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Everything is designed—either for better or worse. If you don’t take a hand in it, someone else will make the decisions, and we will all live with the outcomes.

Focus on what matters

We believe in cultivating creative problem-solvers who are equipped to make thoughtful decisions in an increasingly complex world. Most programs teach you React on day one and call it job training. We teach you how to think.

Design for The Web (DFTW) is 9 months of hands-on workshops that go beyond surface-level skills. You'll learn exactly what you need – in the right order. Fundamentals before abstractions. Understanding users before building interfaces. Grasping the "why" before rushing to the "how." Through collaborative projects, you'll develop full-stack development skills alongside UX principles, visual design, and client communication as one connected system.

With guidance from experienced coaches, you'll build the frameworks and mindsets to tackle real-world challenges with confidence. No filler. No teaching you our favorite tool. Just the deep understanding that empowers you to create work that's as functional as it is meaningful – and adapt to any team or challenge.

  1. How our brains work

    “Programming is hard!” Or so we sometimes think… but it’s modeled after our simple thought processes. You already think like a computer – and that’s really helpful to understand early on.

  2. Work life balance

    It doesn’t matter if you are the best programmer in the world if you burn out. To maintain a sustainable work-life balance and be an effective designer, you’ll need to manage your schedule and build healthy habits.

  3. How computers work

    Although this isn’t a Computer Science class, you’ll need a clear sense of how computers work – because they are the internet – and our primary tool.

  4. User experience

    You don’t need to go to UX school to learn User Experience. You are a user! Learn how to think about your experience through some new lenses.

  5. AI as a learning tool

    Everyone’s using ChatGPT and Copilot now, right? Sure. But if you use AI to skip the struggle, you’ll never build the mental models you need. Learn when AI accelerates your growth – and when it stunts it.

  6. Operating systems and interfaces

    Interact with the computer through the command line, Graphical User Interfaces, browsers, and learn about the OS and file system. (Someone designed that too 😉

  7. Usability

    Test out ideas and prototypes with real users. Learn to spot common pitfalls and build interfaces that are enjoyable and intuitive based on real-world evidence.

  8. Effectively leverage your computer

    You’ve probably used a computer for a long time already – and you might think you’re an expert. Learn to optimize your workflows and save your time for what matters most.

  9. Goal-driven development

    It’s impossible to tell if a design is successful without a goal. Learn to leave the ego out of the process and guide yourself and the team with clear goal-driven decision-making.

  10. Teamwork tools

    Learn tools like Google Drive to stay organized and collaborate on ideas in real-time. No more emailing zip files and chasing down outdated PDF’s. Save your time for what matters.

  11. Research and strategy

    Just the right amount of research – can save you hundreds of hours or even millions of dollars. Fight the urge to start building and learn how to set the stage for successful projects.

  12. Content hierarchy

    Organize content and craft clear messages and stories. Learn how the browsers use this information for cataloging and how visual design plays its role.

  13. How The Web works

    It’s taken for granted. “The Internet,” right? You use it. But – how clearly understanding what is happening will open up that black box and save you from years of blurry mental models.

  14. Hypertext Markup Language

    It’s HTML! The primary tool for building web pages. Learn the what and how and why by revisiting its history. Build your first websites like it’s 1999!

  15. Expressive and accessible markup

    HTML has gone through many changes. It’s the best it’s ever been – and you can write wonderful markup to appease the computers and ensure everyone access to your site’s content.

  16. Typography for a fluid context

    Explore typography for print and how word processing and visual design programs describe text. Tell your story with class, and confront a world with no fixed paper size.

  17. Cascading Style Sheets

    Uncover the secret styles your browser is giving your HTML page. Learn the magic of the Cascade and how to bring your sites to life with CSS.

  18. SEO and how sites are crawled

    Dig into how your HTML is read by browsers and search engines. Learn how to write optimized pages from the start – instead of hiring an “SEO” person to come in and fix it later.

  19. Rich metadata for sharing

    You know those images and links and titles that show up when you share a site on social media or even in a text message? Take full advantage of rich sharing assets to stand out above the rest.

  20. Responsive layout techniques

    CSS was never meant for layout. It’s a hot-bed of frustration – but that time is over! We now have new tools like flexbox and grid that allow us supreme control over the fluid world of the web browser.

  21. User testing

    Get out there and test those prototypes. There’s no need to “guess” if it’s working. The users will tell you if you ask. Make it a core part of your design process even if you just ask your mom.

