Details
This class isn’t about theory (though fair warning: you’ll come out sounding dangerously professional by the end of it). It’s about rolling up your sleeves and doing the work. To get the most out of it, you’ll need:
This class isn’t about theory (though fair warning: you’ll come out sounding dangerously professional by the end of it). It’s about rolling up your sleeves and doing the work. To get the most out of it, you’ll need:
This class isn’t about theory (though fair warning: you’ll come out sounding dangerously professional by the end of it). It’s about rolling up your sleeves and doing the work. To get the most out of it, you’ll need:
A brand to move through:
your own product, service, or studio brand. Or, bring a side project or idea you’ve been itching to explore. The point is to work on something that’s yours so you can apply everything directly, not design in the abstract.
A brand to move through:
your own product, service, or studio brand. Or, bring a side project or idea you’ve been itching to explore. The point is to work on something that’s yours so you can apply everything directly, not design in the abstract.
A brand to move through:
your own product, service, or studio brand. Or, bring a side project or idea you’ve been itching to explore. The point is to work on something that’s yours so you can apply everything directly, not design in the abstract.
Tools:
Paper + Pen
Start simple. Sketch, jot, and brainstorm by hand, it’s where ideas loosen up before they hit the screen.
Paper + Pen
Start simple. Sketch, jot, and brainstorm by hand, it’s where ideas loosen up before they hit the screen.
Paper + Pen
Start simple. Sketch, jot, and brainstorm by hand, it’s where ideas loosen up before they hit the screen.
Layout Programs
For layout and sharing. We recommend XD so we can hop into your files for feedback, but you can also upload homework to Notion.
Layout Programs
For layout and sharing. We recommend XD so we can hop into your files for feedback, but you can also upload homework to Notion.
Layout Programs
For layout and sharing. We recommend XD so we can hop into your files for feedback, but you can also upload homework to Notion.
Illustrator or Pixelmator Pro
For refining logos, icons, and other vector elements. You’ll use this to turn your sketches into scalable brand assets.
Illustrator or Pixelmator Pro
For refining logos, icons, and other vector elements. You’ll use this to turn your sketches into scalable brand assets.
Illustrator or Pixelmator Pro
For refining logos, icons, and other vector elements. You’ll use this to turn your sketches into scalable brand assets.
Computer + Internet
The invisible ingredients. Without them, nothing gets baked.
Computer + Internet
The invisible ingredients. Without them, nothing gets baked.
Computer + Internet
The invisible ingredients. Without them, nothing gets baked.
Time
Plan to spend at least 10 hours a week creating, revising, and participating: design builds through practice.
Time
Plan to spend at least 10 hours a week creating, revising, and participating: design builds through practice.
Time
Plan to spend at least 10 hours a week creating, revising, and participating: design builds through practice.
Fonts
You’ll likely invest in one or two typefaces. We’ll guide you toward the right ones (both free and paid) to bring your brand to life.
Fonts
You’ll likely invest in one or two typefaces. We’ll guide you toward the right ones (both free and paid) to bring your brand to life.
Fonts
You’ll likely invest in one or two typefaces. We’ll guide you toward the right ones (both free and paid) to bring your brand to life.
How It Works
The Classroom
Oct. 20 - Dec. 10
Our classroom is fully virtual: a mix of live sessions and self-paced modules. Each week, you’ll move through guided workbooks that take you from strategy to design to critique. The live calls are where we meet: a space for Q&A, feedback, and real-time discussion. You’ll also receive private critique on your submitted work for deeper, personalized guidance. Think of it as equal parts studio, study hall, and creative critique circle with structure, accountability, and support every step of the way.
The Classroom
Oct. 20 - Dec. 10
Our classroom is fully virtual: a mix of live sessions and self-paced modules. Each week, you’ll move through guided workbooks that take you from strategy to design to critique. The live calls are where we meet: a space for Q&A, feedback, and real-time discussion. You’ll also receive private critique on your submitted work for deeper, personalized guidance. Think of it as equal parts studio, study hall, and creative critique circle with structure, accountability, and support every step of the way.
