 2020, a burnout, and the first confinement later, her job and her health were gone. So it was time to "think about what I wanted to do with my life." Being Inspired by Others Beyond her incredible personality and proven creativity, Jordane's independence and need for freedom is striking. It's not surprising that, while searching on social networks, she was drawn to videos of women explaining how to avoid depending on a salary. That's when she first heard about web design and her future job. Little by little, Jordane trained herself in "no code" tools and started to create her first websites for friends. By the end of 2020, not only was she financially successful thanks to several projects and clients, but she also discovered a new and growing interest in web design and UX/UI issues. Thanks to her thirst for learning and her unlimited curiosity, Jordane managed to completely turn her career around in a few months. So why jump into a bootcamp when everything is so well (re)launched? You probably know the answer. It's sometimes really difficult to fight against imposter syndrome and to succeed in thinking that you are ready to jump into a new sector or job. That's why she joined Ironhack: to learn the basics and apply them on concrete projects, but also to join a community of enthusiasts. She had a lot of hesitations and fears: "3 months is short, what's going to happen after?" "I'm a woman, do I really belong here?" “What if I fail in this area?” Becoming an Ironhacker However, thanks to her determination and the help of an Indeed scholarship created especially for people who lost their jobs during the pandemic, she quickly joined the bootcamp. From that moment on, all her doubts evaporated: theory combined with practice every day was her magic formula. She learned to trust herself by practicing, by "putting her hands in it," and especially by seeing how much she was able to progress day after day. Not to mention the fact that, at Ironhack, you learn in a group. Having feedback, being able to share her questions, and receiving support when things weren't going well were all essential elements in her learning process. Knowing how to do things and knowing how to behave were the two keys that allowed her to unlock the door to the self-confidence she was missing. What asked what the bootcamp did for her, she said: "I came out of it energized. I was a new person, prepared for this new adventure that I was about to embark on. [...] Ironhack taught me that I can start from nothing and go far. [...] I had a really bad experience when I left the music business because of my burn out, my world collapsed and with the bootcamp I proved to myself that I was not an old dinosaur who could not do anything anymore, quite the contrary. Too often we think we are too old to learn new things, change careers, start a business, but we are not. In general, habits condition too much our way of doing things and of apprehending changes. You need to have a good environment and a good mindset to learn new things, that's what Ironhack gave me". Staying True to Herself Jordane finally reconciled her life as a freelancer and a salaried employee by joining an agency just a few weeks after the bootcamp and later, the Free group: "I didn't think I would find a job so quickly. Ironhack has a very good reputation in the UX world and companies are impressed to see the work we manage to do in 9 weeks. I felt confident talking about my background and I wasn't ashamed at all when I walked out even though I didn't have a specialized profile." To stay in line with her convictions (editor's note: she has been vegan for 8 years and practices "0 waste"), she had given herself the mission to accompany entrepreneurs in the field of ecology, health, or well-being. Finally, she finds her usefulness not only in these projects but also at Free on a daily basis. Her job consists in taking a more responsible approach towards the user, putting them at the center of the strategy so that "technology is at the service of people and not the other way around." One might think that Jordane is already quite busy with all this, but that's not knowing her well. As if that wasn't enough, she set up a volunteer project “ UX Challenger ” with another Ironhacker, Morgane Favchtein , whom she met during the training to "give back what she benefited from." The principle is simple: 1 pitch = 1 project. Between the two of them, they regularly launch "design challenges" so that young designers can practice and they offer mentoring after the project is submitted. "The designers in the making are very happy to have constructive feedback that will help them progress". Spontaneity is Key As you can see, her desire to help is matched only by her passion for her job. Here's her advice: "If I had met myself back when I was lost, I would have said to myself: stop overthinking and trust yourself. It's too easy to compare yourself to people, especially on social networks, you have to take a chance and go for it. Ironhack was almost a spur-of-the-moment thing but I had nothing to lose. At first, I felt bad about making a decision so quickly but, in fact, it takes spontaneity to shake things up. If someone had told me a year ago where I would be today I would have laughed. When the bootcamp is over, we continue to learn, that's when the work really starts. Then it's a different kind of learning, you're confronted with reality, with business problems, you have to deal with all parts of the company. You have to tell yourself that every opportunity is good to improve. That's how you learn who you are and what you want to do, or not do.” Want to be like Jordane? Start your UX/UI, web developer, data analyst, or cybersecurity journey today by taking one of Ironhack’s Bootcamps . Our courses will equip you with the essential skills to get started on a career path in the dynamic and exciting tech industry.

