Lead with Confidence

Great design leaders don’t just manage—they inspire, strategize, and drive impact. In this four-session workshop, you’ll learn how to lead teams, advocate for design, and navigate organizational challenges.

Workshop Summary

NUMBER OF SESSIONS
4 Sessions
SESSION LENGTH
90 Minutes

Do you want to lead with clarity and confidence in your design career? Do you want to build and scale a high-performing design team that delivers business impact?

The Design Leadership Workshop will help you get there. In this structured four-session program, you’ll gain insights into the mindsets, skills, and frameworks that make great design leaders. Each session will include a mix of self-paced learning, real-world case studies, and hands-on leadership challenges before coming together in expert-led discussions with peers.

Have questions about the Workshop?

Who It’s For

MADE FOR DESIGN MANAGERS AND ASPIRING LEADERS

Whether you're a new design manager, a senior IC looking to step into leadership, or a seasoned leader refining your approach, this workshop will equip you with the tools to lead with confidence.

That said, this workshop is not for those just starting in design—it’s tailored for designers who are leading projects, teams, or influencing design at a strategic level.

If you’re unsure whether this workshop is right for you, contact our team.

Lead with Impact in Design

YOU WILL LEARN

1
How to transition from IC to leader: The mindset shifts and leadership skills that will help you move from executing to directing.
2
How to manage and grow design teams: Best practices for hiring, coaching, and creating an environment where designers thrive.
3
How to communicate design’s value to executives: Learn to advocate for design, present to leadership, and influence business strategy.
4
How to navigate challenges in design leadership: Gain strategies for managing conflicts, scaling design operations, and leading with resilience.

Learning Outside the (Virtual) Classroom

Deeply ingrained in our programs is the idea that learning happens best when facilitated by real human connection. That’s why we’ve focused on building opportunities for Designlab students to connect with peers, mentors, and others in our community.

Illustration of people connecting through screens

Connect, Collaborate & Discuss

At the center of our community is the Designlab Discord server. Here students, alumni, and mentors alike help each other get unstuck on coursework, give career advice, and provide design feedback.

But it’s not all business on Discord. It’s also a place where people discuss wellness practices, share book recommendations, find online video game partners, and talk about their favorite stationary (all real examples).

Image of Discord server highlights
Screenshot of Zoom group critique session

Learning, Live

Our courses feature live sessions (Group Crits, Peer Sessions, and more) so students can  present work, discuss feedback, and practice integrating the value of active critique into their design work. While the precise format varies by course or program, they all provide the chance for students to interact with peers in a facilitated session.

Real-World Insights: Expert-Led Events & Workshops

Being part of the Designlab community has its benefits. Students, alumni, and mentors receive lifetime access to our full slate of exclusive events and workshops. These online events cover a wide range of topics from navigating the job market to storytelling, user research, the latest design tools, and more.