CoCreate vs NN Group Review: Which AI UX Course is Right for You? (2026)
Two respected names in UX education, two very different approaches to AI training. This honest comparison will help you choose based on your learning style, timeline, and goals—not just brand recognition.
🎯 Quick Decision Guide
Choose CoCreate if you:
- ✓Want live, cohort-based instruction
- ✓Need fast results (6 weeks to job-ready)
- ✓Value weekly 1:1 coaching and feedback
- ✓Want curriculum updated every cohort
- ✓Prefer small class sizes (max 10 students)
- ✓Need accountability and structure
Choose NN Group if you:
- ✓Prefer self-paced, flexible learning
- ✓Want the most recognized UX research authority
- ✓Value NN Group's decades of credibility
- ✓Can learn independently from pre-recorded content
- ✓Want comprehensive UX research methodology
- ✓Have flexibility in your timeline
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | CoCreate | Nielsen Norman Group |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Live cohort (100% live sessions) | Self-paced (pre-recorded) |
| Duration | 6 weeks | Varies by course (typically 4-8 weeks) |
| Time to Job-Ready | 6 weeks (at completion) | 12-24 weeks (2-3x course duration) |
| Price | $1,490 | $1,200-$2,400 (varies by course) |
| Class Size | Max 10 students | Unlimited enrollment |
| Instructor Access | Weekly 1:1 coaching (30 min) | Limited (Q&A forums, occasional office hours) |
| Project Work | Portfolio-ready project during course | Optional exercises, no structured project |
| Curriculum Updates | 25% updated every cohort | Annual or less frequent |
| Learning Style | Structured with deadlines, peer learning | Self-directed, flexible pace |
Detailed Comparison
Format & Delivery
CoCreate: 100% Live Cohort Learning
Every session is live. You meet weekly with your cohort (maximum 10 students) for 120-minute interactive sessions. Real-time demos, live Q&A, hands-on exercises, and immediate feedback. You also get 30-minute weekly 1:1 coaching sessions. This format ensures you can ask questions specific to your workflow and get answers immediately.
NN Group: Self-Paced Online Learning
Pre-recorded video lectures you can watch on your own schedule. Access to course materials for a set period (often 3-6 months). Q&A forums and occasional office hours, but no regular live interaction. This format works if you're self-motivated and good at learning independently, but lacks the accountability and real-time feedback of live sessions.
Curriculum & Content
CoCreate: Practical AI Integration Focus
Curriculum focuses on integrating 20+ AI tools into real UX workflows: research, ideation, prototyping, and designing AI-native products. You learn Cursor, Figma AI, Claude, ChatGPT, and more through hands-on projects. Curriculum updated 25% every cohort to include the latest 2025/2026 tools. Assumes you already know UX fundamentals.
Key Differentiator: You graduate with a portfolio-ready AI-native project, not just certificates.
NN Group: UX Research Methodology with AI
Comprehensive UX research methodology with AI applications. Covers usability principles, evidence-based design, and how AI can enhance traditional UX research. Strong emphasis on research rigor and methodology. Curriculum updated annually or less frequently, which can be a concern given how fast AI evolves.
Key Differentiator: Decades of UX research credibility and the most recognized authority in the field.
Instructor & Support
CoCreate: Danny Setiawan + Weekly 1:1 Coaching
Taught by Danny Setiawan, 20-year UX veteran with experience at The Economist, Yahoo! Finance, and Fortune 500 companies. You get weekly 30-minute 1:1 coaching sessions for personalized feedback. Small cohort size (max 10) means more individual attention. Real-time Q&A during live sessions.
NN Group: Expert Instructors + Limited Access
Taught by NN Group's expert instructors, many of whom are recognized leaders in UX research. However, with unlimited enrollment and pre-recorded format, you have limited direct access. Q&A forums and occasional office hours, but no regular 1:1 time.
Pricing & Value
CoCreate: $1,490 (6 weeks)
Fixed price includes all live sessions, 1:1 coaching, materials, and portfolio project support. You're job-ready in 6 weeks, so the effective cost per week of job-ready time is $248/week.
Value Proposition: Fastest path to job-ready AI UX skills with maximum support.
NN Group: $1,200-$2,400 (varies)
Price varies by specific course and format. Typically includes 3-6 months of access to pre-recorded content. If it takes 12-24 weeks to become job-ready (2-3x course duration), the effective cost per week of job-ready time could be $50-$100/week, but over a much longer timeline.
Value Proposition: Most recognized UX research authority with comprehensive methodology.