Have you ever abandoned a company website because of clumsy payment portals or hard to navigate product listings? If so, you'll appreciate how important user experience (UX) is to the modern economy. User experience refers to the way site visitors interact with content, from search boxes and web chat bots, to help portals and product listings. And it's a rapidly growing area of the digital sector, as companies are locked in competition to provide the best possible experience. At Ironhack, we teach beginners and experts alike. And here are some of our guiding principles to help user experience professionals as they reshape the way we use the web. 1. Consistency is key First of all, user experience designers need to keep a laser-like focus on consistency. This means referring to brand guidelines and house style for aesthetics and language. But more importantly from a user experience perspective, it means ensuring that all user journeys feel the same, with similar mechanisms for different processes on the site. Consistency has another key benefit: when users visit websites, they want to feel comfortable and familiar with every page they use. So good UX modelers incorporate elements that are familiar from similar websites, and work hard to make users feel at home from the first time they visit. 2. User needs are everything In the world of user experience, everything has to revolve around what users need and feel. There's nothing more important when crafting website or apps that are intended to hold attention, provide experiences, and generate conversions. Because of this, beginners need to learn how to put themselves in the place of users, so they can understand how visitors actually engage with their designs. Creating user personas is a useful heuristic here. They let you model different demographics and behaviors, so that sites can be optimized for everyone from students to seniors. 3. Learn how to sketch site hierarchies Another crucial skill for UX beginners is the ability to create visual representations of how sites work. In general, this means understanding how the elements of a particular site fit into a larger hierarchy. Hierarchies can be primary or visual, and both matter. Primary hierarchies are the most familiar, dealing with the way content is organized on sites. This includes things like home pages, product categories, individual product listings, and additional pages like terms and conditions or the all-important "about us" section. Visual hierarchy is just as important. This refers to the way site elements are placed on the overall design. Which graphics are the most prominent? How large should navigation buttons be? Everything should come together in a way that encourages visitors to explore content and make conversions. 4. Function comes before beauty When crafting your UX models, it's essential to keep this maxim in mind: usability trumps beauty every time. While there's nothing wrong with beautiful digital creations, if they aren't easy to use and efficient, sites will tend to deter visitors, resulting in a sub-standard user experience. Beginners shouldn't feel unable to experiment with the look of their designs. But it's a good idea to test and double test every page to make sure that aesthetic improvements don't compromise usability. As you develop your skills, you can work more fluently, but UX auditing is always a sound starting point in the early days of your career. 5. Does the site cater for every context? Contemporary user experience professionals need to cast their net widely. It's not sufficient to create sites that look and feel good on Chrome. You need to take into account the experience of smartphone users, tablets, diverse browsers, and even specialized apps. Beginners need to contextualize their projects and make sure they work for every situation. Does your site provide a solid UX for people who are checking their phone while out shopping? Is it quick enough to use when commuting? And does every version provide access to the content users require? 6. Don't design without considering accessibility Alongside devices, user experience creators need to foreground accessibility. You wouldn't design a school or hospital without providing wheelchair access. And you wouldn't create pedestrian systems without taking into account the partially sighted. Things are no different in website design, where many different types of person access the same resource. Think about how those with disabilities will interact with your site. For instance, you might want to fine tune the color scheme to make sure that the site is optimized for visually impaired users. And it's important to simplify every page to create flows and content delivery mechanisms that make life easy for everyone. 7. Keep project progress under control UX projects have a couple of things in common. Firstly, they tend to pass through similar project milestones. And secondly, if you don't maintain control over project progress, they can quickly become very, very complex. However, beginners can make it far easier to manage their projects by referring to which phase they have reached in the modeling process. Phases stretch from ideation and planning, through to creating proof of concept and prototype sketches, refinement of those prototypes to create working models, and then completion of the most effective model to create a finished, ready-to-use website. Complete planning before prototyping, and make sure your testing is complete before putting final element in place. That way, you'll feel more confident about completing projects on schedule and the results will be more impressive as well. 8. Keep things simple In website design, the principle "less is more" should guide everything you do. Think about your own web usage. Have you ever appreciated complex language, clicking through 3-4 portals to reach payment pages, or having to open multiple tabs to access the information you need? Probably not. It's not always easy for beginners, but try to cut out as much as possible without compromising the overall user experience. Use simple language at all times. Stick to clear typography for messages and buttons. And avoid clutter at all costs. Become a user experience expert with Ironhack's assistance UX is a booming sector in the digital economy. Companies across the world need an army of engineers to build websites that deliver what users desire, and they are often willing to pay a lot of money for that expertise. Starting a user experience journey is easier than you think. Just enrol in one of Ironhack's bootcamps for UX UI Designers and start delivering beautiful solutions which make life easier. Anyone can do it, as long as they have a passion, creativity and dedication.

In the digital world, every eCommerce site and every portal needs a front end. That's where the User Interface (UI) comes into play. Without a good user interface, companies will struggle to maximize conversions and retain visitors. Whether you're running a Fantasy Football game or selling apparel, the front end makes the first impression, and first impressions matter. In this article, we'll look at the people who model these interfaces. As we'll see, anyone can become a master of interface design, and with the right learning choices, it can be a lucrative and easy career switch. So let's find out more. UI design: the basics User interface designers have a key role to play in the modern economy. They model the systems web users encounter whenever they visit websites or use mobile apps. As such, these professionals need to take on board specific learning about how to create easy to use interfaces, and certain skills are more important than others. When creating user interfaces, coders have to take into account various elements, including: Inputs - The text fields, buttons and links that visitors will interact with when using the website. Navigational elements - Things like sliders and pagination marks which help to move through content seamlessly. Information - Additional content that appears on the interface, helping to contextualize the site and make it more intelligible for users. Containers - In many cases, content will also be stacked vertically via "accordion" style containers, helping to display large amounts of information in an uncluttered style. These are the basic building blocks behind most user interfaces, and to master them involves learning plenty of different techniques. For instance, you'll need to know about drop-down menus and notifications, as well as breadcrumbs and sliders. However, with the right courses and instruction, none of that is overwhelming. Especially if you understand the core roles of a UI designer. What are the main tasks of user interface creators? The job of the UI creator begins after a decision has been made to create or remodel a website front end. As an interface creator, you probably won't be taking big decisions about the overall strategy of an eCommerce site or app. But you will be expected to feed into discussions about user interface composition and planning. At lower levels, user interface professionals work underneath senior engineers who handle the strategic element. For junior staffers, day-to-day UI creation will involve specific tasks linked to the overall plan. In some cases, these processes take place in-house and there's little contact with third parties. In others, interface technicians will need to work closely with clients to understand their desires. They may have a certain "feel" in mind for their website. Some could be very demanding, while others may be hands-off. Being a good user interface creator therefore often involves learning how to step back and serve clients, instead of imposing your own ideas about what works best. However, the best front end creators still have the courage to speak up when briefs aren't workable. After all, they are the experts, and are expected to use that expertise to carry out projects effectively. What happens during the UI design phase? Once briefs have been discussed and strategies are understood, user interface creators have a chance to show off their portfolio of skills. And the tasks could be extremely varied. We've set out a broad definition of what UI design entails already, but there's more to it than sticking to those core areas. Inputs and navigational elements need to be implemented in ways that meet the needs of brands and companies. This means imposing a "visual language" that blends pure functionality with the right aesthetics . The creation phase also involves a constant learning process. At first, user interface elements might look good, but fail where it really counts: user experience . Because of this, interface engineers have to constantly assess their work and test their creations to refine them until they achieve exactly the right results. You might need to create a series of options for each page and model user behavior, visualizing how real world visitors interact with websites. The key thing is to make designs responsive to how actual users will behave. Additionally, user interface creation generally involves tailoring websites for different formats . For instance, you'll need to check that interfaces work well on browsers like Chrome or Firefox. And most sites will need to be optimized for mobile users and tablets. When that's all done, the plans can be sent to web developers to turn them into working interfaces. From prototyping to working websites The user interface creation process will vary from project to project, but in most cases learning a standard procedure will help to make things run smoothly. The first step tends to involve sketching out plans in team environments to get a feel for how each page will look. This doesn't have to be detailed, but needs to give a clear direction for the project, and every team member needs to be involved. After that, coders leap into action and create clickable prototypes according to the initial plans. These aren't live, but they look as close to the finished version as possible. If those static screens meet project specifications, the next step is to refine the look and elements of the pages so that everything coders need is clearly laid out. With the right level of clarity and detail, any web development errors can be minimized. Launch a UI creation career with Ironhack If you have a passion for design, a creative side, and an understanding of how the web works, user interface creation could be the perfect career switch. Interface modelers are always in demand across every business sector, and they don't need to be coding masters. At Ironhack, we offer a bootcamp in UX UI Design for anyone who is interested in learning the secrets of user interface modeling. Sign up and discover a rewarding, engaging new career with our effective online learning packages.

