NOT DESIGN SCHOOL Realizes a Society Where Designers Who Can Create Value Through Essence Thrive.
Participating in April Dream, NOT DESIGN SCHOOL envisions a future where it cultivates next-generation designers capable of upstream design and AI utilization, providing a 'second step' for novices.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 01:58
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Our school supports April Dream, a day to broadcast dreams on April 1st. This press release represents the dream of 'NOT DESIGN SCHOOL'.
NOT DESIGN SCHOOL, which develops design education business, is a design school that provides a 'second step for novice designers aiming to become intermediate designers'. Instead of merely teaching the techniques of creating designs, we provide a fully custom-made learning program as a place to cultivate design capability and judgment to explain 'why we create it'. We aim to break away from superficial design and realize a society where designers who can intrinsically create value play an active role.
## The Reality Designers Face in the AI Era
Currently, with the evolution of AI, the very nature of design is undergoing a major transformation. Much of the work that humans used to spend a lot of time on can now be replaced by AI. In other words, we are clearly entering an era where designers who 'only create visuals' will be weeded out.
Amidst this, many fledgling designers are suffering from unstable work due to a 'lack of skills'. The field is overflowing with voices saying they lack confidence even after graduating from school, they fail document screenings even after making a portfolio, or they are anxious about next month's work because their unit price doesn't increase despite becoming independent.
However, what is truly needed is not the ability to move one's hands, but the ability to thoroughly think through 'why we create it'. There are still not many environments where this ability can be learned systematically.
In response to this situation, NOT DESIGN SCHOOL emphasizes cultivating designers who can explain 'why we create it', rather than simply training 'people who can design as a mechanical task'.
## Specific Initiatives to Date (HOW)
At NOT DESIGN SCHOOL, based on the idea that '90% of design is determined in the upstream planning', we emphasize learning in the planning stage. By repeatedly asking questions like 'Why this design?' and 'Why this color?', we thoroughly train the ability to verbalize one's own design philosophy.
To achieve this, we offer a fully custom-made 'Personalized Design Curriculum (starting every month)' that combines only the necessary learning according to each student's skill level, desired career, and purpose.
We design a dedicated curriculum based on a hearing prior to enrollment, and by assigning specialized mentors in each field, students efficiently accumulate only the skills they need.
### You can proceed with only the learning you need right now, alongside specialized mentors.
At the start of the course, we interview you about your skill level and goals, and design a learning plan just for you. According to that plan, specialized mentors with practical experience in each field are assigned to you. We optimally match personnel by domain, such as mentors specialized in Web design for Web, and mentors specialized in branding for branding. We also respond to detailed areas such as toB/toC even in UI design, and perform flexible matching. If desired, you can also nominate a mentor!
### Acquire upstream design and practical perspectives.
90% of design is determined in the upstream planning. NOT believes this and emphasizes learning in the planning stage. If you cannot create a design with solid reasoning, your proposals will not pass, and you will not have confidence in your own design. There will be no reproducibility of results, leaving you waiting for a stroke of luck. You will acquire the ability to explain 'why this design' and proceed smoothly without rework.
### Solidify your foundation by thoroughly building up from basics like design history.
At NOT, we also emphasize 'design basics', which are close to what is taught at art universities and vocational schools. Because you learn from the roots—colors, fonts, and layouts—you develop applied skills. Furthermore, systematic understanding such as design history is added, allowing you to firmly acquire a foundation that is often skipped in other schools.
### Catch up on how to use AI through regular study sessions.
AI, which evolves rapidly, is a difficult area to incorporate into a fixed curriculum. That is precisely why NOT holds regular study sessions and shares the latest AI utilization on a practical basis. Students who have received lectures naturally expand their skills to utilize AI, such as creating a task management system with Claude Code or developing their own personalized apps.
