Designation Reviews
Page 3
-
Katarina
With enough effort, this bootcamp will be one of the most rewarding experiences
Read more Read less of Katarina's review
I was a member of the Magenta cohort that graduated in November 2015. After graduating, I was hired by the program as a Designer-in-Residence.
I can wholeheartedly say that DESIGNATION changed my life. I enrolled in the program without having had any formal design training, yet with the guidance of the instructors, the comprehensive curriculum and many late nights of effort, I am now confident in my abilities as a digital designer.
Having been both a student and an employee of the program I was able to gain the student perspective but also a look behind the scenes.
As a student, DESIGNATION was one of the most challenging yet rewarding academic journeys I have been on. There is an incredible amount of information that will be thrown at you, and you will inevitably feel overwhelmed at points; however it will be a shared experience between you and your fellow cohort members who will become close friends that you can lean on.
DESIGNATION will provide the tools and guidance for success, however, success is not a given. It is the student's responsibility to be self-disciplined and to take advantage of the resources provided by the program.
The instructors are one of the key resources of the program. The instructors are knowledgeable and want to see you succeed. They are there to provide guidance and help you on your journey. That said, they are not there to hold your hand. You are expected to put in the required hours and effort.
An additional resource that is just as important as the instructors, if not more so, is your fellow cohort members. Fellow cohort members (as well as those in the senior or junior cohort) will teach you much more than you expect. Learning design is about practice and being open to critique. If you consistently ask your cohort members for feedback, you will accelerate your growth and learning.
Unlike other programs, DESIGNATION gives you the chance to work with actual clients (startups in Chicago and around the country) to gain real-world experience which in turn distinguishes the work of a DESIGNATION graduate from those of other bootcamps. You will learn how to navigate client relationships which is a critical skill to possess.
As part of the program you are paired with a mentor; a working design professional who can answer any questions you have regarding the working design world, the application and interview process, etc. Again, it's up to you to schedule the meetings with your mentor.
The career support is also another selling point of the program. There is a dedicated community director who provides portfolio development support while you are still a student and will assist you in making connections with companies once you are a graduate of the program. DESIGNATION does not guarantee a job upon graduation, but if you ask for assistance, they will do what they can to connect you with recruiters and companies. You will find that they won't always be able to help you in the case that they have no connection with the company but as time goes by, the stronger and more expansive the DESIGNATION network becomes.
As an employee of the program, I was able to see and contribute first-hand to the program itself. DESIGNATION practices what it preaches in that the curriculum is constantly being iterated upon based on student feedback. They make it a priority to figure out how to address frustrations that students have.
The program is not perfect - there will be moments of frustration, but you are actively encouraged to voice your concerns. The staff is genuinely invested in your success.
Overall, this program has the capacity to change the direction of your career. You will get out of it what you put in. It won't be easy, but you will have the support of a lot of people along the way. You will form friendships that will last a lifetime; you'll learn more over the course of the program than you ever thought possible and you will have a great of a time doing it.
-
Anonymous
If you put in the work and effort, its a fantastic program
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
I graduated from the program in April and just got my first job offer. So I can happily say that the program is legit and would reccomend it. I think there are a few things to know/consider to get the most out of the program:
- Know the basics of what UX is BEFOREHAND. Read as much as you can to get aquianted with terms and everything else UX so that you can hit the ground running.
- Be ready to work your ass off. When they say the program is intense, they mean it. When they say it's 70 hours a week, they mean it. When they say you really have to put in the effort on your portfolio (during the latter career phase), they mean it. Or you could be lazy and slack off throughout the program, but good luck with the job hunt afterwards.
- The instructors are awesome, and expose you to a wide variety of views, opinions, and styles. Realize that everything you learn is subjective, and you have to process or filter your feedback. Also, you will learn SO MUCH, but there is inifinitely more for you to still learn after. This field in general is best for lifelong learners.
- It's not perfect. There were definitely bumps in the road, but I think thats to be expected. The staff at DESIGNATION are all very friendly, genuinely interested in their mission, and adamanet about constantly asking for feedback and improving the program. This is key, IMO.
- The people you are exposed to and the network they help you to create is one of the biggest benefits in my opinion. Especially for a pretty big introvert like me, the opportunity to comfortably meet and talk with designers and other creatives and tech people from all over Chicago (and beyond) is amazing.