Collaboration is key in bringing a successful tech product to the market so specialisms such as Coding or UX (User Experience) Design often go hand in hand. A UX designer creates a product that users want. This involves researching, branding, designing, and then testing its usability and functionality. Successful UX designers are highly in demand and can command top salaries. They would, however, find it hard to do their job without the support and expertise of an experienced web developer. The designer provides the research and the design while the web developer provides a visual realization of the design as well as a development timeline. This means that web developers and UX designers have interdependent roles and have to work closely together as a team. We've put together six ways in which taking an Ironhack Web Development bootcamp or a UX/UI Design course can lead to a productive and collaborative career. 1. Communicating clearly When a new product is being proposed, the UX designer needs to communicate with the web developer. They discuss the proposed product, throwing out initial thoughts on how to approach the design and development process. As well as creating a design, the UX designer is involved in researching, testing, and team management while constantly keeping the needs of the final user in mind. By collaborating with the web developer at an early stage, the product's technical feasibility can be assessed while clear communication ensures the setting of realistic project goals and how to approach them. Communication is key. Desired outcomes, technical issues, and successes need to be constantly shared between the web developer and the UX designer. 2. Sharing initial and ongoing research findings The UX Designer uses their knowledge of human behavior and psychology to plan and carry out user research, seeing if there is a potential market for the proposed product. The findings of this research then feed into the product's features. The web developer needs to understand this research so that they know how a user is likely to behave when using a specific feature, what their expectations of different features are likely to be, and how they may interact with them. By sharing the research at this early stage, the web developer and UX designer can collaborate on the product's design specifications and technical requirements. This ensures that the final product fully meets the user's needs. The web developer may even be able to offer the design team some alternative design solutions. By having access to research at every stage of the product's development, the web developer helps ensure the successful functioning of the final product. 3. Working together on a prototype Continual technical feedback from the web developer helps the product to be refined as and when necessary. At regular meetings, the web developer will have an opportunity to input on technical feasibility while the UX designer continually develops and refines prototypes. Each new prototype will be more detailed and effective and give an interactive idea of what the website or app's final UI (user interface) will look like and how it will behave. Close collaboration ensures each prototype is a step nearer to a final product. 4. Testing and tweaking This is when the project starts to feel real and the fun starts. The UX designer once again interacts with proposed users – real people – to see how they react and listen to their feedback. It is at this point that any faults or glitches become all too obvious. The results are then shared with the web developer who helps tweak the design so that it can realistically be brought to the market. The web developer will work with the UX designer on ironing out any issues revealed when the product was tested on real users. 5. Coding is key Once prototypes are made, tested, and revised, coding can begin in earnest with the web developer taking more of a central role in creating the final user interface. The developer now takes control of the designs, ready to build and implement them. Collaboration and communication among the team, however, are still vital. The web developer needs full access to all of the files and software that the UX designer has been using. They will also need a standardized guide to the font, color and button style, etc. that has been decided on. Once, happy that all the information is clearly set out, the web developer is ready to make the final product coding. When the project is fully researched and its final appearance decided upon, the web developer can complete the coding. 6. From design to use It's inevitable that once the web developer starts coding, issues with design elements or functions will arise. The web developer still needs to work with the UX designer to find solutions to these issues while still maintaining the original concept and a good user experience. Meetings will also be required to ensure that the coders are correctly interpreting the design. It's usual for a finished product to be initially tested on a small sample market. Any problems revealed then need to be addressed by the web developer and UX designer before final release to the open market. Even when a product is finished, its initial use may bring the web developer and UX designer back together to iron out any problems that arise.