The Classroom
Oct. 20 - Dec. 10
Our classroom is fully virtual: a mix of live sessions and self-paced modules. Each week, you’ll move through guided workbooks that take you from strategy to design to critique. The live calls are where we meet: a space for Q&A, feedback, and real-time discussion. You’ll also receive private critique on your submitted work for deeper, personalized guidance. Think of it as equal parts studio, study hall, and creative critique circle with structure, accountability, and support every step of the way.
Circle
our public community space where announcements, questions, and conversations happen between calls.
Circle
our public community space where announcements, questions, and conversations happen between calls.
Circle
our public community space where announcements, questions, and conversations happen between calls.
Notion
your private binder and homework hub where your weekly workbooks live and where you’ll upload assignments for private critique and review.
Notion
your private binder and homework hub where your weekly workbooks live and where you’ll upload assignments for private critique and review.
Notion
your private binder and homework hub where your weekly workbooks live and where you’ll upload assignments for private critique and review.
Zoom
Our live classroom is where we gather for questions, creative conversation (what some might call critique), and group discussion. Recordings are always available.
Zoom
Our live classroom is where we gather for questions, creative conversation (what some might call critique), and group discussion. Recordings are always available.
Zoom
Our live classroom is where we gather for questions, creative conversation (what some might call critique), and group discussion. Recordings are always available.
Lessons
Each module comes with a guided workbook: prompts, exercises, and reflections that you’ll apply directly to your brand. It’s where strategy meets design, and learning turns tangible.
Lessons
Each module comes with a guided workbook: prompts, exercises, and reflections that you’ll apply directly to your brand. It’s where strategy meets design, and learning turns tangible.
Lessons
Each module comes with a guided workbook: prompts, exercises, and reflections that you’ll apply directly to your brand. It’s where strategy meets design, and learning turns tangible.
Live Call Schedule
Every Wednesday at 2 PM EST (except Thanksgiving week moved to Monday, Nov. 24 and the following week to Tuesday, December 2)
Live Call Schedule
Every Wednesday at 2 PM EST (except Thanksgiving week moved to Monday, Nov. 24 and the following week to Tuesday, December 2)
Live Call Schedule
Every Wednesday at 2 PM EST (except Thanksgiving week moved to Monday, Nov. 24 and the following week to Tuesday, December 2)
(us sharing our work with each other)
FAQS: the questions we’d ask too : )
Founders, designers, and creative entrepreneurs who want to build (or rebuild) a brand identity through guided practice, feedback, and collaboration. You don’t need to be a professional designer: just someone ready to get hands-on.
Not necessarily! We recommend Adobe XD and Illustrator (or Figma + Pixelmator) for the best collaboration experience, but you can also use Canva and upload your work to Notion for feedback. We’ll guide you through the process *** this isn’t a software tutorial, it’s about design thinking and brand execution.
Totally fine. You can bring a new idea, a rebrand, or even a personal project you’ve been itching to explore. The goal is to work on something that feels meaningful and real, not hypothetical.
About 10-15 hours per week: enough to attend live sessions, complete your assignments, and engage in feedback. Think of it like a creative gym: consistency and participation matter more than perfection.
Live sessions will be held on Wednesdays at 2 PM EST (with the exception of the week of Thanksgiving - that call will be on Monday). Each call will be recorded and added to your Notion hub afterward, so you can rewatch or catch up if you can’t make it live. Each live call runs ~90 minutes and includes: → Quick check-ins and reflections → Open Q&A on that week’s workbook → Live critique and screen-share feedback → Optional breakout discussions for peer review
The full 8-week experience: live lessons, weekly critiques, community access, and personalized feedback from us (Ellen + Michelle). The Beta just means you’re getting early access at a discounted rate while we refine the experience alongside you.