Outcomes & Results
CoCreate Outcomes
- • Job-ready in 6 weeks (at course completion)
- • Portfolio-ready AI-native project
- • 3x productivity increase reported by students
- • 75% reduction in research time
- • Graduates hired at Amazon, Microsoft, NYC.gov
- • Certificate of Completion
NN Group Outcomes
- • Comprehensive UX research methodology knowledge
- • Understanding of AI applications in UX research
- • Highly recognized certificate in UX community
- • Access to NN Group's research library
- • Job-ready timeline: 12-24 weeks (self-paced)
- • Certificate of Completion
Honest Pros & Cons
CoCreate
Pros:
- ✓ 100% live sessions with real-time feedback
- ✓ Job-ready in 6 weeks
- ✓ Weekly 1:1 coaching
- ✓ Small class size (max 10)
- ✓ Curriculum updated every cohort
- ✓ Portfolio-ready project included
- ✓ Money-back guarantee
Cons:
- ✗ Less brand recognition than NN Group
- ✗ Fixed schedule (less flexibility)
- ✗ Higher upfront cost than some self-paced options
- ✗ Requires 5-7 hours/week commitment
NN Group
Pros:
- ✓ Most recognized UX research authority
- ✓ Decades of credibility and research
- ✓ Self-paced, flexible schedule
- ✓ Comprehensive methodology coverage
- ✓ Highly recognized certificates
- ✓ Access to NN Group research library
Cons:
- ✗ Pre-recorded (no live interaction)
- ✗ Longer time to job-ready (12-24 weeks)
- ✗ Limited instructor access
- ✗ Curriculum updates less frequent
- ✗ No structured portfolio project
- ✗ Requires strong self-discipline
When to Choose Each
Choose CoCreate when:
- • You need AI UX skills urgently (job search, promotion cycle)
- • You thrive in structured, cohort-based learning
- • You want live feedback and real-time Q&A
- • You need a portfolio project to show employers
- • You want the latest 2025/2026 AI tools and techniques
- • You're willing to commit 5-7 hours/week for 6 weeks
- • You prefer small class sizes and personalized attention
Choose NN Group when:
- • You want the most recognized UX research authority
- • You prefer self-paced, flexible learning
- • You're good at learning independently from videos
- • You want comprehensive UX research methodology
- • You have flexibility in your timeline (not urgent)
- • You value NN Group's decades of credibility
- • You need a highly recognized certificate in the UX community
Total Investment Comparison
Remember: Total Investment = Price + (Time-to-job-ready in months × Monthly opportunity cost)
CoCreate:
$1,490 + (1.5 months × opportunity cost) = Job-ready in 6 weeks
NN Group:
$1,200-$2,400 + (3-6 months × opportunity cost) = Job-ready in 12-24 weeks
If your monthly opportunity cost is high (e.g., delayed promotion, missed freelance projects), CoCreate's faster timeline may be the better investment despite the higher upfront cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose between CoCreate and NN Group?
Choose CoCreate if you want live cohort instruction with 1:1 coaching and fast results (6 weeks). Choose NN Group if you prefer self-paced learning with the most recognized UX research authority.
Which course is better for experienced UX designers?
Both work for experienced designers, but CoCreate focuses on practical AI integration into workflows with live feedback, while NN Group offers comprehensive UX research methodology with AI applications.
What is the price difference between CoCreate and NN Group?
CoCreate is $1,490 for a 6-week live cohort. NN Group courses typically range from $1,200-$2,400 depending on the specific program and format. Both offer different value propositions.
Does NN Group offer live sessions?
NN Group primarily offers self-paced online courses with pre-recorded content, though they occasionally offer live virtual conferences. CoCreate offers 100% live sessions with real-time interaction.
Which course gets you job-ready faster?
CoCreate gets you job-ready in 6 weeks (course duration) with live sessions and hands-on projects. NN Group self-paced courses typically require 2-3x the course duration to become job-ready due to the lack of live feedback and accountability.
What makes NN Group courses different?
NN Group is the most recognized authority in UX research, founded by Jakob Nielsen and Don Norman. Their courses emphasize research methodology, usability principles, and evidence-based design. They have decades of credibility in the UX field.
What makes CoCreate courses different?
CoCreate offers 100% live cohort-based learning with maximum 10 students, weekly 1:1 coaching, and curriculum updated 25% every cohort. The focus is on practical AI integration into real UX workflows, not just theory.
Can I get a certificate from both courses?
Yes, both CoCreate and NN Group offer certificates of completion. NN Group certificates are highly recognized in the UX research community. CoCreate certificates demonstrate practical AI integration skills.
Which course is better for someone with no AI experience?
CoCreate is better for AI beginners because of live sessions, real-time Q&A, and hands-on guidance. NN Group courses assume some baseline knowledge and are better for those who can learn independently from pre-recorded content.
How often are the courses updated?
CoCreate updates 25% of curriculum every cohort (every 6 weeks) to include the latest AI tools. NN Group updates their courses annually or less frequently, which can be a concern given how fast AI technology evolves.