What divides elite programmers from the rest? Is it simply natural ability, or are there personality traits and skills that everyone can learn to help them enter the top tier of digital talent? Actually, it's a bit of both. If you have zero talent, you won't cut it as an elite programmer. But even great coders can struggle if they don't work on their skill profile. So let's discover the 5 characteristics that make coders stand out from the crowd. 1. They aren't paralyzed by risks The best programmers aren't afraid to break things. In fact, they embrace risk when working with codebases, knowing that progress isn't possible unless you try things that could - inevitably - make things worse before they get better. Sure, you want to add functionality without damaging what already exists. But that's only applicable in a perfect world, and whenever you add or change modules you're bound to encounter some problems. The trick is to use those problems to find solutions which improve what already worked, while achieving your project goals. So don't feel paralyzed by the fear of ruining code. In fact, it might sometimes help to deliberately break your code and work from there. That way, you can identify issues with user experience and general functionality that might have been missed. Breaking down systems can often be the best way to achieve coding breakthroughs. Just taking the safe option might work for a while, but the best programmers always take risks. 2. They know how to work as a team Programmers aren't always known in the wider world for their personality and soft skills. However, in complex work environments the best coding talents are often those who interact effectively with those around them. Why is that? Soft skills help you understand what each project requires. Good listeners can take on board specific parameters and goals, making it easier to tailor code to meet the needs of bosses or external clients. And by listening well, you can also ask relevant questions to refine project briefs. That way, it's possible to go beyond the goals set by managers who may not have in-depth coding knowledge. Even if you're a programmer first and foremost, you can develop soft skills into your professional personality. Boot camps and courses can help, alongside reading the right experts and adopting practices like self-reflection and meditation. Just don't discount working on your personality. It's something that all elite coders have time for. 3. They always know their limitations and take action accordingly Another key characteristic of a successful programmer is their ability to visualize what they don't know and where they need to improve their knowledge base. All of us have our limitations. It could be integrating graphics, understanding new coding languages, or using AI. But not all of us are willing to admit our shortcomings. And most of us stick to what we know, rather than developing our weaknesses aggressively. However, that's never the case with an elite programmer. Their personality is built around constant improvement, learning new skills and seeking to understand gaps in their knowledge. They set aside time for training and learning (and may even enlist in annual boot camps to refresh their skills). This might sound taxing for busy coding professionals, but there are shortcuts. For instance, applying the Feynman technique works well. Devised by physicist Richard Feynman, this technique advises that coders imagine having to teach a room full of students about a specific point of knowledge. If you can't teach that point with authority and depth, it's time to return to the books for some additional training. 4. They are always willing to edit, and edit again Have you ever written an essay only to find it returned with red marks and criticisms across every paragraph? If so, you probably weren't thinking like an elite programmer when you submitted your text, and you almost certainly didn't spend enough time editing your essay to refine its contents. The best programmers have a thorough personality which seeks to achieve efficient, effective results every time. This means editing code, and then re-editing it to identify areas of improvement and redundancy. It also means spending a little more time on every task to ensure quality control, which is why the best programmer won't usually be the fastest worker. Fortunately, there is a method to apply which can turn shoddy writers into super-efficient coding masters. Firstly, write a draft version of your code to act as "proof of concept." This lets you get a feel for the task and understand whether you have found the right approach. Secondly, return to the code and find a way to make your approach work. It doesn't have to be ultra-efficient at this stage. Just iron out any obvious errors and get the code functioning, however clumsily. Finally, edit your working code to refine it and create a finished result. By flowing from proof of concept to finished code, you can usually achieve better results than throwing ideas at a project, editing haphazardly, and complaining when managers or clients return with critiques. 5. They love to code The final aspect of top tier coding is the willingness to code at every opportunity. Coding is like writing, playing sports, or painting. The more you practise, the better you get. Constantly practising is also a great way to encounter new techniques and tools, helping you maintain a relevant skill set. That's why sites like Github have such a huge user base (56 million and counting). They let coders share their projects, and bring users together to share expertise. Hackathons are another popular method of refining programming skills, and sites like Major League Hacking have developed a huge following. So if you have time away from professional work, get involved. Every programmer can benefit from a little extra-curricular practise, and communities are always happy to help. Develop your programming skills with intensive bootcamps Are you thinking about switching careers to programming or web development? If you have these five characteristics it's probably a sound move. And as we've seen, most key coder skills can be developed with a bit of application. The best way to build your programmer skills is via online courses and Ironhack's professional level bootcamps . Learn the core skills every coder needs and turn your personality into a career-changing asset with our educational tools.

One of the most common questions among future Ironhack students is how and where to start if they want to prepare before starting the bootcamp. If this is also the case with you, we recommend our guide to surviving a bootcamp . Most Ironhack students have no previous experience or knowledge in the tech sector; in addition, it is their first time doing a bootcamp - maybe, like you, they have just discovered exactly what a bootcamp is - and they want to prepare to make the most of this experience. What are the necessary steps or previous knowledge required to complete a bootcamp? When it comes to Ironhack everything is thought of in advance: there is a mandatory online prework that you must complete and present before starting a class. In this article, our Lead Teacher at the Data Analysis bootcamp in Madrid answers the most frequently asked questions about Ironhack prework. 1. How much time do I have to do the prework? You have access to the prework from the moment you enroll in the program, except in the Cybersecurity bootcamp, where you will be given access about 20 days before the start of the course. The bootcamp must always be completed one week before the start of class, so that the teachers can correct it; sometimes it is allowed to deliver up to 72 working hours before depending on the date of registration. 2. What is the prework like? The prework consists of a theoretical part and a practical part, like the whole bootcamp. It acts as an introduction to the minimum knowledge required before starting so that the first few classes are accessible for all. Prework requires time and hard work, like the bootcamp itself, but it is just as satisfying and very effective in acquiring basic knowledge. If you study the theory and do the exercises calmly but consistently, you will have a minimum foundation of the topics which we will later deepen and solidify. 3. Where to start the prework? As always, start at the beginning. It is best to follow all the steps one by one, combining each part of theory with its exercises. It’s important to check in on all tasks in order. It's like building a house: if you start with the roof... It won't work. The same thing happens during the bootcamp: you have to let yourself be carried away by the established script and trust that later all the pieces will fit together. Sometimes it may seem that the prework is general; that is because many technologies will be explained in class later. So, it is important to understand each part and trust that, at some point, everything will be connected. It is also very important not to get frustrated and fully understand the entire technical base, in the case of programming languages, since it is a language that will be learned from scratch and will be used throughout the bootcamp. 