  22. Documenting your process

    Being able to talk about your thought process, goals, and the evidence that helped you make decisions is more than any given programming language. It’s also what will get you hired.

  23. Project management and leadership

    Get acquainted with tools like Trello and set up timelines to mark progress. Learn how to manage people and their expectations – while supporting your team instead of hounding them.

  24. Version control and staging

    Use Git to manage your code and work on collaborative teams. Learn how to ‘stage’ websites and build things locally and ship to the live site after sign-off.

  25. Server-side scripting

    Learn the basics of programming with PHP. This common language will directly relate to other Object Oriented languages and to JavaScript as well. Learn how server-side rendering works and explore component architecture.

  26. Understanding tech stacks

    Check back in with HTTPS and learn how the most common server software generates and delivers your website to the end-user. The less ‘stuff’ the better!

  27. Dynamic data and databases

    At some point, you’ll grow out of the core HTML features – and you’ll want to take the next step. Learn how user-generated data-driven sites work – and how pages are built from data in a database.

  28. Personal websites

    Apply workshop insights to your projects or apps. Understand DNS, domain names, and hosting. Enhance your portfolio with our daily challenges.

  29. Building authority with a blog

    Build your own custom theme with the world’s most popular CMS. Learn all about CRUD and how to build out complex Content Management Systems for your clients.

  30. Libraries and frameworks

    A ‘library’ is just a collection of pre-written code you can use. A framework is a set of conventions and structures. Cut through the hype and learn how to choose your tools with confidence.

  31. Finding your role on the team

    We don’t think everyone should be striving to be a “full-stack” developer. It’s not that black and white. We’re here to help you find your passion and where you can provide the most value.

  32. Content management systems

    You may have heard of ‘front-end’ and ‘back-end,’ but what about the front of the back-end? Learn about building the interface that non-programmers will use to fill out site content.

  33. Visual design concepts

    We have major respect for great visual design, but it isn’t magic. It takes practice like everything else. We’ll give you the tricks to keep it fun and effective.

  34. Navigating group critiques

    It takes empathy and respect to communicate with your team members. Staying on track and focusing on the goal can help guide you through messy feelings and personal styles. Evidence is queen.

  35. Page speed and performance

    Keep your sites lean and mean by understanding the bottlenecks and how pages are delivered and rendered. Learn to weigh the cost of common and unfortunate design decisions.

  36. Client-side scripting and rendering

    Yes, yes, yes. JavaScript. We’ll be learning and using lots of JavaScript. You’ll learn how to learn from the official documentation. At a real job, no one is going to give you directions.

  37. User interface and animation

    Create fun and interactive experiences. Although we believe that content comes first, there’s no reason why it can’t also make you say “Whoa! that’s so cool!”

  38. Integrating AI and LLMs

    We’ll demystify “AI” and explore practical LLM integration. Learn APIs, RAG systems, embeddings, vector databases, and prompt engineering to build features that enhance – not replace – human interaction.

Above is the human-readable overview of the topics and concepts. For a detailed week-by-week breakdown of the technical content in our curricula, refer to the DFTW syllabi. Let us know if you have any questions.

What we will not learn

We have opinions. We've also got opinions about having too many opinions. It's tricky. As you mature as a person, and as a designer, you go through many stages. Some of these are imperative for your growth, but some of them are just yucky and are better avoided. We will ensure you how to stay focused and choose what tools work for you.

  1. How to be a Ninja

    We won’t be teaching you how to be a ‘rock-star’ or a ‘Ninja.’ While ninjas historically excelled in stealth, and rock stars are known for their musical talents, our emphasis is on the art of designing things.

  2. Brogramming

    As fun as programming is, it’s just a tool – and the outcome is what we’re excited about. You can’t “win” programming. We won’t be creating a culture for ‘bros’ – unless you’re talking about Mario.

  3. Bad habits

    No bad habits allowed. Your team will cross-reference everything – and together, we’ll decide what that means. We’ll be fighting the urge to connect to random rituals and OCD feelings.

  4. Vibe/Dopamine-driven development

    Chasing the high of the latest framework or AI tool, or rebuilding your portfolio every weekend, might feel productive – but it’s a trap. Real knowledge lets you evaluate what’s worth your time and what’s just noise.

  5. Android and iOS

    We prefer Progressive Web Applications over proprietary tools where possible, and it wouldn’t make sense to teach Java and Swift in the same course. But everything we learn will directly apply to those things as well.

