I am assuming that perhaps since the downloaded script is the full version that there is some missing configuration in the editor for the awake method since it has not been discussed in the videos(i think)
But i am always getting this error unless i comment the method.
In what lesson is the awake method used? could that be a unity version mismatch?
Below is the full error message.
NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object
buttons.Awake () (at Assets/UI Design/Scripts/buttons.cs:14)
When you get an error like that it's usually because something was not assigned. In this case the awake method is trying to grab the text component by including this:
chatText = chatText.GetComponent<Text>();
It's written in a way that it's looking for the text component directly from the object called chatText. You'll need to assign it manually. In the project files the completed scene has this assigned for you.