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.
I’m also big believers in letting kids be kids!
Thatâs 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 our 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 itâs about,
- Having fun while creating incredible art and designs that your young creatives will be proud to share đ
Privacy & Cyber Safety
At So MAD About Design, we believe in the benefits of limiting screen time and online exposure for young creatives. Thatâs why participation in our courses does NOT require joining a forum or social media platform.
Instead, you, as a So MAD Parent, will be the bridgeâhelping your young creative connect with us via email, our website, or social media (if you choose).
Safe & Guided Online Learning
Devices & Internet Use:
Our courses do 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)
Protecting Your Child’s Privacy
We recognise the importance in protecting privacy where children are involved, and we will not knowingly collect personal information online from children under the age of 13 without parental or guardian consent. If a child has provided us with personal information without consent, the parent or guardian may contact us at: hello@somadaboutdesign.com, and we will remove it from our database immediately.
How we connect
Your young creative can complete our courses independently, but if they ever need help, have questions, or want to show off their work, weâre always here! They can reach out via email or with your help through the So MAD Parents Group.
⨠Weâre here to support their creative journeyâsafely, securely, and with you by their side.
What they’ll need:
For all courses and tutorials involving digital art and animation, our So MAD designers will need an iPad and Apple pencil 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 â this can be used via the iPad 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&Aâs.
A way to connect
We also want you, the parents/guardians, to be involved! Weâve made the conscious decision to keep our So MAD parents involved in our processes. We want you to know what your youngster is doing, to encourage them, guide them and cheer them on!
We feel by giving our tweens and teens the opportunity to explore their creative interests, we are giving them a gift that could inspire, educate and empower them in the future, AND we want you to remember, that this time you spend with them doing this, is a valuable way to connect with them.
We can give our tweens clothes, the latest phone or any other item that would make them feel amazing on the outside, but these things won’t help them on the inside. Instead, we should be spending time with them, giving them the opportunity to explore their talents, and by doing this we are planting the seeds for the individual they will become in the future.
Have more questions? Check our FAQ’s below or contact us 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.
Our courses are aimed at tweens and teens aged 9-14. BUT we fully expect that as our creatives grow, we will likely 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?
The Pixels Vault membership is coming soon! But we also have a growing library of free resources and tutorials that can be accessed at any time HERE. They are pre-recorded, and you can access these when you want and learn at your own pace.
What is the Pixels Vault?
The Pixels Vault is an upcoming members-only library packed with Procreate tutorials, graphic design tips, step-by-step creative projects, exclusive brushes, and more! Sign up for early access HERE
How difficult are the lessons?
Our tutorials and courses are aimed at beginner (know nothing!) to intermediate (Iâve explored Canva and Procreate before) levels.
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 weâd 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 or through the So MAD Parents Group, where weâre 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 or the So MAD parentsâ group.
- Our goal is to be a bright spark in your young creativesâ 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 âdevice timeâ productively - creating, designing and making something theyâre proud of in that time, rather than waste it away on less productive activities.
- Our courses require very few âartâ supplies. A sketchbook, access to an iPad (with the Procreate app and Apple pencil) and/or a computer are generally all theyâll 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 â 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 engagingâperfect for short attention spans and making creativity fun!
Videos are 5-10 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 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.Â
Your child's safety and privacy always comes first!