- The opportunity to work with two REAL clients is one of the key benefits of the program. Be as involved as possible during the client phase, because not only can this open up opportunities to you in the future, but being able to speak to real world client work during interviews is something graduates from similar programs cannnot say.
- Just competing the program isn't going to land you a job. This wasn't clear to me when I started, so I just want to try to be upfront about all of the work required to really be ready to search for jobs: resume, personal statement, portfolio site with 3-5 case studies. (THIS IS MORE WORK THAN YOU EXPECT). You begin work on this in the final 6 weeks, but its completely up to you how much you get done. It took me about a week and a half after the program to finish my portfolio, and I was the second one finished. So just remember, after the program, theres still plenty of work to do.
Overall, I really appreciate the program and the people, and where they've helped me get to today. Just know what you are getting in to, be ready to work your ass off, and go for it!
-
Anonymous
A Premiere Program
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
After graduating and moving back to San Francisco, one of my first design job interviews was with a hiring team that pulled my application from the applicant pool because they saw DESIGNATION on my resume. They had a great experience with another graduate and were eager to bring in someone with a similar skillset. That experience reminded me that I made the right decision to attend this bootcamp.
A few attributes set DESIGNATION apart from other design programs, in my mind:
- Intimate learning environment: DESIGNATION is small in all the right ways. While the staff have strong and deep ties to the design community and professional world, each cohort is comprised of maybe 20 students. You will get the help you need to reach your design goals. Instructors and classmates will learn your strengths and weaknesses. Everyone will help you improve by leaps and bounds.
- Startup workspace: The program occupies part of 1871, an incubator and co-working space. This means that, if you want, you can meet and talk with professionals from different fields who can offer you "outside" opinions and perspectives on design. I was even offered a few freelance opportunities while still in the program.
- Real client design projects: The last six weeks of the program are allotted to two design consulting projects with real businesses that want design work. This is an unreal opportunity to apply your newly-acquired design skills to the real world. These projects make for great portfolio pieces.
The reason I only give the program 4 out of 5 stars on job assistance is because they do not have established placement programs with companies who agree to interview new graduates (this is a practice that a few friends at development bootcamps have told me about). However, DESIGNATION does have a full-time staff member who focuses on professional development and a significant portion of the program is focused on getting you ready to find a design job. Again, the DESIGNATION community is strong and we have an internal job board where new roles and potential referals are posted everyday.
-
Anonymous
Great instructors, perfect location, and a massive network across the design community
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
The instructors are great, they come from many different backgrounds, and they really know what they're talking about. With experiences in UX/UI design, advertising, graphic design, front end development, entrepreneurship, logo design, and so on, I dont remember having a question that somebody in 1871 didn't have the answer to.
At DESIGNATION, you're doing something productive towards your future 11+ hours every single day and that really makes you remember the knowledge you are learning. I learned more about design and front end development in the first 2 weeks then I did the previous 2 years in college. Doing something for 70+ hours a week is going to quickly get you better at whatever that something is.
Lastly, the 'job-opportunities' message board is constantly being posted to by the instructors and alumni located worldwide. With how big the network is, it is very easy to find job openings that fit your criteria. My cohort has gotten job offers from Hawaii to Boston, and many places in between.
-
Anonymous
Total GAME CHANGER!
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
I would not be where I am now without DESIGNATION. Looking back I can't believe how much they were able to teach and mold me in such a short time. I'm not going to lie, it was hard. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. I feel like they take 1-2 years worth of content and experiences and cram it into 4 months. Our instructores really knew their stuff, they could be hard on you but in a way that pushed you to do better. I loved that it wasn't just theoretical content. I got to work with real clients and was able to leave with a portfolio of work and an understanding of how to work with other designers.
-
Anonymous
Amazing Experience
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
Great people, great vibes, great instruction. Other descriptors? Long hours, lots of coffee, tons of laughs. I learned the theory and technical skills, while making great friends along the way. For those looking for a career transition into the world of digital design, DESIGNATION allows the space to learn a whole new set of skills in a very short amount of time.
On the instructor side, most of the instructors don’t have to be teaching (and could probably be making more money designing instead). Yet you have these teachers that do it because they want to be there. (I've heard it's a different story for GA.) Whether it’s the nighttime instructors who work day jobs too or the day-time instructor Won who could definitely get any full-stack designer/developer job in Silicon Valley, the passion is palpable on all fronts.
