Cohort 1

Aspiring or new-ish Manager? Step into UX Mgmt with the vetted knowledge, skills and frameworks from an expert Design Leader. 

Alison Gretz

Head of Design, Leadership Coach & Trainer

Design Manager Foundations

Fallon

Target

Shutterfly

Thomson Reuters

Whether you are considering seeking your first Manager role, or are embarking on your first management role it's like stepping into a new world—one filled with opportunities, challenges, and the chance to make a real impact. But without a map, it's easy to feel lost. Designed specifically for first-time or aspiring managers, this course is your guide, and I can become your coach. In just two weeks and four one-hour sessions, we'll navigate together from the basics of transitioning into your new role to mastering the art of communication, leading high-performing teams, and creating systems that work uniquely for you. Each module is crafted to transform your approach to leadership, empowering you to lead with confidence, inspire your team, and drive innovative projects to success. You're not just learning to manage; you're learning to lead with vision, empathy, and effectiveness – which is great if you decide official Managing is not for you too. By the end of this course, you'll not only have the tools and insights to excel in your current role but also have assessed your readiness for Management, and a plan for your next steps. This isn't just about becoming a manager—it's about becoming the kind of leader who shapes the future of Design.

Join the missing training for aspiring & new Design Managers

New Managers in Design and Creative fields – UX, Content, User Research, UI, Design Systems, Creative.

Aspiring Managers seeking to step up into an official role within 12-18 months.

Managers in role, experiencing a sense of "is this right for me?" seeking a place to safely assess and plan next steps.

Who is this course for

What you’ll get out of this course

Find your new identity as you step up to a new context, even when leading former peers, or navigating complex change.

Assess Your Management Profile
 

Learn to delegate effectively, confidently balancing deep critique and empowering your team, while cultivating trust in their capabilities.

Inspire & Lead Through Others, vs Doing it Yourself

Discover how to design personalized systems and routines that elevate your management style, reduce stress, and enhance team productivity.

Wrangle the Calendar Overwhelm

Learn alongside and workshop with others in your shoes, who can become go-to peer support or mentors.

Meet a new Network of Peers who Get it

Provide a brief description for each module as a way to sell the value of what students will be learning throughout the course.

First Module

Second Module

Third Module

Course syllabus

students like you say

Meet your instructor

Our live sessions will focus on a single topic, collaboration with peers, and open Q&amp;A with Alison.

Tuesdays & Thursdays

Each Topic will be covered LIVE, and you have the freedom to go deep in your Course Workbook.

Beautifully Crafted Workbook

There will be two keystone projects that are immediately applicable to up-skilling as a manager, and carving a future path of more ease and expertise.

2 Projects Your Future-Self will Thank You for

Course schedule

This course builds on live workshops and hands-on projects

Active hands-on learning

You’ll be interacting with other learners through breakout rooms and project teams

Interactive and project-based

Join a community of like-minded people who want to learn and grow alongside you

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About this course

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