4. How long should it take to complete it? You should take the amount of time indicated on each task (usually between 40-60 minutes) using the time to look for solutions working on the computer. This can vary from person to person, there is no penalty for taking longer. If this is your first time entering the world of tech, there are likely to be several modules that take you slightly longer as you work hard to grasp the basic knowledge. 5. What happens if I can’t complete one of the modules? Nothing will happen if you it you don’t complete a module. But it is very important that you have at least tried to complete them all. Striving and perseverance are expected from everyone who attempts the bootcamp. Class explanations are not always enough to finish the labs , because the exercises are more complicated so it’s important have a self-taught and authentic warrior attitude to ensure your learning has no limits. Google searches will be a vital tool both during the bootcamp and your prework. Even so, nothing happens if you don’t get 100% of the exercises, as after the first week of bootcamp the prework will feel like child’s play in comparison. 6. Can I ask for help during prework? Of course! At Ironhack we work with slack, which is a messaging tool that you must have installed on all your devices and check regularly. You can ask for help from your classmates, former students, even the Ironhack staff are available to help you on these channels. It may seem that you’re all alone as you face your prework, but that isn’t the case. There is a large community of Ironhackers willing to lend you a hand. Take help from the community, and give back and you’ll soon find things feel a lot easier. 7. Is prework easy? Nothing is easy at Ironhack. But difficult is not synonymous with impossible. A bootcamp is a very intensive and hard style of training, you have to work hard and have to come to the program with a warrior mentality. At first, prework can seem very complicated, you just have to face it head on with a positive attitude and work hard. 8. What is the purpose of the prework? The main goal is to get to class with an idea of what to expect from the training So that when you arrive it doesn’t feel as though the teachers are speaking in another language. It helps to make sure that all students enter class on the first day with the minimum knowledge so that classes can progress at a normal pace and we can complete all the content within the 9 weeks. Everyone is on the same level, it doesn't matter if you know more or less, everything starts at the prework level, so as long as you try hard and complete the work, you’ll be prepared for what is coming. If you want to be an Ironhacker and start the prework needed to make the job change you are looking for, you can submit your application here .

The last two years ushered in a massive change in the way we think about work. We no longer view our jobs as a means to an end. We want careers that offer freedom and flexibility. We want passion and profit to seamlessly intertwine. The good news? That’s totally possible. But what does that look like in today’s career landscape? And how does that align with your desire to future proof your career with tech savvy and digital expertise? Welcome to the age of the portfolio professional If you haven’t heard the term “ portfolio career ”, chances are you will in the very near future. It’s a booming space in the world of work, one that is growing increasingly more popular every day. So what does it mean to have a portfolio career? Put simply, a portfolio professional is someone who earns money in a variety of different ways, whether that be through freelancing, running a side hustle, working as a part-time consultant or even juggling a number of roles simultaneously. The fact of the matter is that the ‘career for life’ concept has fallen out of fashion - and organisations are becoming wise to this. During the pandemic, businesses were forced to become more agile and remote. That opened new opportunities for independent talent to step in and provide vital services. Now, newly formed businesses offer remote as standard. To keep costs low, they turn to portfolio professionals . That’s good news for tech experts like you. According to Upwork’s Freelance Forward report, 75% of people who started freelancing during the pandemic make the same or more money now than they did in traditional work - 58% plan on remaining independent. This is the new normal. So how can you find your footing in the world of portfolio careers and what leverage does having tech expertise give you? Here are 4 ways having tech skills will benefit your portfolio career and launch you ahead of the competition. 1. Being tech proficient will keep costs down As a portfolio professional, you’re in charge of what you spend and who you outsource your work to. Let’s say you want to build a website to showcase your services. That is likely to cost a bit of money. So is the upkeep of that website. If you learn to build and maintain a website yourself, you’re putting the money you would have otherwise spent on hiring someone else back in your pocket. Let’s break it down. A website developer can cost anywhere from $30-200 per hour. A good one will be towards the top end of that range. Then you’ll have to think about the images and website copy. Will you have to pay someone else to provide those for you? Things quickly start to add up. Our advice? Think of a coding or web development course as an investment. Once you have those skills you can apply them a thousand different ways, whether that’s building your own website or getting paid to build websites for other people. The more skills you have, the more you can monetise them. Who knows, website building may even become a fundamental part of your regular income! 2. Technology opens doors for better collaboration If you want to grow your portfolio career, you need to know how to collaborate, both with clients and with other professionals in your field. Understanding technology will not only make collaboration easier, but it will make your skills even more valuable, ultimately resulting in higher rates. Then there is the opportunity to collaborate with people around the world. We’re no longer limited by geography. Technology has given freelancers and portfolio professionals in all countries the ability to connect with a global marketplace. You could be based in Spain but work with a designer in the Philippines. The same can be said for work opportunities. Tech skills are not bound by any particular language, meaning you can work for anyone, anywhere. The portfolio lifestyle opens you up to new opportunities, and your tech skills push you over that line. 3. Tech skills have never been more in-demand The good thing about a portfolio career is that there’s no limit to what you can do. That being said you don’t have to specialise solely in tech. You can be a lawyer AND a UX designer; a personal trainer AND an app developer - it’s totally up to you. Earlier this year, tech employment was predicted to grow by 37,000 positions in 2021 alone . The pandemic forced employers to realise that tech was needed for long-term growth and success. New technologies and needs are emerging every day, and if you’re ahead of the game, you can make a pretty penny on the side or even shift into one of these fields as your full-time focus. If you do decide to develop a highly-sought after tech specialisation like data science or software engineering, you can work with a growing number of tech companies that are hiring freelancers to fill gaps in specialised fields. The opportunities are truly endless. 4. Tech savvy makes you more versatile No matter what you do, technology is bound to be a fundamental part of your industry. Every career is becoming technology-focused and software-reliant. So if you know how to use the latest tools and understand the right data, you’ll be miles ahead of the competition when you want to pivot your focus or try something new. The most important thing is staying relevant, because tech changes - fast. That’s why upskilling and learning is so important in any portfolio career . It’s not simply a case of learning something once and you’re done. Rather, it’s about flexing your new tech muscles and being aware of any changes that are happening. Think a portfolio career is right for you? The good news is that you can transition as quickly or as slowly as you like. If you want to dive straight in and start freelancing, that’s fine. If you want to keep your full-time job and pick up some tech work on the side, that’s fine too! In the end, it’s about building a career you love and that makes the most of your skills, talents and interests. Want to learn more about the routes available and build a more focused portfolio career path? Come along to The Portfolio Collective’s free weekly Career Focus Workshop . If you have any questions, feel free to join their community and connect with other portfolio professionals. You might be surprised by what you discover! This article was written by The Portfolio Collective , the fastest growing global community for portfolio professionals. We’re on a mission to transform millions of portfolio professionals into accomplished entrepreneurs through an immersive blend of learning, collaboration, support and paid work opportunities.

