What this course gives you



—

For mid-level designers aiming for senior roles:


You need solid Design System skills to build and implement one effectively. Real learning through real practice builds the confidence to sell your value. Long's hands-on experience means you're learning deep insights from someone with genuine expertise.


—

For designers from outsourcing/agencies or small teams:


You might feel insecure about not having worked on complex product lines, or worry about those fancy skills you see online. But your execution power is your superpower. Leverage your experience from multiple client projects to learn how to build scalable design systems—and gradually step into larger, more diverse environments with confidence.


—

For those planning a job switch:


This skill is perfect to have ready. Take time to prepare your portfolio for corporate applications, especially MNCs. It's also essential for anyone planning to work abroad—because even if you're in management now, moving to a new country often means starting from a specialist role.


Week 1: Onboard
Design System as a product & foundation tokens


Sun, 01 Nov, 2026


+ What is a DS with 3 token layers: Primitive, Semantic, Component
+ DS as a Product & Atomic Design Principles
+ DS Workflow Setup: corporate & freelance contexts
+ Figma Folder Structure & Variables applied to Fonts
+ Master files in context: from 0–1 to scale-up

Homework:
Group research on a real-world Design System and prepare to present next session.


—

Week 2: Variables, variants in Figma & workspace models


Sun, 08 Nov, 2026


+ Review & feedback on real-world DS from each group
+ Variants, Variables & Token Modes (Light/Dark)
+ Primitive Color Tokens
+ Semantic Color Tokens
+ Design Tokens: what's actually in the Figma file?
+ 3 Design Workspace Models: Standard Product, Feature-driven, White Label (Platform Model)
+ React Native considerations: context & solutions

Homework:
Start building your DS structure: create a project under your assigned bank name, set up Design Tokens based on brand colors


—

Week 3: iOS library, Web library & the power of annotation


Sun, 15 Nov, 2026


+ Homework review & group feedback
+ Dive-in: Design Tokens & Design Assets — file organization
+ The Power of Annotation & Component API
+ Negative Space
+ iOS Library: Controls, Navigation Controller, Universal Footer, System Components, State View, Content Slot & Information
+ Web Library: layout, breakpoints, key components

Homework:
Using the provided icon pack, create a set of Empty States for the iOS Library, including: icon, title, subtitle, button 1, button 2 (if applicable)


—

Week 4: Client meeting (Business/UX refinement)
& Your first journey


Sun, 22 Nov, 2026


SPECIAL SESSION: Simulating a real client meeting.
1. PM (guest teacher) has 20 minutes to present the design requirements, reflecting how every business and client communicates differently in real life.
2. Each team must actively ask questions to clarify user flow, business model, aesthetic requirements, and legal constraints (if any).

Why learners need this session:
+ Build the reflex of drafting solutions in your head during the meeting.
+ Active communication: practice asking questions, gain confidence in meetings, reduce dependency on the BA.
+ Build the core skill: respect the DS, solve the client's real needs, and defend your reasoning. This matters more than ever, now that AI can easily generate layers on top of an existing DS.

Lesson:
Your First Journey — Journey Documentation setup, logs, file presentation & case example.

Homework:
Draft your first journey based on the brief (happy path only). Bring it to Session 5.


—

Session 5: Design internal review & Android library


Sun, 29 Nov, 2026


INTERNAL REVIEW: Simulating the internal design defense before pitching to the client.
1. Design walkthrough: the designer explains the full solution to the team.
2. Multi-platform: designs presented in sync on both Mobile and Web.
3. Decision defense: the instructor plays critic, questioning decisions behind reusing vs. customizing components.

Why learners need this session:
+ Zoom OUT: DS solves the skeleton (reuse fast, save time for the niche problems). Time-to-market is the key!
+ Zoom IN: On complex screens, balance client needs, usability, and DS consistency. Pick, ship, defend.

Lesson: Android Library
+ Navigation, Search, Controls
+ Terminology differences: iOS vs. Android

Homework:
Create a new journey for your bank: Interbank transfer & Transfer to phone number. Both light & dark theme, with annotation & UX patterns, full outcome screens covering success & failure states.


—

Session 6: Second client meeting
New journey & Shared journey


Sun, 06 Dec, 2026


SPECIAL SESSION: A new journey lands on your desk. Things are getting more complex now.
1. Requirement briefing for the new journey (same drill as Session 4, tougher problem).
2. Excavate & clarify: user flow, business model, aesthetic and legal constraints.

Lesson: 
+ Shared journey: what happens when a single journey gets reused across products?
+ Building a Navigation Controller, a Passcode Input.
+ Quick overview of Illustration

Homework:
Create a new journey for your bank: Interbank transfer & Transfer to phone number. Both light & dark theme, with annotation & UX patterns, full outcome screens covering success & failure states.


—

Session 7: Second internal review
& Final assessment scoping


Sun, 13 Dec, 2026


+ Internal review of the new Journey with full team defense (always!)
+ Presentation structure & communication pro-tips
+ Operational Efficiency Optimization
+ DS Documentation: Tools, Getting Started, Foundations (Tokens & Patterns), Component Library
+ DS Maintenance: Ticket Template & Maintenance Process
+ Scoping the Final Assessment: what to cover, how to structure the pitch, what "done" looks like

Homework: Boss Level 😂
Compile everything into your Capstone Project: pitch a DS solution for a fictional Vietnamese bank
+ Build a mini Design System applied to 3 flows: Account Registration, Transfer & Dashboard.
+ Full annotation, light & dark theme, plus a Premium Theme for priority customer segments.


—
One-week break for learners to work on final assignments


—

Session 8: Course Wrap-up


Sun, 27 Dec, 2026


+ 3 teams present their final projects
+ Long gives feedback and closes the course
+ Group photo & awards ceremony

Reserve your spot →