Bulldog Design: Designing and Building YouSchool

As Americans, we spend nearly two decades as students, learning about major historical events that helped shaped society, finding the square root of “x,” and reading literary greats. Once we graduate high school and select a college, we’re expected to choose a major that will dictate our path for the rest of our lives. Our education system is highly focused on the rational development of students, but does almost nothing to develop their emotional intelligence or understanding of themselves.

After nearly two years of research, designing and building the model, we launched YouSchool—aimed at helping inspire and guide teens and young adults get to know themselves inside and out so they’re able to confidently take charge of the next phase of their lives. Through a focused eight week curriculum, that includes a range of engaging and interactive exercises navigated and facilitated by YouSchool’s certified Guides, students discover who they are, what inspires them, what’s holding them back and most importantly, how to turn the information they learn into a life designed by them, for them.

In partnership with our co-founders, Bulldog incubated and designed the business from early stage concept to the in-market prototype. We designed the brand to stand out from the sea of traditional education, textbooks and notebooks by elevating common classroom elements to a modern and focused design. Wide-ruled notebook paper, bright colors, hand-drawn elements and iconic photography create a playful and bright aesthetic for the brand. The design connects with young people while presenting information in a straightforward, easy to understand format.

To date, YouSchool has helped hundreds of students discover the personal tools needed to live a life that’s truly unique and truly their own—and that’s just the beginning. Please stay connected to us as we continue to nurture and grow the business in the months to come.

• “This is, by far, the best class I’ve taken in 4 years in college.”
• “I can’t tell you how many people have told me that I HAVE to figure out myself and my purpose in life—but you’re the first one to teach me HOW to figure myself out.”
• “This doesn’t suck like all the other programs.”
• “Going through YouSchool has repaired my relationship with my mom.”
• “Through YouSchool I learned that I do have a story and that in the end I am in control of my own actions.”
• “It made me think about things I don’t think about. It helped me feel more confident and learn about my classmates or people who surround me every day.”
• “The most helpful part was talking about my problems out loud, overcoming my past and talking to others who have similar situations.”