The Parents' Portal
Your low-down on the So Mad About Design experience.
So Mad About Design exists to guide and nourish growing minds
Here at So MAD, I’m a parent first and your creative guide second. That’s why I’m committed to keeping your young creative safe online and looking out for them as if they were my own.
Right now So MAD is on pause as a business. I am not running regular classes or memberships, but the ideas and resources on this site are still here for you to use in your own time.
I’m also big believers in letting kids be kids!
That’s why So MAD About Design is all about:
- Enabling your tween to embrace their creative self,
- Learning skills they can carry with them into the future,
- Challenging them to figure things out, map out their ideas, question and come up with solutions,
- Using my tutorials and courses as a guide, but letting their own style shine through,
- Helping them express themselves creatively, and boost their self-esteem,
And most of all it’s about:
- Enjoying the process while they create art and designs they are proud to share 💗
Privacy & Cyber Safety
At So MAD About Design, I believe in the benefits of limiting screen time and online exposure for young creatives. That’s why participation in tutorials and projects does NOT require joining a forum or social media platform.
Instead, you, as a So MAD Parent, will be the bridge, helping your young creative connect with me via email, website, or social media (if you choose).
Safe & Guided Online Learning
Devices & Internet Use:
Tutorials and projects will require the use of an iPad and/or computer with internet access for:
- Watching tutorials
- Researching and exploring creative ideas
- Using Canva (a free online design tool).
So, while screens are involved, we see this is positive screen time. It’s creative, purposeful, and skill-building, with each activity helping your child use technology with confidence and see screens as tools for creativity, not just endless scrolling.
Protecting Your Child’s Privacy
I recognise the importance in protecting privacy where children are involved, and I will not knowingly collect personal information online from children under the age of 13 without parental or guardian consent. If a child has provided personal information without consent, the parent or guardian may contact me at: hello@somadaboutdesign.com, and I will remove it from the database immediately.
How we connect
Your young creative can complete tutorials and projects independently, but if they ever need help, have questions, or want to show off their work, I’m always here! They can reach out via email.
✨ I’m here to support their creative journey; safely, securely, and with you by their side.
What they’ll need:
For tutorials involving digital art and animation, your So MAD designers will need an iPad and Apple pencil along with the Procreate app.
Courses and tutorials focusing on Graphic Design basics and skills will use the free online Graphic Design tool- Canva – this can be used via the Canva app or on a computer.
All lessons are pre-recorded and are learn at your own pace. At times courses may be guided with weekly emails, and scheduled opportunities for Q&A’s.
A way to connect
I also want you, the parents/guardians, to be involved! I’ve made the conscious decision to keep our So MAD parents involved in our processes. I want you to know what your youngster is doing, to encourage them, guide them and cheer them on!
I feel by giving our tweens and teens the opportunity to explore their creative interests, we are giving them a gift that will inspire, educate and empower them in the future, AND I want you to remember, that this time you spend with them doing this, is a valuable way to connect with them too.
I strongly believe that while we can give our tweens clothes, the latest phone or any other item that would make them feel amazing on the outside, these things won’t help them on the inside. Instead, spending time with them and giving them the opportunity to explore their talents, will plant the seeds for the individual they will become in the future ✨
Have more questions? Check the FAQ’s below or contact me at hello@somadaboutdesign.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is So Mad About Design?
So Mad About Design is a creative hub for young artists and designers to explore digital art and graphic design through fun tutorials, creative prompts, and hands-on learning.
Who is So MAD designed for?
So MAD About Design welcomes all creatives of all social, cultural, community and family backgrounds and of all identities and all abilities.
Most resources are aimed at tweens and teens aged 9 to 14. BUT we fully expect that as our creatives grow, we will expand to introduce our older students to more advanced Graphic Design programs and skills.
Does my child need any experience to join?
Nope! So Mad About Design is beginner-friendly, with step-by-step guidance to help young creatives build confidence at their own pace.
How do I access your tutorials?
Right now there are no new courses or memberships being sold. Instead you can access a growing library of free resources and tutorials at any time from the Resources section. They are pre recorded, and you can use them whenever it suits you.
What is the Studio Vault?
The Studio Vault is the name of the members only library I created for Procreate tutorials, graphic design tips, step by step creative projects, brushes and more.
At the moment membership is closed and I am not taking new members. If this changes in the future I will update the website and email list.
How difficult are the lessons?
Our tutorials and courses are aimed at beginner (know nothing!) to intermediate (I’ve explored Canva and Procreate before) levels and beyond!
My purchase is not what I expected. Can I get a refund?
Due to the nature of Digital Products, any orders received and processed have a strict no refund policy. Where the incorrect Digital Product is sent to you, or where the link provided to download is not working, we will send the correct Digital Product to you, or a revised link at no extra cost. Read further on our refund policy HERE
Do I have to be there with my child?
No, not technically. Your child can follow our tutorials and instructions on their own BUT we’d love you as their parents/guardians to know what your youngster is doing, we want you to encourage them, guide them and cheer them on!
How can my young creative ask questions and get feedback?
They can reach out anytime via email , I'm always happy to help!
What makes our courses and tutorials special?
Our goal is to make sure our young creatives are nurtured and supported in a fun and safe environment.
- All courses are pre-recorded and accessed via the So Mad About Design website.
- Young creatives are welcome to contact So MAD with questions and feedback. They can do this with the support of their parents/guardian, via their email
- Our goal is to be a bright spark in your young creatives’ week. We want to inspire them to try new things, to stretch their creativity to the limit, and to build their confidence in digital and graphic design.
- We want to see our young creatives use their “device time” productively - creating, designing and making something they’re proud of in that time, rather than waste it away on less productive activities.
- Our courses require very few “art” supplies. A sketchbook, access to an iPad (with the Procreate app and Apple pencil) and/or a computer are generally all they’ll need.
What materials will I need?
For all courses and tutorials involving digital art and animation, our So MAD designers will need an iPad and Apple pencil (unless they prefer drawing with their finger, which some past students have preferred this!) along with the Procreate app.
Our courses and tutorials focusing on Graphic Design basics and skills, will use the free online graphic Design tool - Canva – this can be used via the iPad app or on a computer.
Do we have to use Procreate?
No, while Procreate is great (and my preferred tool), many skills and techniques can be applied using other digital art programs too.
Are tutorials short and easy to follow?
Tutorials are bite-sized and engaging- perfect for short attention spans and making creativity fun!
Videos are 5-15 minutes long, breaking skills down into quick wins that build confidence along the way.
Each tutorial builds on others, helping young creatives level up their skills without feeling overwhelmed.
Do kids need social media to participate?
Nope! So Mad About Design does not require young creatives to join forums or social media to access tutorials. Parents can stay in the loop via email, our website, or social platforms (if they choose).
How do you protect kids' privacy?
We take privacy seriously and do not collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. Parents can contact hello@somadaboutdesign.com to request the removal of any data.
Will my child's creations be shared?
We love celebrating young creatives and their work! However, we will always ask for parent and participant permission first before sharing online or in our gallery.
When we do showcase artwork, we use non-identifying features, like "Miss 12" or "Young Creative 14", instead of full names.
Your child's safety and privacy always comes first!