-
Anonymous
Gives you skills and confidence
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
DESIGNATION is a complete experience that was overwhelming with all it had to offer. As a career switcher who had only 18 weeks to learn everything I could, I graduated recently wishing I had more time or preparation going in so I could absorb even more of the content. I chose to focus in UX but seeing the quality of the curriculum in UI and front-end development made me wish that I had the time to specialize and learn all I could in those areas as well.
I came away from this immersive experience feeling extremely confident in my new skills as a UX Designer but also confident that my experiences and the assistance here will help me find a job.
-
Anonymous
The Best Design Bootcamp
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
DESIGNATION is the most complete program from start to finish. The focus goes from learning the full stack of design to applying it on real world clients. I have spoken with many recruiters and they are by far the most impressed with candidates that come out of DESIGNATION's program. If you want to learn design, get real life experience, build a portfolio, and land a job, there is only one place I would go!
-
Anonymous
UX/UI Bootcamp
I highly recommend this program for anyone interested in learning about UX/UI. The instructors were especially knowledgable and helpful in the job searching process. The camaraderie of my cohort was incredible, and I have made long lasting friendships! It was an experience I will never forget. I would do it all over again!
-
Ayoub
An Awesome Experience
Read more Read less of Ayoub's review
If you are looking for a change in careers this bootcamp not only has the best curriculum, but they put into practice what they teach. With each cohort the curriculum is getting better and evolving. I was trying to learn design on my own but I needed to have structure and support from peers and instructors and that's what DESIGNATION provided me with. The entire curriculum is completely up to date and the programs that I learned to use were a mixture of industry standards along with popular, newer, programs that companies are starting to use such as Sketch and InVision.
The instructors/mentors are knowledgeable and know their field inside and out. You always have someone that is willing to critique your work, help you get better, and offer their advice.
It has been roughly two weeks since I graduated and I feel confident in my abilities to land a job in design. Instructors from the program have kept in touch with me post-graduation to make sure that I have everything I need to complete my portfolio, get a job, and have even send me job postings in my area.
-
Anonymous
Life and career changer
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
I left my job and career to take a huge chance and attend DESIGNATION. It turned out to be the best thing I could have done. Considering how all great the reviews are for the program I would probably be a little skeptical, but it's all true. You will come out of the bootcamp completely equipped for a UI, UX, or front end development job. Expect to put a ton of extremely hard work in, sacrifice your social life, and have some stressful days. After finishing up my portfolio I landed many interviews and had 3 job offers. All of the late nights are totally worth it. If you're on the fence about attending DESIGNATION, just do it.
-
Anonymous
UX / UI Designer
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
I enjoyed my experience at Designation, and would highly recommend it to others considering transitioning careers into design. Designation provides the resources, knowledge, and support to help you in your career transition into design. As part of the program, you become part of a broader community of 1) passionate, eager students, 2) instructors/staff that want their students to succeed, 3) start up clients and connections in the 1871 space (Chicago incubator and cowork space), 4) alumni across the nation in varying fields/industries/design roles. This community has upbeat, resourceful, encouraging, helpful, and engaging pre/during/post my time at Designation.
I believe this program stands out compared to masters programs and a self hack education because their curriculum is often updated to include the latest patterns, design tools, emerging technology, and trends going on in the tech / design field. They also provide collaborative, immersive exercises that allow you to apply new design and front end development skills. This program stands out compared to other bootcamp programs, because they teach you the end to end design process from research, UX, interaction, visual design to front end development.
What you put into it, is what you get out of it especially related to finding a job afterwards. There's alumni across different types of design positions and companies, so it is definitely possible and proven to land a design job. Designation won't babysit you put together your portfolio and practice your interviews. They'll be available if you reach out for help.
-
Taylor Kopf
Took a chance...
Read more Read less of Taylor Kopf's review
I left my job to enhance my career by attending DESIGNATION and it was the best decision I have ever made. Although it can be overwhelming and stressful, it was worth it in the end. I now have the job that I want and have grown tremendously. The instructors were patient and helpful to everyone at all levels – even post graduation. I would recommend DESIGNATION to anyone who wants to make a career transition.
