Everything You Need to Know Before Joining Design School

If you have been considering Design School and have questions you want answered honestly before you decide — this post is for you.

These are the real questions I hear most often. I am going to answer them the same way I would if you asked me directly.

"Do I need experience to join Design School?"

No. Design School was built to meet you exactly where you are.

If you are a complete beginner who has never made a wreath, you will find tutorials that walk you through every foundation skill you need. If you have been making for years and already sell your work, you will find advanced technique tutorials, pricing strategy, and selling skills that take your business further.

The library of over 1,000 step-by-step tutorials covers everything from basic techniques to professional product presentation — and new content is added consistently so there is always something new to learn no matter how far along you are.

"What if I cannot make every live class?"

You never have to choose between your life and your learning.

Every live class is recorded and added to the library, usually within 24 hours. You can watch at any time, on any device, at whatever speed works for you. Members who travel, work full-time jobs, or have unpredictable schedules get just as much value from the replay library as members who attend every session live.

That said — showing up live has real advantages. The feedback, the community energy, and the ability to ask questions in real time are things a replay cannot fully replicate. But missing a session never means falling behind.

"How is Design School different from free YouTube tutorials?"

This is a fair question and I want to answer it honestly.

YouTube has incredible free content. So does Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram. If your only goal is to learn a new technique, you can absolutely find that for free online.

Design School is different in two important ways.

First, the structure. Free tutorials are scattered across different creators with different teaching styles, quality levels, and gaps between them. Design School is a curated progression — from skill foundations through professional selling — designed to build on itself in a logical sequence. You know what to learn next because the path is laid out for you.

Second, the community and live coaching. No YouTube channel has coaches reviewing your work, answering your specific questions, and giving you feedback tailored to your designs. That live interaction — the critique, the encouragement, the troubleshooting — is what accelerates growth in a way that passive consumption never does.

"Can I really cancel any time?"

Yes. No contracts, no penalties, no hoops to jump through.

If Design School is not delivering what you expected, you cancel before your next billing date and you will not be charged again. We want you to stay because you are getting real value — not because leaving is difficult.

"I already sell my work. Is Design School still worth it?"

Often more so than for beginners — because you already have context for what you are learning.

Experienced makers use Design School in two main ways: deepening their design skills (expanding into new techniques, seasonality, product line strategy) and strengthening the business foundations around their existing sales (pricing, photography, presentation, Etsy optimization). Many of our most active members have been selling for years and still find consistent value in the library and live sessions because there is always more to learn and always a new technique to add to their work.

"How much time do I need each week?"

As much or as little as you have.

Some members watch one tutorial a week and that is enough to feel engaged and growing. Others spend several hours a week working through the curriculum systematically. There is no required minimum — Design School adapts to your schedule, not the other way around.

A reasonable starting point for most members is two to three hours per week: one or two tutorials and a live session or replay.

"Is this just for wreath makers?"

Design School was built from the wreath-making world — Damon built DecoExchange into an eight-figure business selling wreaths and seasonal decor — but the skills and principles extend well beyond wreaths.

Members make floral arrangements, door hangers, seasonal centerpieces, holiday decorations, home decor pieces, signs, and more. If you create handmade items you want to sell — or want to — Design School's design principles, pricing strategies, and selling foundations apply to your business.

"Do I get access to everything right away?"

Yes. From the moment your membership is active, you have access to the full tutorial library, the live class schedule, the community, and all member resources. There is no locked content, no waiting period, no drip schedule. Everything is available immediately.

"What comes after Design School?"

Design School is the starting point of a full progression inside The Makers University.

Once you have built your creative skills and are ready to grow your audience, Visibility Club is the natural next step — teaching you how to show up consistently on social media and attract buyers to your work.

From there, ChaChing Society gives you the complete weekly sales system that turns your audience into consistent revenue. And for makers ready to build fully automated marketing systems, CMC and the Mastermind take you further.

You never have to leave one program to join another — each level builds on and includes everything below it. Design School is where the foundation is built. Everything else grows on top of it.

Ready to Join?

Design School is $60/month or $600/year (two months free). Cancel any time.

Learn all about Design School here: https://themakersuniversity.com/design-school 

If you have a question that is not covered here, reach out to our team — we are happy to answer anything before you join.

Damon Oates is the founder of The Makers University and DecoExchange. Design School is open to makers at every level. Learn more at themakersuniversity.com.