Growth-Stage Teams
Designed for startup teams moving from early traction toward scale. It is especially useful for learners who need a structured, practical route into design systems rather than a purely theoretical overview.
ESH-16048 · Design
Design Systems Foundation for Growth-Stage Teams — Design
A 6-hour beginner course for startup teams moving from early traction toward scale who want to build reliable fundamentals in design systems. The course combines the design context with practical frameworks, realistic cases, guided exercises and a final applied output. Participants finish with a structured approach they can adapt to a real venture, team or project.
Blended online6 hoursBeginnerGrowth-Stage TeamsExplore pathway
What you need
Experience working in a startup or scale-up environment is recommended.
European Startup Hub Certificate of Completion — Design Systems Foundation
Knowledge checks, short exercises and a final practical reflection.
Learning outcomes
What you will be able to do.
Outcome 1
Explain the core principles of design systems in the context of design.
Outcome 2
Diagnose a realistic design systems challenge using structured startup tools.
Outcome 3
Build a practical design systems output appropriate for growth-stage teams.
Outcome 4
Evaluate evidence, assumptions and trade-offs before making design systems decisions.
Outcome 5
Apply design systems methods to a venture, project or organisational scenario.
Outcome 6
Create a next-step action plan that can be used after the course.
Full syllabus
8 course modules.
Each module combines explanation, examples and an applied activity.
Module 1
Foundations of Design Systems
Practical study of foundations of design systems with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 2
The Design context
Practical study of the design context with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 3
Customers, users and stakeholder needs
Practical study of customers, users and stakeholder needs with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 4
Tools and frameworks for Design Systems
Practical study of tools and frameworks for design systems with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 5
Evidence, data and assumptions
Practical study of evidence, data and assumptions with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 6
Designing the approach
Practical study of designing the approach with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 7
Execution and operating decisions
Practical study of execution and operating decisions with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Module 8
Measurement and key indicators
Practical study of measurement and key indicators with examples, prompts and an applied activity.
Assessment
Knowledge checks, short exercises and a final practical reflection.
Included materials
Digital course notes · Practical worksheets · Case exercises · Action-plan template · Completion record in ESH ID
Learning support
Platform learning support; live facilitator interaction is included where the delivery format states Live online or Blended online.
Course information & disclaimer
Educational programme. Completion does not constitute professional, legal, financial or investment advice and does not guarantee funding, employment or business outcomes. Catalogue version 2026.1 · Last reviewed 2026-08-24.
Ready to begin?
Design Systems Foundation for Growth-Stage Teams — Design · 6 hours · Blended online
Enrol for €105