Question 1

What is Shift Nudge?

Accepted Answer

Shift Nudge is a professional interface design training program for working designers. It teaches a proven framework for typography, layout, and color, with live critique and a professional community. The training includes 8 weeks of structured study and one year of live mentorship, workshops, and community access.

Question 2

Who teaches Shift Nudge?

Accepted Answer

Shift Nudge is taught by Matt D. Smith (MDS), a designer with over 20 years specializing in interface design. MDS is the creator of the Float Label pattern adopted by Apple, Google, and many others, and designer of popular Figma plugins Contrast and Flowkit.

Question 3

How does the critique and feedback process work?

Accepted Answer

Submit your work and attend regularly scheduled group live calls for feedback and critique. Members are encouraged to participate in reviewing each other's work as well. Additional feedback is delivered in the community via recorded video. All calls are recorded so you can participate on your schedule.

Question 4

How long do I have access to the course materials?

Accepted Answer

Your annual membership includes access to all training materials, live workshops, and mentorship. Access continues as long as your membership is active.

Question 5

How is this different from other design education?

Accepted Answer

Shift Nudge focuses on proven frameworks rather than scattered tutorials. You'll learn the underlying principles that enable confident decision-making across any project, not just how to follow steps.

Question 6

Does this cover mobile apps, websites, or both?

Accepted Answer

Both. The principles apply to any digital interface. You'll learn the foundational methodology that works across platforms, devices, and contexts.

Question 7

How much time does this require each week?

Accepted Answer

The training is designed for 5 hours per week over 8 weeks. This includes video lessons, practice exercises, and community participation. The pace is flexible so you can work ahead or take more time as needed.

Question 8

Will this help me build a stronger portfolio?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every lesson includes a design exercise. Later exercises chain together into complete interface projects. These are portfolio-worthy projects that can demonstrate methodical thinking and craft.

Question 9

Will I get a certificate of completion?

Accepted Answer

Upon completion, you will receive an official certificate of interface design. You can also include this on your LinkedIn profile and post it on social media.

Question 10

What level of design experience do I need?

Accepted Answer

Familiarity with a design tool is the only requirement. Working designers at any stage benefit from this training. Whether building foundations early in your career, refining your approach mid-level, or strengthening visual execution as a senior designer, the framework applies.

Question 11

Can I get an invoice with company details?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Whether you need an invoice before purchase, for company approval, or a receipt after purchase, for expense reporting, we can provide documentation with your company information.

Question 12

What if I don't live in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Shift Nudge is designed for a global audience. All content is available online, live workshops are recorded, and the community includes designers from over 60 countries.

Question 13

How much does Shift Nudge cost?

Accepted Answer

Membership is $1997/yr USD, billed annually. Contact us for alternative payment arrangements.

Question 14

Can my company reimburse this?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide an email template to help you request professional development reimbursement from your employer. View the expense template at /expense.

Question 15

What's included in each lesson?

Accepted Answer

Every lesson includes focused instruction on a specific principle and a design exercise to apply it. Later exercises connect together to build complete interface projects.

Question 16

What design tools do I need?

Accepted Answer

Figma, but the principles taught apply to any professional design tool. If you haven't chosen a platform, we recommend Figma for its industry adoption at leading companies.

Question 17

Can I work at my own pace?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Schedules range from 8 to 16 weeks, and you have a full year of access. Live calls happen regularly and are recorded, so you can join when your schedule allows.

Question 18

What if I fall behind or can't keep up with the pace?

Accepted Answer

You won't fall behind. Choose a schedule that fits your availability—8, 12, or 16 weeks. All content is recorded and available throughout your membership. Live calls happen regularly so you can join when your schedule allows. The training is designed to work at your pace.

Question 19

What happens after I complete the training?

Accepted Answer

Your annual membership continues beyond the initial training period. Access to live calls, new updates, and any released training materials remains active as long as your membership is current.

Question 20

How is craft training relevant with AI tools?

Accepted Answer

AI generates options—craft helps you evaluate them. The principles you learn here apply whether you're designing from scratch or refining AI output. Strong fundamentals enable better judgment regardless of tool. See What is Shift Nudge for our full position on AI and craft.

Question 21

Why don't you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

This training requires commitment to produce results. The framework works when applied consistently. Preview the curriculum, review testimonials from working designers, and apply when you're ready to commit to the process.

Question 22

Do you offer team training or group cohorts?

Accepted Answer

Team plans include transferable licenses that can be reassigned between team members while active. Optional private workshops and cohorts are available for an additional fee. Contact us at /teams for team pricing and arrangements.

Question 23

How do I get my manager to approve this?

Accepted Answer

We provide an email template to help you request professional development reimbursement from your employer. Many designers successfully expense this training. View the template at /expense.

Question 24

How long does Shift Nudge take?

Accepted Answer

The core training is 8 weeks at a recommended pace of 5 hours per week. All content is self-paced with regular live group critique sessions throughout the year. Live sessions are recorded, so you can participate on your schedule with ongoing access during membership.

Question 25

When will I see results?

Accepted Answer

Most members see improvement in their design decisions after just a few hours of training, and develop a dramatically stronger approach once the full training has been completed. There is always more to learn by revisiting lessons and joining live calls for continued growth.

Question 26

What's the difference between Shift Nudge and other design courses?

Accepted Answer

Shift Nudge focuses specifically on visual craft fundamentals for interface design: typography, layout, color, and spacing. It's comprehensive, systematic training with ongoing mentorship and an active community of working designers, not a short course or video collection.

FAQ

+What is Shift Nudge?

+Who teaches Shift Nudge?

+How does the critique and feedback process work?

+How long do I have access to the course materials?

+How is this different from other design education?

+Does this cover mobile apps, websites, or both?

+How much time does this require each week?

+Will this help me build a stronger portfolio?

+Will I get a certificate of completion?

+What level of design experience do I need?

+Can I get an invoice with company details?

+What if I don't live in the United States?

+How much does Shift Nudge cost?

+Can my company reimburse this?

+What's included in each lesson?

+What design tools do I need?

+Can I work at my own pace?

+What if I fall behind or can't keep up with the pace?

+What happens after I complete the training?

+How is craft training relevant with AI tools?

+Why don't you offer refunds?

+Do you offer team training or group cohorts?

+How do I get my manager to approve this?

+How long does Shift Nudge take?

+When will I see results?

+What's the difference between Shift Nudge and other design courses?