  6. CSS frameworks

    We will be going super in-depth with CSS and during that time you’ll create your own CSS ‘framework.’ We’ll explain the design decisions behind Bootstrap and Tailwind – and then you’ll be able to decide for yourself.

  7. Bitcoin and blockchain

    Bitcoin and blockchain are intriguing areas, though not a focus of ours. However, it’s your journey, and we’re here to support your exploration into these fields if you choose.

  8. Artificial intelligence

    During the program, we’ll certainly be talking about the impact of AI and how to leverage all the new tools in your workflow. You can build your own world-destroying robots after if you really want to.

  9. Enterprise level applications

    Online classes and tutorials make it seem like one person can build out their ultra-complex web application all by themselves. You can’t. No one goes to school to learn to build “Buildings” all by themselves, right?

  10. Paid advertising

    There are plenty of ways to market things and cross-promote. We’ll teach some of that – but these ugly ads tracking us around the internet have got to go. We’re not going to be adding to the trash heap.

  11. Computer Science

    We work hard to keep everything universal and connected to the core concepts, but if you want to learn Computer Science, you’ll need to take some additional steps. We can help you – when it’s time.

  12. Classic video game development

    As cool as this is, we’re not going to be doing anything like this in the core curriculum. We will have lots of game-like interaction opportunities though.

What the future holds

You’ve built a real foundation in web design and development. You can sketch, prototype, design, code, and deploy working websites and applications. You know how to troubleshoot. You’ve learned how to learn. You're not just learning to code anymore—you’re building a body of work. You’re shipping. You’re thinking about systems, users, and performance. What comes next depends on the problems you want to solve.

We’re committed to perpetually improving our programs. Our core DFTW framework is always evolving—so once we’re aligned on the fundamentals, we can go deeper with more clarity and control. As part of our alumni network, you’ll have free access to all future workshops as they’re developed.

DFTW is a lot to absorb. You might take a break, focus on work, or build at your own pace. But when you're ready, we're here—with new workshops, better tools, and harder problems worth solving.

  1. Building your own product

    You’ve got the foundation. Now build something real. Design the stack, handle user flows, connect payments, and solve the problems that show up when it’s no longer just a prototype.

  2. Launching a startup or studio

    Some of you want to go further. This is about turning what you know into a service, a company, or a creative practice. We’ll help you stay focused while building something sustainable.

  3. Choosing your stack & identity

    Frameworks are more than tools. Choosing how you build shapes how you think. We’ll help you explore what fits—Nuxt, Laravel, Go, Rust, HTMX—and why those choices matter (or don’t).

  4. Systems thinking & scale

    Things get weird when apps grow. You’ll learn to debug systems, plan for failure, and keep things fast and stable. It’s about staying in control as your projects evolve.

  5. Becoming the framework

    Sometimes the tool you need doesn’t exist. So you make it. Build libraries, plugins, and internal systems that are reliable, readable, and ready for other people to use.

  6. Owning a visual & interaction niche

    Some people design. Some people code. You do both. This is about making systems that look good, feel right, and scale across teams or products.

  7. Creative code & interaction

    Not everything needs to be an app. This is about music, visuals, and playful experiences made with code. Explore generative design, Web Audio, and weird input systems that break the rules.

  8. Exploring alternative paradigms

    You’ve seen how things usually work. This is where you explore how they could work. Try functional tools, no-JS workflows, local-first apps, and other patterns that challenge the defaults.

  9. Interfaces beyond the screen

    What if your code ran a light, a motor, or a sensor? Learn how to connect software to the real world. This includes physical interfaces, microcontrollers, and connected devices.

  10. Working with AI

    Things are moving fast, and no one knows exactly where it’s headed. What we do know is that new tools are showing up everywhere—from design to development to business ops. We’re keeping up, testing what’s useful, and helping you make sense of it all when the time comes.

  11. High-stakes prep

    Some paths require more polish, deeper theory, or a longer timeline. Whether you’re targeting a competitive job at a company like Apple or applying to a grad program in HCI or interaction design, we can help you plan your trajectory.

  12. Internships and giving back

    We sometimes bring graduates into real client work. Others help shape the curriculum or mentor new students. If you want to stay involved, there’s always something meaningful to work on.

  13. You tell us!

    Your experience will help shape where we go next.

Want to change the world? Become a designer

Did you just read all that information up there? There are more than 50 little paragraphs! If you did – then you might be serious about this stuff. Let’s talk about it.

Check out the DFTW self-paced program to see how it works and get started.

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