-
Zoë Sinner
The best decision I made- I'd do it again in a heartbeat
Read more Read less of Zoë Sinner's review
I discovered Designation when I was looking for a career change. I had a background in marketing but found I didn't have all the skills or experience to get that new job I wanted. I really liked that Designation offered UX, UI, IxD and front-end development as I wasn't set on any particular path at first. (you'll choose a direction once you're there)
My experience was great and I would do it over again if I had to. I really suggest prepping yourself and learning all the fundamentals you can before starting because from day one it's intense. That's what I loved about Designation– you're with these great, motivated people, who each bring something different to the table everyday. The instructors are wonderful and truly care about you. Your time there will consist of lectures, assignments, projects, guest speakers, working individually & with groups and hopefully karaoke-ing after hours on Thursday nights. I definitely suggest giving the experience your 110% commitment because you get what you put in it. Designation will provide you with the tools and resources but it's up to you what you do with them. I was a part of one of the earlier cohorts and as every good designer should constantly iterate their designs...Designation constantly improves their curriculum. I think the biggest take-aways that I walked away with was the confidence in my new career direction and the network of new friends and colleagues I made. The design world is amazing & I love how passionate everyone is. -
Anonymous
Designing at Designation
Designation is a great way to get exposure to working both in interdisciplinary teams and with start ups. The 16 weeks helped solidify my understanding of user experience, enough to land a job immediately and get a couple offers in the coming months. Now, I'm working on live client projects at a great design firm, all thanks to my friends at Designation!
-
Anonymous
Perfect for Anyone Looking to Transition to UX/UI Design
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
I know there's at least a few of you out there that can relate to the start of my journey in transitioning to UX/UI design. I had been working in PR for several years and, while I invested a great deal of time in my work and enjoyed certain aspects of my job, my achievements never really felt meaningful.
I spent several months researching how others got started in UX/UI design, read countless design blogs, and even tried to teach myself a few of the tools. I also checked out several design courses, including DESIGNATION Labs and General Assembly. In the end, I realized the best way to learn the trade is to immerse yourself: get hands-on experience and guidance and surround youself with others that share the same passion and drive to be the best designers. I learned so much from the course instructors, client projects and working with other classmates who come from diverse work backgrounds. I left DESIGNATION with a killer portfolio and the skills and confidence I needed to land an awesome job as a UX designer.
If you're reading this review and are still nervous about making this big step, just take a deep breath, imagine the best outcome, and make it happen. If you put in the effort and hard work, you'll get to where you want be, any likely make some great friends along the way. :)
-
John Buckley
Life Changing Experience
Read more Read less of John Buckley's review
I uprooted from Ireland and travelled to Chicago to complete DESIGNATION - initially believing it would add some creditionals to my work as a SME business consultant, the ideas of Design Thinking and the holistic bootcamp environment drew me in.
While there I got totally swept up in the passion and enthusiasm amongst the team and students and found myself falling in love with UX. Armed with an extensive knowledge and great career direction I have returned to Ireland and landed a job with one of Europe's most resepected UX Design firms (who IXDA have also been awarded best in the world 2015) and I couldnt be happier. It was a great experience (both during and after).
-
Anonymous
Highly Recommended!
Incredible environmnet filled with people from all over the world that come from vastly different experiences. I learned more during the 12-week course than I did during 4 years of college.
-
Anonymous
Best career decision I've made
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
I was trying to teach myself design and development tools and technologies for a few months. I then came across DESIGNATION and decided to give it a chance. Best career decision I've made.
I was struggling with certain CSS concepts such as the box model and floats for weeks on my own. At DESIGNATION, the concepts were made clear to me in two days. The instructors taught best practices within the industry and presented us with great resources to design and develop websites/graphics/wireframes/prototypes well.
DESIGNATION gives real client experience, which is invaluable. I was able to present these projects at interviews, which led to job offers; more importantly, job offers that I wanted.
This is an intense and worthwhile experience.
-
Anonymous
I WOULD DO IT TWICE!
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
If you are thinking of enrolling in DESIGNATION, be prepared for the most intense couple months of your life. Actually, in hindsight and in the moment, I don't think you can be very prepared. It will be unlike anything you have ever or will ever experience. Your future fellow classmates, the teachers, the mentors, will all be lifelong connections. The topics taught and nurtured will impact your career in these fields without a doubt. Enrolling was truly the best decision I ever made. Also thanks to their internal instant messaging tool, I feel like I am still always connected to the DESIGNATION community, even after having graduated. Be prepared to grow your design network by more than 100 people (and keep it growing).
DESIGNATION gave me a career path. It helped me apply my previous knowledge and fine tune it in a way that works with the most lucrative career paths on the market. But if you don't have any previous relevant experience in UX/UI, you will still learn everything you need to know to make it in these fields, and then some. Also, their strategic partnership with 1871 and 1871's startups was an extremely smart move.
