Design
Demistified
An intuitive learning platform that makes graphic design skills accessible to everyone. Through short, engaging lessons, interactive projects, and a supportive community, users can develop professional design capabilities without a degree. The app's structured lessons allow aspiring designers to build portfolios and advance their careers on their own terms.
The difficulty of acquiring professional graphic design skills outside of formal education can be overwhelming at the best of times. Many individuals struggle with complex design software, lack structured learning resources, and have limited access to expert guidance. This skills gap prevents talented people from entering the design field or enhancing their current work with quality design elements.
Design Thinking
is the most important concept to focus on according to surveyed design professors
Short Bursts of Info
is the preferred method of learning a new skill by the majority of surveyed students
80% of Non-Design Students
prefer hands-on lessons to learn design principles rather that online tutorials
"Anyone can learn software, but developing design intuition takes guided practice."
— Design Professor
See the
Solution
Online Courses
Breadth, not Depth
Offer wide variety of design courses but lack cohesive learning paths
Inaccessible
Often require one-time purchase or recurring subscription
Disconnected
No built-in tools to follow along with courses, rely on external software
Traditional Education
Commitment
Comprehensive curriculum, but requires significant time commitment (2-4+ years)
Barrier to Entry
Degree programs often cost thousands of dollars
Inflexible
Highly structured programs often don't work for working people
YouTube Tutorials
Quantity, not Quality
Quality of tutorials varies and teaching approaches are inconsistent
Progression
Tutorials or series' can be incomplete
Isolated
No mechanism for feedback after completing a design
We seek to understand the specific barriers preventing aspiring designers from acquiring professional graphic design skills outside traditional education pathways. We aim to identify the most effective learning methods, feedback mechanisms, and support structures that would enable users to develop marketable design capabilities efficiently outside the confines of a classroom.
1
What are the most effective methods for teaching design concepts?
2
What motivators are students the most likely to respond to?
3
Where do people perceive the value to be in a design course?
4
What trends are emerging in other design courses?
Our research process included targeted surveys across three key groups: design professors, design majors, and non-design students. Throughout our results, we gathered insights on learning preferences, feedback mechanisms, and educational needs. These surveys provided valuable data on effective teaching methods and industry trends that directly informed the development of our unique platform.
75%
of aspiring graphic designers cite software complexity as a major barrier.
55%
of students said portfolio quality is more important than formal accreditation.
1
Lessons need to be short and engaging
2
Include clear pathways and visual feedback for skill progression
3
Focus on design thinking and concepts beyond technical skills
4
Don't rely on potentially inaccessible external resources
Sara Chen
Sara works at a growing tech startup where she's increasingly asked to create visual content for social media and company presentations. With no formal design training, she's been relying on templates and basic tools, but feels her career growth is limited by her design skills gap.
Sara learns best through short demonstrations followed by practice. She prefers mobile-friendly learning for her commute or lunch breaks. She values clear progression, responds well to community feedback, and wants to see immediate application to real-world projects.
Sara aims to develop professional design skills to enhance her current role and potentially transition to a marketing design position. She wants to learn at her own pace without committing to a degree program, focusing on understanding core principles beyond just software tools. Building confidence in presenting her visual work to colleagues is a key priority.
Overwhelmed by complex design software
Finds online tutorials lacking in structure
Can't find free time for lengthy courses
Small local design community
Limited access to college design programs
"I need something that fits into my busy life and shows me not just how to use the tools, but how to think like a designer."
Ideation
Phase
High
Short, Guided Lessons
Project Learning Paths
Progress Tracking Dashboard
Simple Gamification Elements
Foundational Design Principle Modules
Skill Assessment Tools
Mid
Basic Peer Feedback System
Advanced Project Challenges
Interactive Design Tool Tutorials
Social Sharing Integration
Resource Library
Low
Design Marketplace
Real-time Collaboration Tools
Certification Program
Job Board
Pain Point
"How do I know which lesson to start with?"
"Do I add courses from the home screen?"
"Can I use my Adobe login?"
"How do I get feedback?"
Opportunity
Clearer progression markers
Dedicated section for new courses
Login with Adobe functionality
Share button after lesson complete
Our
Solution
Everything you need in one place. Our intuitive dashboard helps you navigate your design journey effortlessly. See an overall view of your progress in every course and your streak, with the ability to explore another topic with one tap.
Watch your design skills grow in real-time. Our visual tracking shows how far you've come and what's next on your path for each course. Dive deep into your favorite design topics and motivate yourself by tracking how much you've accomplished.
Learn design in the pockets of your day. Our short lessons fit into your busy schedule, delivering focused knowledge you can immediately apply to real projects. Making real progress without a large time investment means you can accomplish your design goals without losing steam.
Explore all that the field of design has to offer or become a specialist in your favorite area. A variety of courses in every design area with progression for those of different skill levels means that you can learn something new, whatever your background.
Simplicity and expressiveness are two core pillars for the brand and design throughout the app. Inspired by the simple, yet iconic typography of the Bauhaus design school, the wordmark for Haus delivers a balance of personality in its playful colors and geometry, and reliability as a springboard for your design journey.
A bold and confident type palette balances distinctive personality with functional clarity. Bold, geometric type marks key waypoints in the learning journey, while allowing instructional content to remain highly readable.
A balance of approachability and creative energy reflects the journey of learning design. Neutral foundations provide clarity for beginners, while vibrant accents spark inspiration and mark achievements.
Friendly, subtle bounces signal accomplishments and reinforce positive actions, making the learning process feel rewarding. Transitions maintain momentum without overwhelming, using directional movement to reinforce progress through lessons and courses.
Simple, monochrome icons distill complex design concepts into clear, intuitive visuals that aid in understanding without overwhelming. This deliberate simplicity mirrors design thinking, reducing elements to their essential form while preserving meaning and functionality.
Problems
Solved
Introduces structured design education outside of formal degree programs
Alternative to prohibitive costs of traditional design education
Unified learning experience, separate from online tutorials
Presents clear learning paths tailored to specific career goals
Ability to practice design skills as a busy person
Guidance on what design skills to learn and when to learn them
Where to
Next?
Collaborative learning exercises
Design challenges with real briefs
Integrated job board for internships and freelance opportunities
Certification program
Detailed recreations of industry standard software
Courses for experienced designers looking to branch out into other fields