Many people are already familiar with coding languages such as HTML, CSS and Python. React JS is a JavaScript library created for frontend development. It is a relatively new code that was developed in 2011 by a Facebook engineer in order to make frontend development easier and more efficient. It looks just like HTML code but is a library that expands massively on HTML's capabilities. (Note that it is more of a library than a framework .) If you need to build interactive elements on a website, React JS is a suitable and versatile option. It is easy to implement and also offers enhanced website performance. Nowadays, it is one of the most popular libraries or frameworks among frontend developers, alongside Vue and Angular. What is React JS used for? This library can be used to build interactive user interfaces which include vertical and horizontal menus and menu tabs, a search bar, clickable buttons and other features that require interaction from the user. It is a frontend code and is primarily used to build features for the user. For this reason, developers who use this particular library will often be working closely with UX or UI designers. In a nutshell, this library can be used to: Create large, interactive web applications Build mobile apps for Android and iOS using the Native library Build data visualization tools and dashboards Implement new interactive website features Create individual applications that change data without reloading the web page Benefits JavaScript developers benefit from some key features offered by React JS, in particular, JSX and virtual DOM. Most basic websites are built around HTML files and documents. Web browsers then display the HTML code on a laptop, smartphone or tablet, for instance, so that it is a browsable and usable website. In doing so, browsers such as Chrome and Safari create a Document Object Model - which looks a little like a family tree - to represent how the website is structured. In order to add dynamic content, developers need to modify the DOM which other coding languages such as JavaScript and CSS. This library also lets developers easily adapt a website’s DOM with a straightforward, HTML-type code. Adding new and independent features is quick and easy with this library as it uses a tree-type structure of components so a website or page can be put together or edited in blocks. Each component can be built independently, so updating it or adding new ones won't affect other areas of the website. Other frameworks that allow the manipulation of the DOM, for example, pure Javascript or JQuery, can lead to code that is unclear. This makes it difficult to maintain and update. React, however, uses components that contain logic as well as presentation and which are created by HTML, CSS and Javascript, so updating websites, or changing or adding features over time is much easier when done with this particular library. Continuously Updated Library This library is constantly in development from a global community of developers. This ensures it is adapted and updated regularly. It features a multitude of extensions and lets website users perform pretty much any interactive task while browsing. As its development is constantly ongoing, there are new capabilities and options added regularly. Expanding Your Skillset Anyone who wishes to work in frontend development and has a strong interest in user experience should add this library to their toolkit! It is an extremely valuable skill to have and is highly versatile when it comes to website development. Understanding the ins and outs of this code, along with the wide range of extensions it offers, will let you truly take advantage of this framework and develop websites creatively and efficiently. There are ample opportunities for frontend web developers in the tech industry today. Whether you wish to work for one company, freelance and work with multiple clients or start your own ecommerce business, for example, web development skills will be incredibly valuable for your career. Add React JS to your skillset to truly boost your abilities and skillset. Use in Graphic Design Graphic designers who design websites would also benefit greatly from proficiency in the React JS library. It requires some coding know-how and an understanding of how HTML works in general. However, the possibility to execute your ideas independently and ensure that a web page looks and functions exactly as you intended can be a huge advantage for any designer. Communicating ideas and requirements can be time-consuming when working with a developer. Plus, the final product can sometimes not look precisely as you imagined it. Equip yourself with the skills to build features independently and place yourself ahead of the pack. Freelance Web Developers Anyone who works as a freelance web developer would benefit greatly from knowledge and experience in this library. It is quick to work with and lets you quickly add new, independent features to a website that can later be adapted or edited as needed. It is extremely flexible and easy to manage. Coding for Entrepreneurs Coding skills are a huge advantage for entrepreneurs. Most companies and organizations nowadays have a website which needs to be maintained or perhaps updated regularly. The ability to perform updates yourself rather than hiring a developer to do so can save a lot of time and money. Entrepreneurs who wish to upskill and who already have a basic understanding of web development can easily add Javascript and React JS to their repertoire. It is particularly suited to ecommerce websites and lets you add independent features. This javascript library is suitable for small to large projects in any organization. If you want to learn React JS and improve your coding skillset, sign up for our Web Development bootcamp and take the next step in your career.