-
Anonymous
Learned more than I ever could have by teaching myself.
Really liked the way the curriculum was structured around full-stack design and then one particular focus area for each student. Great informal atmosphere and the instructors are very talented, but sometimes they are too busy to give full support creatively. Overall good experience.
-
Anonymous
Wonderful Program for Designers/Developers of All Experience Levels
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
I was frustrated with the my work as a graphic designer at an ad agency. Istarted doing some research into furthering my education with night classes or bootcamps when I stumbled upon DESIGNATION. I decided jumping all in to a full-time, total immersion program was a great idea. I joined the first full-time cohort (Amaranth) to enhance my skills in web and mobile development. I'm so happy that I did too.
DESIGNATION was an amazing experience. Being in a creative environment, surrounded by other creative people was very rewarding. We were able to work together to solve problems and help each other succeed. It was a safe space to try anything and see how far you could get. We were constantly encouraged to dream bigger, work harder and really push the boundaries. Between the instructors and the guest speakers, I was able to talk to, learn from and hang out with some extremely brilliant people.
-
Anonymous
Change Your Career and Life
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
Overall Experience: 5 stars
Instructors: 4 stars (Mine were great, but the other cohort's instructor was not very pleasant)
Flatiron Student Services: 0 stars
Projects: 5 stars
Facilities: 5 stars
Post-Graduation Support: 1 starSummary: Designation (now Flatiron) was a great experience and I’m so glad that I did the program. I was in a completely different field prior to the bootcamp, and with Designation I have a new career path and a new skill set. I also have more confidence about myself and excitement for what the future holds in UX/UI design. While some may think that 80+ hours a week for three month would be a terrible and overwhelming experience, I loved it and I didn’t mind staying on campus from 9 am to 10 pm. The client projects were challenging but a lot of fun, and I improved so much in the short amount of time I was a part of this program. I really liked my instructors and the DIRs (TAs), and I loved the other students in my cohort (my class) who are now lifelong friends.
That being said, I think that every cohort has its own unique experience depending on your instructor and cohort-mates. I was in a very small cohort size and had a great lead instructor (and amazing DIRs). The cohorts before and after me weren't as lucky, and I'm so glad I didn't have to deal with their instructor or cohort drama.
Program Phases: Designation has 5 phases (mini semesters) in the 6 month program. Half of it is virtual and helps prepare you for the in-person part of the program.
- Design Essentials: A part time phase where you learn the basics of UX and UI and do a practice project. I did this section while working a full time job, and it was a LOT more work than I was expecting.
- Virtual Phase: A full time phase where you focus on either UX or UI and do a more in-depth project. You meet with the class virtually to discuss the topics and present your work. The virtual classes and meetings weren’t always enjoyable, but the reality of today’s design world is that you’ll be having a lot of conference calls and meetings, so it’s good practice! You should not be working a full time job while doing this phase. I wasn’t working at this point and I felt overwhelmed at times by the workload.
- Immersion Phase: When you’re in Chicago you’ll have two real client projects. In the immersion phase you and your team will get a lot more support from the instructors and DIRs to help you out with your client project. You’ll be presenting your work once a week, which is great practice but a lot of stress.
- Client Phase: Immersion and Client Phase are almost identical, but your team will have more independence in the Client Phase and less time to finish the project. I do wish we had received more supervision in the client phase, since we were still learning.
- Career Phase: In the last few weeks in Chicago you’ll wrap up the program by getting ready for the job hunt! You’ll make your portfolio, write your case studies, update your resume, take some studio tours, and learn about applying for UX/UI design jobs. The instructor was very hands off at this point, and we worked on our own (and submitted our work for feedback on occasion). I would have liked more instructor support and involvement with this phase, which is potentially the most important part of the program. I really felt like we were on our own at times, which is a stressful feeling when you’re about to graduate and look for a job. We also spent SO much time working on ONE case study for our portfolio, and we were told to write a lot of detailed information. I practically wrote a novel, but when I showed it to people after Designation the consensus was the same: it was way too much information! Nobody is going to read your full case study, and they will want to see a lot of visuals. Designation should really focus on having students write two or three condensed case studies and not one really long, detailed case study.
I honestly don’t know how General Assembly can get away with such a short program. When I look back at my work in the final months compared to the first couple of months I see a HUGE difference in abilities and knowledge. I’m glad I did a 6-month program and that I was able to learn so much and grow a lot, and I’m so glad we had real client projects.