Students' Works
▼ Click here for details on the Personalized Design Curriculum
https://notdesignschool.jp/course/personalized-course
### Cultivating Genuine Designers Who Lead the Next Generation
The future we aim for is to 'produce designers who demonstrate value as a driving force and lead the next generation'. By 2030, we will create an environment throughout Japan where it is normal to produce 'talent who can continue as designers for a lifetime'.
Beyond that, we aim to continue producing designers who are 'genuine driving forces' universally accepted not only in Japan but worldwide. Not for the sake of creating something that stands out, but taking responsibility for people's experiences and social mechanisms. Communicating sincerely without lying. 'Rebooting the ethics and possibilities of design' like this is our April Dream.
## Thoughts of the Representative
Representative of NOT DESIGN SCHOOL, Mochi
The reason I started this business is 'because I thought it was necessary for the future of the design industry'. Once, a student I was instructing confided in me, 'I can't seem to get work. I might not be suited to be a designer.' Those words still remain strongly in my heart today. 'If there is no ideal place to learn, we have to create it ourselves.' Making that resolve, I launched this NOT DESIGN SCHOOL. We want to make the profession of designer something that anyone can continue with pride, and we will continue to cultivate the designers who will bear the next era.
## NOT DESIGN SCHOOL Overview
NOT DESIGN SCHOOL supports the second step for novice designers to step up to intermediate designers.
In our flagship service, the 'Personalized Design Curriculum,' we provide a fully custom-made learning program that combines only the necessary learning according to each student's skill level and desired career. Through a curriculum emphasizing design capabilities and hands-on guidance by active professionals, we aim to cultivate practical-level designers who can explain 'why that design'.
Official Website: https://notdesignschool.jp/
## NOT DESIGN SCHOOL Official SNS
NOT DESIGN SCHOOL Official X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/notdesignschool
NOT DESIGN SCHOOL Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyNFROfq13jzSVtf1I7U25A
NOT DESIGN SCHOOL Official LINE: https://lin.ee/rtZkKsK
NOT DESIGN SCHOOL, which develops design education business, is a design school that provides a 'second step for novice designers aiming to become intermediate designers'. Instead of merely teaching the techniques of creating designs, we provide a fully custom-made learning program as a place to cultivate design capability and judgment to explain 'why we create it'. We aim to break away from superficial design and realize a society where designers who can intrinsically create value play an active role.
## The Reality Designers Face in the AI Era
Currently, with the evolution of AI, the very nature of design is undergoing a major transformation. Much of the work that humans used to spend a lot of time on can now be replaced by AI. In other words, we are clearly entering an era where designers who 'only create visuals' will be weeded out.
Amidst this, many fledgling designers are suffering from unstable work due to a 'lack of skills'. The field is overflowing with voices saying they lack confidence even after graduating from school, they fail document screenings even after making a portfolio, or they are anxious about next month's work because their unit price doesn't increase despite becoming independent.
However, what is truly needed is not the ability to move one's hands, but the ability to thoroughly think through 'why we create it'. There are still not many environments where this ability can be learned systematically.
In response to this situation, NOT DESIGN SCHOOL emphasizes cultivating designers who can explain 'why we create it', rather than simply training 'people who can design as a mechanical task'.
## Specific Initiatives to Date (HOW)
At NOT DESIGN SCHOOL, based on the idea that '90% of design is determined in the upstream planning', we emphasize learning in the planning stage. By repeatedly asking questions like 'Why this design?' and 'Why this color?', we thoroughly train the ability to verbalize one's own design philosophy.
To achieve this, we offer a fully custom-made 'Personalized Design Curriculum (starting every month)' that combines only the necessary learning according to each student's skill level, desired career, and purpose.
We design a dedicated curriculum based on a hearing prior to enrollment, and by assigning specialized mentors in each field, students efficiently accumulate only the skills they need.