User Experience (UX) designers are in huge demand right now as businesses seek to streamline their online presences and attract maximum conversions. And if you're thinking about a career change, learning the secrets of user experience optimization could be a good way to go. In that case, you'll need to learn these key techniques which help today's leading designers brainstorm innovative new ways to make web sites work smoothly. So let's discover the mental tricks which lie behind great design, and give you a head start when taking the user experience route. 1. Consider every angle with SCAMPER visualization The best place to start a UX brainstorm is by creating an overview via the popular SCAMPER system. First introduced in the 1960s, this product design mantra features seven different pillars, all of which combine to give you a thorough sense of how your design is progressing. Listed in order, the seven sections are Substitution, Combination, Adaptation, Modification, Putting to other uses, Elimination, and Rearrangement . Some involve switching elements around to see if they disrupt the UX experience. Others help to remove unnecessary elements. And some look at efficiency, helping you create smoother pathways through websites. With a good SCAMPER report, you'll have a broad perspective across the whole project - gold dust when ensuring a silky smooth user experience. 2. Put on the right thinking hat Lateral thinking guru Edward de Bono introduced his "Six Thinking Hats" concept in 1985 and they still have a lot of relevance for contemporary UX projects. Like SCAMPER, they seek to cover maximum ground in a brainstorm session, helping you take control of every element - but with a focus on thinking creatively. Here are the six hats that you'll need to wear: White or "Logic" - What basic facts are you working with? Yellow or "Optimism" - What is the best case outcome and what works well now? Black or "Pessimism" - Conversely, what's not working and what are the major risk areas? Red or "Emotion" - What does the designer feel about the project? Does the user experience really work on an emotional level? Green or "Creativity" - Can we create something totally new to achieve better results? Blue or "Managing" - Are the rules and processes in place to get the best outcomes? As with SCAMPER, each aspect has its own importance and each hat needs to be worn seriously. Taken together, they can give you added confidence and awareness of exactly where your UX project is headed. 3. Explore the potential of mind mapping When we try to get from A to B, maps are absolutely essential. That also applies to UX journeys when we are trying to engineer the best possible online experience. And that's where mind mapping comes in. Mind mapping is a basic visualization technique which deals primarily with concrete problems. The general idea is to write down a problem and build a cluster of different solutions around that problem. For example, you might define the problem as "website speed" and add points like "use of graphics and video", "reduce redirects", "use browser caching" or "measure first input delay". By building clusters of related problems and solutions, you can organize work flows and focus on making effective interventions that are based around actual challenges. And you can take every possible solution into consideration as you brainstorm the overall project. 4. Leverage the power of groups Most UX designers don't work in a vacuum. Instead, they are part of larger teams involving coders, SEO experts, managers, writers, and engineers. Each project will have its own unique team attached, and it's vital to brainstorm the ideas of every participant to get maximum input. Fortunately, there are some great ways to do this, and the best of all is probably group sketching. It might sound like a parlor game, but group sketching can leverage group expertise in creative ways, so take it seriously. Here's the basic idea: start with a theme or problem and add 3-4 points based on your own perspective to a piece of paper. Fold the paper and ask a colleague to do the same, and proceed until every team member has contributed. Discuss the results in a physical or online group meeting and find out why perspectives diverge (if they do). The diverse material group sketching provides should add extra avenues that you may well miss on your own. 5. Get strategic with a SWOT analysis SWOT stands for "Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats" and it's one of the most famous business analysis tools. It's commonly used to assess business rivals, and you can certainly use it to match up your user experience ideas with alternatives. But the SWOT prism can also be used alone to optimize your project without reference to rivals. The four elements of a good SWOT brainstorm are as follows: Strengths - What is working well with our website or app at the moment? What doesn't need to be changed. Weaknesses - Why are we optimizing our site and not leaving it alone? What user experience issues are we solving? Opportunities - What can we achieve via optimizing user experience, and how does this improve our overall organization? Threats - What are the risks involved, and what are the threats emerging from similar site or apps from our direct competitors? The great thing about SWOT is that it's highly focused. You can zero in on ways to improve user experiences, take into account competition, and assess potential risks. It's an excellent starting point for any brainstorming operation. Refine your mental methods to achieve UX mastery User experience is one of the most profitable niches for coders and web developers, and it's a fascinating digital niche. At Ironhack, we offer bootcamps to suit people who want to explore user experience and web design careers, and we will equip everyone with the brainstorming skills required to master any project. So take a look at our UX UI Design Bootcamp and find a package that suits your needs.

Retraining for a career in web development or data analytics is more than just a change in the way you work. For many people, learning data analytics techniques can totally change the way they view the world, with consequences that go way beyond their professional tasks. If you choose a career change to data analysis, you can expect generous pay checks, plenty of choice about where you work, who you work for, and even how many hours you work. All of that is pretty much guaranteed. But in this article, we’ll be looking at benefits that are much more important. So let's dive in and explain what we mean. What Is Data Analytics and why is it so important? Before we go further, it helps to set out exactly what we're talking about. Data analysis involves taking huge datasets which often include millions of data points and turning this raw material into information that can shape the way we live. Doing this isn't simple. You need some knowledge of math and statistics, as well as coding skills and familiarity with analytics tools. All of that can be acquired via a good tech boot camp. And learning those skills can have huge implications for you and those around you. 1. Understand Public Policy at a Totally New Level One of the biggest immediate benefits of a career change to data analysis is that the world instantly becomes easier to understand. So many of the big questions that confront us are data driven. Think about pandemics and vaccine uptake, greenhouse gas emissions, inequality, and the way information spreads on social media. With an under-the-hood awareness of how data is created, you'll be able to pick out fake news and gain valuable insights into how the world works. That's a big deal for voters, investors, and ordinary citizens alike. 2. Become a Marketing Guru Overnight Another huge plus related to data analytics is the way it opens doors in the marketing world. So much of modern digital marketing revolves around data. Large and small companies need to know about click throughs, engagement rates, conversions, pay-per-click prices, keyword reach, and myriad other data points. Most managers aren't savvy when it comes to data, so they have come to rely on professionals to lead the way. So with a bit of data analysis experience, you could easily find yourself steering marketing campaigns and saving the fortunes of local businesses. 