Workload: They say this a lot and it’s true: you get out of it what you put into it. I worked so hard in this program, and I have seen the positive rewards as a result. The workload is a lot, but it’s up to you how much you do and when you do it. You can put 90 hours into this program, or you can put 60 hours into it. I rarely took weekends off, and I was usually on campus from 9 am to 9/10 pm on weekdays. I worked 80 hours a week or so. As a result, I did a LOT of work and I also managed my time well. Time management is key and paramount to getting by. I didn’t break down crying or pull all nighters like some of the other folks in my cohort, who didn’t work as hard throughout the week or had poor time management skills.
The Cons:
- Post-Graduation Support: I’m going to be honest: I was expecting a LOT more support from this program after graduating and I’m disappointed by what we received (which feels like nothing). That being said, what you get from Designation for job support is more than a lot of other bootcamps out there. I felt like I graduated and then I was completely on my own. There were no post-graduation check ins, and they didn’t even send out a feedback survey so I couldn’t voice my opinions of the program. Where's the alumni support? Career services? We were paired with career coaches who have never worked with UX/UI designers, and a number of people in my cohort were unhappy with the help we received from them (I honestly just gave up working with mine when I realized she wasn’t going to offer any real help or advice). The job hunt has been a long and difficult struggle, and I don't feel like Flatiron gave me much (if any) support once I left the program. It will probably take you half a year to find a job after graduation, at least!
- Flatiron Student Services: The Flatiron Students Services office is useless if you need help or questions answered, so any issue I had would be ignored or would go unresolved. I understand that Designation is going through a big transition with the Flatiron merger, but the students shouldn’t have to suffer or be neglected as a result.
- Chicago-Focused: I think the biggest issue with Designation is that non-Chicago students have a serious disadvantage when looking for jobs in cities outside of Chicago. Designation’s connections and partners are predominantly Chicago-based, and most of the job opportunities and events that are discussed on Slack are in the Chicago area. I do wish Designation worked harder with the Flatiron Schools in other cities to make sure that its graduates can utilize the connections and resources of those schools.
Conclusion: Designation is definitely one of the best options out there for a UX/UI bootcamp and gives you a solid foundation for a career change. How can you switch careers and learn a whole new skill set in 2 months at General Assembly? While it may be longer than some other bootcamps out there and maybe a little more expensive, it’s worth it. I graduated and felt like a UX/UI Designer, and not just a student.
-
Anonymous
Not Enough Hard Skills, Too much Focus on Personality and Culture Fit, Certain learning styles not welcomed
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
Hi All! While I have read positive reviews of this program and enjoyed the virtual phases, I had quite a different experience. It was not a positive experience for me due to the lack of skill learning and the lead instructor I had, her attitude and inflexibility ruined the program for many of us.
I really wanted to be a UX Designer! I enjoyed the Virtual Phases and was excited for the in person phase until I was immediately singled out by the lead instructor simply for coming in and out of the building. I am a student and like to work out during the day. I also like to work, free of distractions, in a quiet place when I am not engaged in group work. I am literally paying to take a class and I see no issue with needing some quiet space to complete assignments - people have different learning styles. My inability to focus, which I made clear straight off, was used against me by the Lead Instructor.
The instructor violated the students' learning space by keeping to the minute tabs on their comings and going, going as far as to criticize certain students ways of speaking and engaging, all while ignoring fellow students who didn't even come to class or lectures. The instructor encouraged an atmosphere where students were afraid to participate, using threats against students to "discipline" them (This is an adult class). This is a class about technology which should remain innovative. Students wanting flexibility and freedom, wanting to innovate on ideas, are not bad people or students and do not deserve to be watched and singled out! That is NOT conclusive to a positive, trusting learning environment!
She really created a negative experience and environment at flat iron where I felt scared to engage or participate. People like this should not be instructors and Designation should do something to weed these people out and ensure that only great, empathetic, flexible teachers are employed in the future!
It also did not seem like we learned a lot of hard skills, as presentation making and soft skills were primarily focused on. If you are looking for a more tech-focused design program, please look elsewhere. The lead instructor did not appear to understand some basic technologies utilized in the industry, so I felt like I lost out a lot on this type of instruction.