A complete brand identity including your logo, submark, color palette, art direction, and typography, all shaped through the strategy and creative direction you’ll create yourself. You’ll keep access to your Notion brand portal, where your work, notes, and references live, along with a set of module workbooks you can revisit anytime to refresh on brand terms, design principles, and process. You’ll also receive six months of access to our Circle community, where continued discussion, feedback, and connection live beyond the program. You’ll leave with a clear visual language, exports aligned to brand standards, and a deeper understanding of how to express your brand across different formats. This isn’t a web, marketing, or product design program. It’s a guided framework for building a cohesive, embodied brand identity that feels like you.
Absolutely. The Class is designed to sharpen your eye, strengthen your critique skills, and stretch your creative process. Many designers join for accountability, fresh perspective, and honest feedback that’s hard to find working solo.
The Beta round is $2,222. You can pay all at once or have your payment split in 2, and you can book a quick Decision Support call if you’d like to talk it through before joining.
That’s the point and the beauty of The Class. Vulnerability is part of the creative process, and we’ve built this community to make it feel safe, encouraging, and constructive. You’ll be met with care, clarity, and curiosity every step of the way.
Totally okay. Michelle went to graphic design school and they still didn’t teach the programs. Ellen’s entirely self-taught. The truth is, once you understand what you’re designing and why, the tutorials become a lot more focused and intuitive. That said, we’re not going to teach you how to use the programs themselves. You’ll want to give yourself extra space and time each week to get messy, click around, maybe watch a YouTube tutorial or 2, and learn by doing. The Class will guide your thinking, not your mastery of the programs.
Founders, designers, and creative entrepreneurs who want to build (or rebuild) a brand identity through guided practice, feedback, and collaboration. You don’t need to be a professional designer: just someone ready to get hands-on.
Not necessarily! We recommend Adobe XD and Illustrator (or Figma + Pixelmator) for the best collaboration experience, but you can also use Canva and upload your work to Notion for feedback. We’ll guide you through the process *** this isn’t a software tutorial, it’s about design thinking and brand execution.
Totally fine. You can bring a new idea, a rebrand, or even a personal project you’ve been itching to explore. The goal is to work on something that feels meaningful and real, not hypothetical.
About 10-15 hours per week: enough to attend live sessions, complete your assignments, and engage in feedback. Think of it like a creative gym: consistency and participation matter more than perfection.
Live sessions will be held on Wednesdays at 2 PM EST (with the exception of the week of Thanksgiving - that call will be on Monday). Each call will be recorded and added to your Notion hub afterward, so you can rewatch or catch up if you can’t make it live. Each live call runs ~90 minutes and includes: → Quick check-ins and reflections → Open Q&A on that week’s workbook → Live critique and screen-share feedback → Optional breakout discussions for peer review
The full 8-week experience: live lessons, weekly critiques, community access, and personalized feedback from us (Ellen + Michelle). The Beta just means you’re getting early access at a discounted rate while we refine the experience alongside you.
A complete brand identity including your logo, submark, color palette, art direction, and typography, all shaped through the strategy and creative direction you’ll create yourself. You’ll keep access to your Notion brand portal, where your work, notes, and references live, along with a set of module workbooks you can revisit anytime to refresh on brand terms, design principles, and process. You’ll also receive six months of access to our Circle community, where continued discussion, feedback, and connection live beyond the program. You’ll leave with a clear visual language, exports aligned to brand standards, and a deeper understanding of how to express your brand across different formats. This isn’t a web, marketing, or product design program. It’s a guided framework for building a cohesive, embodied brand identity that feels like you.
Absolutely. The Class is designed to sharpen your eye, strengthen your critique skills, and stretch your creative process. Many designers join for accountability, fresh perspective, and honest feedback that’s hard to find working solo.
The Beta round is $2,222. You can pay all at once or have your payment split in 2, and you can book a quick Decision Support call if you’d like to talk it through before joining.
