Design resources
If you’re trying to get started with a career in design, whether it be Product Design, Web Design, Graphic Design, or anything in between, it can be hard to figure out where to start. So I created this list of free and low cost resources to help you get started.
Here you’ll find a list of my recommendations of the following:
Content creators
Books and resources
Podcasts
Educational programs
Courses
Communities
… and beyond
But first things first, welcome to the design community!
Videos about design, remote careers in tech, life in San Diego, and beyond
Educational videos about careers in design and stories about my experiences working as a designer in the tech industry.
Why we are no longer designing for delight - an important lesson in Product Design
A better way to use LINKEDIN – networking strategies for designers
I'm a 2nd generation Product Designer: A conversation about design with my dad
The TOP 3 lessons I learned in DESIGN SCHOOL - Traditional design school education
Salary, stock, benefits! How to ACCEPT your first job offer at a tech company
Product Designer explains *Design Thinking*
Hello, I’m Alexa on YouTube
I help people fulfill their dream of becoming a designer and grow into their potential but it’s not without hard work and dedication. Subscribe to my channel on YouTube for new content each month to support your career in design and tech.
Design creators
Learn design from some of my favorite design creators and friends
Femke is a Product Designer, podcaster, educator and mentor creating content about her learnings and experience being a designer in tech.
Charli is a web and graphic designer who’s passionate about helping creative professionals increase their worth by improving their craft and process.
Maddy shares videos about UI/UX design including process, behind the scenes looks at projects, design tutorials, wfh vlogs, and productivity tips.
Follow Sera as she shares her knowledge working in the tech industry, building a business, mastering the craft, and going behind the scenes of being a designer.
Books and case studies
Professional case studies
Design for business impact by Designer Fund
Design software
Learning resources
Figma
Learn Design by Figma
Best practices by Figma
Sketch
Sketch 101 by Sketch
The Ultimate Guide to Getting Started In Sketch by DesignLab
AdobeXD
Adobe XD guide by Adobe
Baseline with Joey Banks
Personalized Figma and design system training, for individuals and teams.
Skillshare
Use code “ANNUAL30AFF” for 30% off new Skillshare subscription
6 Tactics For Getting Organized in Figma with Maddy Beard
6 Tips for Streamlining Components in Figma with Maddy Beard
Design podcasts
Design Life with Charli Prangley and Femke van Schoohoven
Design Life is a podcast about design and side projects for motivated creators.
Design Better with Aarron Walter and Eli Woolery
Uncover insights from the world’s top design leaders.
Re:Considering with Bob Baxley, Meredith Black, and Aarron Walter
Reconsidering explores how to live a more satisfying life by getting fresh perspective on your career, relationships, and the values that guide you through inevitable changes.
Digital guide for early career Product Designers
If you’re just getting started in Product Design and not sure where to start then check out my $10 mini, digital guidebook for help.
Customizable illustration collections by Blush
Easily create and customize stunning illustrations with collections made by artists across the globe.
Universities which support a career in Product Design
As of right now, I am only familiar with colleges which are based in the United States
Product Design courses for beginners
Get started with your career in Product Design with one of these online courses which I recommend.
Springboard
Use code “HelloAlexaSB1000” to get $1,000 off of Springboard’s UI/UX Design Career Track or UX Design Career Track
Springboard's online UX and UI/UX Design programs are 6-9 months long with flexible learning and personalized 1:1 mentorship from top design talent across the globe. You'll finish the course with a 40 hour industry design project and have partnered with a real company solving real-world design problems. They back their program with a job guarantee. Get a job or you'll receive a full refund.
The Craft
Use code “ALEXA-10” to get 10% off The Craft’s Product Design (UX) Bootcamp
The Craft empowers designers and bridges the gap between theory and real-world experience. Their bootcamp makes design accessible and sets students up for success before graduation.
Designlab
Designlab is an online education platform where aspiring and experienced digital designers go to start and grow their careers. Designlab teaches in-demand UX/UI design skills in an async format with a focus on 1-on-1 mentorship and hands-on projects.
If you already have experience in visual design, apply to UX Academy. Otherwise, try their foundational course. Get $100 off when you enroll in UX Academy Foundations.
They also offer 4-week short courses if you’re interested in learning skills in specific areas: Design 101, UI Design, UX Research & Strategy, UX: Interaction Design, and Data-Driven Design.
Courses for advanced skills
Product Strategy for Designers with Femke
Learn to advocate for your ideas, influence your team–and step up your product design career. With Femke’s product design strategy course, you will learn to make sense of ambiguous product challenges, make design decisions based in strong rationale, and ultimately influence product roadmaps all while bringing more value to your team.
Business Essentials for Designers
Build your foundational understanding of business to drive strategy and impact. Check out Designer Fund’s workshops set to help you transform from a designer to a strategic leader at your company.
Communities
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Rethink Leadership Circle
Rethink is a worldwide community of product design professionals navigating growth, ambiguity, and change. Rethink provide curated learning opportunities for product design professionals to become better design leaders by engaging them to teach and learn.
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Designer Fund Collective
Designer Fund Collective is a community of leaders who help startups improve the world through good design. This is a private community for designers, founders, and angels from the Designer Fund portfolio, programs, and select design-centric companies.
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femke.design
This is a mastermind – you'll join a group of other designers who are at various stages of their career and looking to invest more in their growth and professional development. Together you’ll learn, grow, and empower each other through live events, design crits future workshops and more.
Disclaimer: Some links included on this page are affiliate links. I only recommend products or services which I know, trust, and think are valuable products and resources for the community. I may receive a small commission on this sale but this is at no additional cost to you. The earnings support me and my work so I can continue to provide you with great content and resources.