I know that this program is now part of flat iron, maybe the transition had something to do with it? Either way, my cohort suffered. I cannot speak for the other cohorts, however. -
Anonymous
Buyer Beware
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
I found this bootcamp to be a complete facade. First they hold the courses in a rented out area of what is more of less a cafeteria. I also found after doing some research that many of the instructors have never even worked in the area of design or user experience. In face one was a tax consultant and another a writer. I am not kidding. I am not sure who is doing the other reviews but I am sure it is not legit.
-
Anonymous
Look elsewhere
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
They say they screen applicants but they don't. You WILL work with people who shouldn't be in the program. Those people will be dead weight dragging down your experience (and your portfolio). Taking that into consideration and coupled wtih a lack of job placement, and incredibly short deadlines which negatively affect your ability to produce great work. I'd save the money and try another experience.
-
Anonymous
There Are Downsides...
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
I wanted to write a review to even out some of the glowing reviews on here. Please remember that it is better for alumni to have the school look great and feel like they made the right decision. In my opinion, it is not worth the money. The program is run by somewhat overconfident men promising too much. The main instructor denied the existence of sexism in tech. Some of them have less design experience than students going into the program. They also have minimal to no experience teaching, and the quality of instruction was very poor. The program also lacks integrity the way academic institutions do. You could plagiarize or do no work and still graduate. This is a for-profit institution so it has no accountability in terms of credentials and has no government regulation the way universities do… Here’s an article that might be helpful in thinking about these types of programs in general: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2016-12-06/want-a-job-in-silicon-valley-keep-away-from-coding-schools Is it all bad? No! I definitely learned some things and it helped me get to where I am. I also understand the appeal of the fast and furious path to a better career, but it can be a false promise. If I were to go back in time, I would spend my money on courses at a real accredited institution, whether or not than involves going all the way to an official degree. You could easily take 4-5 courses, spend less money and probably have a better background. You'd also be closer to a grad degree if you decide you need one. -
Anonymous
Personal and Professional Life Change
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
Before DESIGNATION
I was debating between General Assembly and DESIGNATION. I was very apprehensive about whether I was prepared to do either bootcamp because I didn't have any formal design background. However Designation does a great job in preparing you for the in person bootcamp. I completed a 4 week preparation course to get more practice using Illustrator, Photoshop, and Sketch. An instructor revivewed each work and gave comprehensive feedback. After the 4 week course I was accepted in the 6 week virtual course and designed a mobile app. I met with my classmates and instructor each week to review our work. This was incredibly helpful in receiving and giving constructive criticism. I interviewed for General Assembly and only had one interview and was acceppted in the program. Looking back now, I couldn't have imagined being as confident as I am with my skills without the preparation DESIGNATION provided me.
At DESIGNATION
At Designation I learned how to conduct user research, brainstorm solutioins, prototype, test solutions, and visually design solutions. I worked with 3 UX teams and with real clients to help them solve their business challenges. I can proudly say I formed long lasting friendships because of the camraderie and bonds you form with your classmates. Our clients were really happy and proud of our work. The constraints and deadlines you encounter will challenge you and your team to make difficult decisions. All of my experiences helped me become a better designer and communicator. I learned how to defend my design decisions and not be married to them either. Everyone supports each other and is always willing to help. We all came from different background but it was very inspiring to be consistenly surrounded by motivated individuals. You have a lot of fun in a beautiful city.
After DESIGNATION
You receive a lot of guidance and advice on your resume and case studies. However, you really have to put in the work and discipilne of reseraching good/bad portfolios, telling a story, asking your network for feedback, and practicing design challenges. Speaking about my experiences at DESIGNATION through my portfolio and interviews helped me land a job as a UX designer. I'm really proud to be an alumni and to be part of a growing network.
-
Anonymous
Great experience
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
DESIGNATION was a great experience that is a good choice for those looking to get into the field. They are starting to get more exclusive with admissions, which bodes well for its reputation. They put a great deal of emphasis on the virtual phase, so no time is wasted in the live phase. They have stopped offering coding instruction, so beware of that if that is one of your interests. DESIGNATION is very much what you put into it. Take advantage of the resources and especially the people and network.
-
Anonymous
An excellent, very intense program that is absolutely worth it.
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
DESIGNATION is a very big commitment for anyone considering joining. Being without an income for four months is stressful, but the cost of the program is fair, and if you are serious about changing or advancing your career it is totally worth it.
The program is broken into three phases. During the Virtual Phase you work remotely. I was able to maintain a job during this part of the program. Most people don’t necessarily recommend having a job during this time, but I would actually recommend working at least part time because it allowed me to be used to the long days that you’ll be putting in during the Immersion and Client Phases of the program.