### You can proceed with only the learning you need right now, alongside specialized mentors.
At the start of the course, we interview you about your skill level and goals, and design a learning plan just for you. According to that plan, specialized mentors with practical experience in each field are assigned to you. We optimally match personnel by domain, such as mentors specialized in Web design for Web, and mentors specialized in branding for branding. We also respond to detailed areas such as toB/toC even in UI design, and perform flexible matching. If desired, you can also nominate a mentor!
### Acquire upstream design and practical perspectives.
90% of design is determined in the upstream planning. NOT believes this and emphasizes learning in the planning stage. If you cannot create a design with solid reasoning, your proposals will not pass, and you will not have confidence in your own design. There will be no reproducibility of results, leaving you waiting for a stroke of luck. You will acquire the ability to explain 'why this design' and proceed smoothly without rework.
### Solidify your foundation by thoroughly building up from basics like design history.
At NOT, we also emphasize 'design basics', which are close to what is taught at art universities and vocational schools. Because you learn from the roots—colors, fonts, and layouts—you develop applied skills. Furthermore, systematic understanding such as design history is added, allowing you to firmly acquire a foundation that is often skipped in other schools.
### Catch up on how to use AI through regular study sessions.
AI, which evolves rapidly, is a difficult area to incorporate into a fixed curriculum. That is precisely why NOT holds regular study sessions and shares the latest AI utilization on a practical basis. Students who have received lectures naturally expand their skills to utilize AI, such as creating a task management system with Claude Code or developing their own personalized apps.
Students' Works
▼ Click here for details on the Personalized Design Curriculum
https://notdesignschool.jp/course/personalized-course
### Cultivating Genuine Designers Who Lead the Next Generation
The future we aim for is to 'produce designers who demonstrate value as a driving force and lead the next generation'. By 2030, we will create an environment throughout Japan where it is normal to produce 'talent who can continue as designers for a lifetime'.
Beyond that, we aim to continue producing designers who are 'genuine driving forces' universally accepted not only in Japan but worldwide. Not for the sake of creating something that stands out, but taking responsibility for people's experiences and social mechanisms. Communicating sincerely without lying. 'Rebooting the ethics and possibilities of design' like this is our April Dream.
## Thoughts of the Representative
Representative of NOT DESIGN SCHOOL, Mochi
The reason I started this business is 'because I thought it was necessary for the future of the design industry'. Once, a student I was instructing confided in me, 'I can't seem to get work. I might not be suited to be a designer.' Those words still remain strongly in my heart today. 'If there is no ideal place to learn, we have to create it ourselves.' Making that resolve, I launched this NOT DESIGN SCHOOL. We want to make the profession of designer something that anyone can continue with pride, and we will continue to cultivate the designers who will bear the next era.
## NOT DESIGN SCHOOL Overview
NOT DESIGN SCHOOL supports the second step for novice designers to step up to intermediate designers.
In our flagship service, the 'Personalized Design Curriculum,' we provide a fully custom-made learning program that combines only the necessary learning according to each student's skill level and desired career. Through a curriculum emphasizing design capabilities and hands-on guidance by active professionals, we aim to cultivate practical-level designers who can explain 'why that design'.
Official Website: https://notdesignschool.jp/
## NOT DESIGN SCHOOL Official SNS
NOT DESIGN SCHOOL Official X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/notdesignschool
NOT DESIGN SCHOOL Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyNFROfq13jzSVtf1I7U25A
NOT DESIGN SCHOOL Official LINE: https://lin.ee/rtZkKsK
FAQ
Who is NOT DESIGN SCHOOL designed for?
It is for those aiming to advance from novice to intermediate designers, and those who want to verbalize design reasoning and engage in upstream design.
What is the key feature of the curriculum?
We offer a 'fully custom-made' learning plan tailored to each student's goals and skills, supported by professional mentors currently active in the field.
Can I also learn how to utilize AI tools?
Yes. We hold regular study sessions for the rapidly changing AI field, providing an environment to catch up on practical AI utilization using tools like Claude.