UX/UI Design Education
Building mobile app design skills through real projects and practical mentorship
How We Built Our Program
We started teaching design back in early 2022 because we kept meeting talented people who knew theory but struggled with real client work. The gap between tutorials and actual projects was massive.
Our first cohort had eight students. We threw them into ongoing client projects immediately—probably too fast, honestly. But they learned what actually mattered. Not just button styles or color theory, but how to handle feedback, manage revisions, and deliver on time.
By 2024, we'd refined the approach. Students now work alongside our design team on real apps launching in Korean and international markets. They see the whole process—from messy first briefs to App Store submissions.
First Cohort Launch
Started with 8 students, direct client project immersion
Curriculum Restructure
Added structured mentorship after feedback showed students needed more guidance
Industry Partnerships
Connected with Busan tech companies for student project opportunities
Next Program Start
Fall cohort opens with expanded mobile-first curriculum
Real Projects Students Work On
These aren't practice exercises. Students contribute to actual apps used by real people.
Healthcare Booking App
Students redesigned the appointment flow after user testing showed 40% drop-off. They analyzed session recordings, interviewed users, and tested three different approaches.
E-commerce Navigation
A retail client needed their category structure simplified. Students mapped the existing information architecture, conducted card sorting exercises with users, and prototyped the new structure.
Fitness Tracking Interface
Working with a startup, students designed the workout logging experience. They ran usability tests with gym members and iterated based on actual usage patterns during beta testing.
What We've Learned Teaching Design
Three years of running this program taught us plenty about what works and what doesn't.
Theory Gets You 30% of the Way
Students come in knowing design principles from online courses. Grid systems, color theory, typography rules—they've watched the videos. But applying that to a client who can't articulate what they want? That's different.
We spend less time on principles now and more on practical application. How do you present three concepts to a client? What do you do when stakeholders disagree? How do you push back on bad feedback professionally?
- Client communication workshops based on real scenarios
- Revision management—knowing what to change and what to defend
- Presenting work to non-designers without sounding condescending
Tools Matter Less Than Process
Everyone wants to learn Figma shortcuts. Fair enough—efficiency matters. But we've watched students create beautiful mockups that completely miss user needs because they skipped research.
Now we enforce a process. You can't start designing until you've talked to users. You can't present to clients until you've tested with at least five people. The tools are just tools.
- Research templates that students must complete first
- Testing requirements before moving to high-fidelity designs
- Documentation standards for handoff to developers
Mobile-First Isn't Optional Anymore
In South Korea, mobile usage dominates. We adjusted the curriculum in 2024 to reflect this. Students now design for mobile first, then adapt for larger screens—not the other way around.
This shift changed everything. Students think about thumb zones, one-handed use, and screen size constraints from day one. Their designs work better because they're solving for the primary use case first.
- Touch target sizing and spacing for real-world use
- Navigation patterns that work on small screens
- Performance considerations for mobile networks
Who Teaches This Program
We're not academics. We're designers who work on client projects every day and teach on the side.
Seo-Yun Baek
Lead Design Instructor
Spent six years at a Seoul agency before moving to Busan in 2021. Teaches the research and testing modules because that's what students struggle with most.
Ji-Woo Chae
Mobile UX Specialist
Worked on fintech apps before joining our team. Handles the mobile-specific curriculum and helps students understand platform conventions for iOS and Android.