Overall the course work brings you through the entirety of the UX and UI process, so you’ll get experience with everything. You move very quickly so you may find times where you would have liked to focus on something a bit longer (for me it was the UX research and interviewing), but you have unstructured time at the end of each day that you can carve out for that on your own.
When you move from a project that requires you to perform every step (the Immersion Phase) to working with actual clients (the Client Phase), the program really excels in giving you the opportunity to determine what is appropriate for multiple individual projects, something that other programs are lacking. I came from working in an agency environment, so I am confident that that skill is something employers are really looking for.
The instructors are extremely helpful in a way that really sets the program apart from traditional academic environments. They are friendly, approachable, and make an effort to be available to students.
I understand that everyone works differently, but one thing I would have liked would have been more focus on establishing an efficient workflow, even if it was just a template that I can build from on my own.
Overall, I would highly recommend DESIGNATION to anyone who is seriously considering entering the industry. You get what you put in, and you’re surrounded by great people that are trying to do the same.
-
Anonymous
Super rewarding when you put in the work!
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
The key to success at the program is that you get what you put into it. I was so lucky that my fellow students were all hardworking and we pushed each other to improve at a crazy fast pace, because other cohorts before/after us didn't seem to have made as much progress or done as well after the program as we did.
In terms of job support, it really works the same way the program does – you get what you put into it. The resources are all there, and the program did a great job with introducing us to the design community, especially when we did studio tours of various companies around Chicago. The Community Director is really wonderful and definitely made me feel very prepared. I'm really happy with where I am now and am so, so grateful to have been able to make such a big change to my career in a short amount of time.
TLDR - the program gives you all the resources you need to succeed, but it comes down to the work you put into it
-
Anonymous
Great experience, great support.
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
I recently graduated from the Ruby Cohort. Really great experience. DESIGNATION offers a wealth of suport from industry professionals who are more than willing to take their time to give lectures and one-on-one advice. The pace is fast and intense, but if you put the time in and embrace the experience it will prepare you for an exciting new career. The staff do a great job getting you ready for the real-world and really stress the soft skills of how to talk about yourself as a designer, your work, and your experince. The one thing DESIGNATION offers that none of the other bootcamps can compete with is the opportunity to work with two clients and design for real-life applications and products. If you're thinking about a UX/UI bootcamp, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DESIGNATION.
-
Anonymous
The process is tough but very worthwhile.
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
DESIGNATION was a really amazing experience for me. There are so many resources, instructors, and mentors to tap into and guide you throughtout the learning process. It's fast paced, but really rewarding. I feel very secure in my skillset, and although I know it's only the beginning of my career, DESIGNATION has provided me with a firm foundation upon which I can confidently build upon.
People that didn't have such a great experience in my cohort seemed to expect DESIGNATION to do the work for them. Don't come here expecting to be spoon-fed UX/UI skills. Come here expecting to do work.
That said, you're most definitely not alone - your fellow students, instructors and mentors provide such good assistance, guidance, and teaching. As you're doing the work, you're learning and growing. By the end of the process, you'll have learned and grown so much.
-
Anonymous
UX/UI Designer
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
DESIGNATION is one of the best decisions I have made for my career. What set this program apart from other available options was their focus on students gaining real experience working with clients, collaborating with team members, and creating projects within a fast, iterative timeline. They definitely delivered.
Even after having graduated the program I find that it keeps adding value as I continue my career as a designer. They have built an amazing active community for both students and alumni. It is a great resource for news, mentorship, advice, job opportunities, etc.
The program itself is iterative and constantly changing based on feedback from students. These changes are driven by a team who is passionate about what they do and who work hard to deliver an engaging experience as well as results for its students.
-
Anonymous
Great Experience
Read more Read less of Anonymous's review
I graduated from the Obsidian Cohort in March 2016 and got a job offer about a month after. I spend a great deal of time looking at other bootcamp programs before finally deciding to attend DESIGNATION. I even left New York to spend a very cold winter in Chicago - that's how great the curriculum is. Unlike other programs, DESIGNATION is a full-stack program; which means that you'll learn UX, visual design, AND front-end dev. This is crucial in today's job market, as companies are looking for designers who have multiple skills.
Not only is the curriculum great, I love the people I met during the program. It's great to be surrounded by people with similar goals and interests. As some of the other reviews have mentioned, yes the hours are long and at times you will be stressed out but it's definitely worth it!