UMO Design Grads

The Curriculum:

Designed to Launch Careers

A 9-month immersive journey into real-world design.

At UMO Design Grads, we don’t just teach design — we prepare you to live it. Structured like a working design studio, our program mirrors the pace, expectations, and collaboration of the corporate world. You’ll work on real projects, solve actual problems, and develop a startup-worthy capstone — all while being mentored by industry experts.

CURRICULUM

At a Glance

Month 1–3:

Foundations of Design

  • Design Thinking & Research
  • Principles of Visual & Interaction Design
  • UI/UX Basics & Accessibility
  • Tools of the Trade (Figma, Adobe Suite, Notion, etc.)

Month 4–6:

Practice & Application Design

  • Systems & Prototyping
  • Service Design & Systems
  • Thinking Branding &
  • Storytelling for Product
  • Weekly Mentorship + Live Project Simulations

Month 7–9:

Capstone + Studio Immersion

  • Work in a collaborative studio setup
  • Real-time exposure to the corporate world
  • Capstone Project: Design and develop a real product
  • Pitch to mentors, investors, and startup accelerators

9-Month Curriculum

Breakdown

Phase 1: Foundations (Months 1-3)

Month 1

UX/UI Fundamentals & Design Thinking Immersion

Core Focus:

Introduction to UX/UI principles, user research, information architecture, wireframing, prototyping, and the design thinking process.

Weekend Classes:

  • Introduction to UX/UI design principles and methodologies.
  • User research methodologies (interviews, surveys, usability testing).
  • Design thinking framework and application.
  • Introduction to design tools (Figma, Adobe XD).


Design Studio Projects:

  • Conduct user research and create user personas for a real-world problem.
  • Develop wireframes and prototypes for a mobile app or website.

Month 2

Visual Design & Interaction Design

Core Focus:

Visual design principles, UI design, interaction design, micro-interactions, and accessibility.

Weekend Classes:

  • Visual design principles (typography, color theory, layout).
  • UI design patterns and best practices.
  • Interaction design principles and techniques.
  • Micro-interactions and animation.


Design Studio Projects:

  • Develop high-fidelity UI designs for the project started in Month 1.
  • Create interactive prototypes with micro-interactions.

Month 2

Introduction to Technology & Development

Core Focus:

Basics of web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), mobile app development (React Native or Flutter), and understanding technology’s role in design.

Weekend Classes:

  • Introduction to front-end development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
  • Introduction to mobile app development frameworks.
  • Understanding APIs and data integration.
  • Introduction to relevant AI tools.


Design Studio Projects:

  • Create a basic web page or mobile app prototype.
  • Explore how technology can enhance user experience.

Phase 2: Disruptive Thinking & Entrepreneurship (Months 4-6)

Month 4

Disruptive Innovation & Market Analysis

Core Focus:

Principles of disruptive innovation, market research, competitive analysis, and identifying opportunities.

Weekend Classes:

  • Disruptive innovation frameworks (e.g., Christensen’s theory).
  • Market research and analysis techniques.
  • Competitive analysis and differentiation strategies.
  • Identifying emerging market trends.


Design Studio Projects:

  • Identify a potential disruptive innovation opportunity.
  • Conduct market research and competitive analysis.

Month 5

Business Modelling & Lean Startup

Core Focus:

Business model canvas, lean startup methodology, product-market fit, and customer validation.

Weekend Classes:

  • Business model canvas and value proposition design.
  • Lean startup methodology and minimum viable product (MVP).
  • Customer validation and feedback loops.
  • Metrics and analytics for startups.


Design Studio Projects:

  • Develop a business model canvas for a startup idea.
  • Create an MVP and conduct customer validation.

Month 6

Entrepreneurial Finance & Pitching

Core Focus:

Financial planning, budgeting, fundraising, and effective pitching.

Weekend Classes:

  • Startup finance and budgeting.
  • Fundraising strategies and investor relations.
  • Effective pitching and storytelling.
  • Legal and regulatory aspects of startups.


Design Studio Projects:

  • Create a financial model and pitch deck for a startup idea.
  • Practice pitching to a panel of mock investors.

Phase 3: Capstone & Industry Immersion (Months 7-9)

Month 7-9

Disruptive Innovation & Market Analysis

Core Focus:

Development of a real-world startup project, incorporating all learned skills, and industry mentorship.

Weekend Classes:

  • Students form teams and develop their own startup ideas.
  • Teams work on all aspects of the startup, from product development to marketing and fundraising.
  • Industry mentors provide guidance and feedback.

Phase 4: Project Development, Traction & Funding (Months 10-12)

Month 10-12

Startup Launch & Growth

Core Focus:

Transitioning the capstone project into a viable startup, focusing on technical development, market traction, and securing funding.

Activities:

  • Full-stack development of the startup project.
  • Implementation of marketing strategies for user acquisition and growth.
  • Investor outreach and fundraising efforts (seed funding, etc.).
  • Legal and business incorporation guidance.
  • Ongoing mentorship and support from industry experts.
  • Demo days and investor presentations.