That’s the point and the beauty of The Class. Vulnerability is part of the creative process, and we’ve built this community to make it feel safe, encouraging, and constructive. You’ll be met with care, clarity, and curiosity every step of the way.
Totally okay. Michelle went to graphic design school and they still didn’t teach the programs. Ellen’s entirely self-taught. The truth is, once you understand what you’re designing and why, the tutorials become a lot more focused and intuitive. That said, we’re not going to teach you how to use the programs themselves. You’ll want to give yourself extra space and time each week to get messy, click around, maybe watch a YouTube tutorial or 2, and learn by doing. The Class will guide your thinking, not your mastery of the programs.
Founders, designers, and creative entrepreneurs who want to build (or rebuild) a brand identity through guided practice, feedback, and collaboration. You don’t need to be a professional designer: just someone ready to get hands-on.
Not necessarily! We recommend Adobe XD and Illustrator (or Figma + Pixelmator) for the best collaboration experience, but you can also use Canva and upload your work to Notion for feedback. We’ll guide you through the process *** this isn’t a software tutorial, it’s about design thinking and brand execution.
Totally fine. You can bring a new idea, a rebrand, or even a personal project you’ve been itching to explore. The goal is to work on something that feels meaningful and real, not hypothetical.
About 10-15 hours per week: enough to attend live sessions, complete your assignments, and engage in feedback. Think of it like a creative gym: consistency and participation matter more than perfection.
Live sessions will be held on Wednesdays at 2 PM EST (with the exception of the week of Thanksgiving - that call will be on Monday). Each call will be recorded and added to your Notion hub afterward, so you can rewatch or catch up if you can’t make it live. Each live call runs ~90 minutes and includes: → Quick check-ins and reflections → Open Q&A on that week’s workbook → Live critique and screen-share feedback → Optional breakout discussions for peer review
The full 8-week experience: live lessons, weekly critiques, community access, and personalized feedback from us (Ellen + Michelle). The Beta just means you’re getting early access at a discounted rate while we refine the experience alongside you.
A complete brand identity including your logo, submark, color palette, art direction, and typography, all shaped through the strategy and creative direction you’ll create yourself. You’ll keep access to your Notion brand portal, where your work, notes, and references live, along with a set of module workbooks you can revisit anytime to refresh on brand terms, design principles, and process. You’ll also receive six months of access to our Circle community, where continued discussion, feedback, and connection live beyond the program. You’ll leave with a clear visual language, exports aligned to brand standards, and a deeper understanding of how to express your brand across different formats. This isn’t a web, marketing, or product design program. It’s a guided framework for building a cohesive, embodied brand identity that feels like you.
Absolutely. The Class is designed to sharpen your eye, strengthen your critique skills, and stretch your creative process. Many designers join for accountability, fresh perspective, and honest feedback that’s hard to find working solo.
The Beta round is $2,222. You can pay all at once or have your payment split in 2, and you can book a quick Decision Support call if you’d like to talk it through before joining.
That’s the point and the beauty of The Class. Vulnerability is part of the creative process, and we’ve built this community to make it feel safe, encouraging, and constructive. You’ll be met with care, clarity, and curiosity every step of the way.
Totally okay. Michelle went to graphic design school and they still didn’t teach the programs. Ellen’s entirely self-taught. The truth is, once you understand what you’re designing and why, the tutorials become a lot more focused and intuitive. That said, we’re not going to teach you how to use the programs themselves. You’ll want to give yourself extra space and time each week to get messy, click around, maybe watch a YouTube tutorial or 2, and learn by doing. The Class will guide your thinking, not your mastery of the programs.
(Your Brand)
Modules (8 weeks):
week 1
Foundations
Orientention, Summer Reading, Intentions
week 2-3
Strategy
create your brands north star
week 3-4
Creative Direction
bridging mind to visuals
week 5-7
Identity
bridging creative direction to form
week 8
Production
making it real