3. Gain a Totally New Appreciation of Pro Sports As any sports fan will confirm, data has always been a major part of the fan experience. Whether you're talking about batting averages, rushing yards, or 3-point accuracy, data and sports have a long relationship. But, the development of analytical technology in recent years has taken that relationship to another level. With strong data analysis skills, you can find ways to outfox friends in debates about Super Bowl contenders, or even find your way onto the ever-growing roster of data professionals at NFL teams. You can dominate Fantasy Football leagues as well, using your data awareness to leave competitors in the dust. 4. Become a Better Local Citizen Wherever you live, your local government is probably using data to inform its decisions about crime, zoning, environmental protection, housing, and - most commonly of all - traffic management. But, it's also likely that they are using this data inefficiently, failing to take advantage of the potential that data analytics holds. This means that when you make a career change to data analysis, you can also change the way you relate to local democracy. You might volunteer to help with civic campaigns, or even find work at City Hall. And if you want to go further, you could even put your data skills to work on election campaigns. These days, every election is data-driven, from the county level to the White House. 5. Make Your Workouts Go Further There's nothing geeky about data analytics. In fact, data analysis is also making a huge contribution to the way we exercise and stay healthy, and the more data skills you learn, the more effective your workouts can be. You can map your running distances, calories burned, heart rates, and routes to find a varied and effective cardio routine. Or, you could use similar data to work out how to peak for competitions, bringing in nutrition and sleep to complete the picture. And with the right tools, it's even possible to minimize the risk of injury and fatigue, helping you stay healthy for longer. 6. Pass on Key Skills to Your Kids Data analysis is also the kind of skill that children need to know about. They are going to live their lives in a world dominated by data, so understanding how it is collected, analyzed, and used is an incredibly valuable skill. Can you be confident that kids will learn data awareness and the skills needed to launch careers in this data-driven world? Perhaps. But if you have those skills and pass them on, your children will be in the pole position from the start. 7. Change Much More Than Your Career by Learning Data Analysis Everyone knows that this is the age of Big Data, but fewer people appreciate how data can change the way they live on a personal, day to day basis. As we've seen, making a career change to data analytics isn't just about job security or corporate progression. It opens a huge range of doors in everyday life from watching or playing sports to being a democratic citizen or helping out struggling businesses. The good news is that analytics aren't hard to learn, even for novices. Just enroll at Ironhack for an intensive Data Analytics Bootcamp , and you'll soon see the world in a totally new way.

The world of tech is ever-evolving, and there is a lot of cross-team collaboration required for many digital projects. Whether a team is working on an e-commerce website, an app, or a new piece of software, there will generally be a lot of information exchange required. Depending on the type of website or software that a developer is working on, they will need insights and information in order to build and maintain it. And, that's where a data analyst comes in. Whether it's measuring the search volume of keywords, analyzing the number of website visits in a given month, or examining reasons behind the bounce rate, the ways in which web developers work with data analysts varies from project to project. Data analysts may work with any team members in a company and provide information relating to different aspects of the business. They set up and work with programs and tools to pull data and produce reports. They then share their insights with relevant teams all across the business. For a web developer, factors such as website traffic and user behavior while on-site are important. These are the types of things they will consult an analyst for. What Does a Web Developer Do? Web developers use code to build websites and usually specialize either in front-end or back-end development. They may work along with other team members such as a UX designer or data analyst, depending on the type of project. Developers generally work with data analysts in relation to website maintenance. They may require information such as the number of sessions or site visits in a given time frame, the bounce rate, time on site, and, in the case of e-commerce sites, the number of sales or additions to carts. Web developers may also build and maintain apps or other software. Web developers need to be familiar with various coding languages - the most common of these are HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Other popular code includes Python, Ruby, Java, and PHP, and they work with tools such as GitHub, GitLab, and Jira in their day-to-day work. They collaborate closely with analysts when it comes to planning, as well as understanding the overall performance of a website, app, or piece of software. What Does a Data Analyst Do? Data analysts collect and process data relating to various aspects of website performance. They then turn it into meaningful information that lets other team members make decisions. It is important for a web developer to understand metrics such as traffic volume, page speed, and where visits are coming from. And it is a data analyst that can pull this information and present it in an understandable way. Factors such as time frame and progress compared with the previous year may also be important for an analyst to consider. They may need to clean a dataset and remove duplicate visits, for example, before drawing insights and presenting them to a developer. Using tools to pull data is one part of their role. Finding the story or 'pattern' behind it is another. Data Patterns and Trends Data analysts also assist web developers by identifying trends in data. They work with tools such as Tableau, SAS, Microsoft Excel, Google Analytics, and Apache Spark to do this. An analyst will need to know which tools are best suited to which types of data. They work by condensing large pieces of information into small, bitesize chunks that let stakeholders digest it quickly. It is important for analysts to be able to identify patterns and trends and to enjoy working with numbers and statistics. Collaboration Between Web Developers and Data Analysts Let's say a team is working on a recipe and wellness app. The developer is responsible for building it, but in order to build it effectively, they need to understand which sections of the app get the most traffic. Which pages or areas have a high bounce rate? Are there any features in the app that could be optimized? How many returning visitors does the app receive each month? And how many new signups does it get? A data analyst can help with these kinds of questions and will create reports to present the information to a developer in a concise way. The developer can then use the information to build the app further. Goals and Targets Data analysts also help developers to understand when their goals are being met. This is a crucial factor where these teammates collaborate. If a business has a target to increase traffic by 20% quarter over quarter, it is the analyst's job to report on the figures. This information can then be used by a developer - perhaps in collaboration with other team members such as a UX designer or business manager - to know whether or not they are on track or reached this target. Understanding the overall performance of any website or app is essential to its growth. Data-led Decisions It is very common for teams in the digital space to work towards quarterly goals. Data analysts are responsible for keeping everyone informed in relation to their progress towards these goals. Data is also often used to plan around future performance and is key in defining growth objectives for a business. It is also important in helping web developers to make decisions about how the website should be built and maintained. In this case, analysts need to study the current performance and present insights to developers.