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, we’re parents first and your creative guide second. Which is why we’re committed to keeping your young creative safe online and looking out for them as if they were our own.
We’re 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 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 it’s about,
- Having fun while creating incredible art and designs that your young creatives will be proud to share 💗
Privacy & Cyber Safety
We believe in the benefits of limiting our youngsters’ time online and in the world of social media, and this is why it will not be a requirement for your young person to join a forum or social media platform to participate in our courses. You, as a So MAD Parent, will help connect your young creative to us here at So MAD About Design via email, our website, or social media platforms.
Your young creative might decide to undertake our online courses and tutorials completely independently, BUT if they do need help, have questions or want to show off their work, we will be here to respond via email or our So MAD Parents Group.
We want our designers to explore the internet safely with your support. Our courses will require the use of devices – an iPad and/or a computer, as well as access to the internet. They will need this to watch our tutorials, as well as for research and to use Canva (a free online graphic design tool).
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, after which we will remove the information from our database.
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 – this can be used via the iPad app or on a computer.
All lessons are pre-recorded and are learn at your own pace. Our bigger courses will be guided with weekly welcome videos, and scheduled opportunities for Q&A’s.
A way to connect
We also want you, the parents/guardians, to be involved! We’ve 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
When do you run your courses?
We have a growing library of courses and mini-tutorials that can be purchased and started at any time. They are pre-recorded, and you can access these when you want and learn at your own pace.
So, when I purchase a So MAD online course or mini tutorial, what exactly do I get?
You receive access to the specific course or mini tutorial you have purchased.
They can be accessed via our website with the links provided on purchase.
Mini tutorials – These focus on one project, developing or introducing a particular skill set. They are shorter in duration and can usually be completed in 1 or 2 sittings.
So MAD Courses – Our “big” courses are designed to be undertaken over a number of weeks, developing new skills along the way, practicing and refining them to produce something totally brag worthy by the end!
Who are the lessons 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.
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.
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!
I don't live in Australia, do I get the final project product?
Sending custom products from Australia can get a bit tricky, you know? So here’s the deal: Aussie Designers, you’re in luck – some courses will treat you to a cool final project product! 🇦🇺 But for our International Designers, we’ve got something equally awesome – a So MAD digital goodie bag! 🌍 It’s packed with goodies just as sweet as that custom product, and it’s sure to enhance your creative journey in all the right ways. 🎉
How can my young creative ask questions and get feedback?
Your young creative might decide to undertake our online courses and tutorials completely independently, BUT if they do need help, have questions, or want to show off their work, we will be here to respond via email (hello@somadaboutdesign.com) or our So MAD Parents Group.
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 parents’ group.
- 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 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.
How much time is required to complete a full course?
Our bigger courses will be guided with weekly emails, pre-recorded tutorials and accompanying resources. These are designed to be undertaken over a number of weeks (usually 6-8), developing new skills along the way, practicing and refining them to produce something totally brag-worthy by the end!
How much time is required for the tutorials?
Tutorial videos are kept to approx. 10 minutes each, and it will be up to your creative as to how long they take to create afterwards. Activities can usually be completed in 1 or 2 sittings.
How long do I have to finish the course?
When you have purchased a course, you will have full access to course content and can continue at your own pace. For courses that include a final project product, it will be your responsibility to send your designs to So MAD for printing.
You have a generous six-month window from the time you signed up to send in your design. If, for some reason, you need more time and it falls outside of this period, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll do my best to get your product to you, but please note that there might have been some changes with suppliers, potentially affecting the price. This could mean a slight additional cost, but we’ll cross that bridge together if we need to!
How do I access the course?
You will receive access to the specific course or mini tutorial you have purchased by clicking on the links provided to you after your purchase.
What if my child falls behind in the course plan?
Don’t stress, everything is pre-recorded, and they can catch up in their own time.