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LEARN, CREATE, LEAD
APPRENDRE, CREER, DIRIGER

Download our Program Brochure

LEADING THE FUTURE
OF DESIGN AT THE ULEVUS SCHOOL OF DESIGN

At the ULEVUS School of Design (USOD), students engage in an immersive educational experience that develops their ability to think critically, understand people and contexts, and create impactful and relevant solutions to complex challenges.

Our approach brings together design thinking, human-centered practice and research-driven learning within an interactive environment where students learn through inquiry, experimentation, collaboration, and reflection. Through this experience, we seek to develop designers who are capable of contributing thoughtfully to Africa’s evolving creative and design landscape while producing work that is relevant, purposeful, and of a high standard.

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WHAT YOU WILL LEARN with us

Focus: Human-centered problem-solving, research, creative hands-on experience, and prototyping with design materials.

This course introduces students to design as a structured approach to understanding problems, exploring ideas, and developing purposeful solutions through research and creativity.

Course Content

1. Design Orientation
Introduction to design as a structured approach to understanding problems and creating purposeful solutions.

2. The Design Process
Explore an immersive process from problem identification and research to ideation, analysis, testing, and refinement.

3. Design Research & Inspiration
Learn to draw insights and inspiration from research, observation, nature, culture, existing solutions, and everyday experiences.

4. Design Purpose & Function
Understand how design decisions respond to specific needs, problems, and intended functions.

5. User Experience & Emotional Impact
Get to know how people interact with design and how usability, perception, and emotion influence their experience.

6. Design Depth & Sustainability
Consider durability, adaptability, materials, and context to create solutions that remain useful and relevant over time.

Focus: Visual design, elements, digital and print media, and creative execution.

This course introduces students to the principles and practice of graphic design, helping them communicate ideas, information, and messages through purposeful visual systems and creative execution.

Course Content

1. The Design Process
Learn the process from initial sketching and digital development to prototyping, review, and final execution.

2. Design Elements
Understand how color, shape, form, texture, composition, and material contribute to effective visual communication and designs.

3. Design Inspiration & Exploration
Develop ideas through observation, research, nature, visual references, cultural influences, and creative exploration.

4. Design Purpose & Communication
Use visual design to create aesthetic appeal, communicate brand messages, convey information, and tell impactful stories.

Focus: Language, storytelling, meaning, and narrative in design.

This course explores how language and storytelling influence the way people understand, experience, and respond to design. Students learn to use words strategically to communicate ideas, build engagement, and create contextually relevant experiences.

Course Content

1. Language in Design
Explore the role of language in design, including brand voice, UX writing, messaging, and packaging communication.

2. The Design Process
Develop messages through research, ideation, review, considering tone, clarity, audience, and cultural context.

3. Language & Narrative Elements
Understand how word choice, typography, tone and narrative structure shape meaning and influence communication.

4. Purpose & Persuasion
Use language to create clarity, communicate value, persuade audiences, and build emotional connections through slogans, narratives, and UX microcopy.

5. Context & Adaptability
Adapt language and messaging to different audiences, cultures, platforms, and contexts.

6. Designers as Communicators & Leaders
Develop the ability to present and articulate design ideas clearly, communicate value, respond to company needs, and confidently advocate for creative solutions. Students learn to engage clients, customers, and communities in ways that build trust, influence decisions, and establish them as effective voices and leaders within the design community.

Learning Through Understanding, Practice, and Reflection

Empathy is central to excellent design. At USOD, students learn to understand people, contexts, and challenges before developing solutions. Our research-driven approach brings together technical design skills, community engagement, collaboration, leadership, and personal development within an experiential learning environment guided by experienced practitioners.

We believe creativity is more than having artistic ability. It is a way of thinking, questioning, connecting ideas, and making informed decisions that leads to the creation of solutions to real human problems and contextual challenges. 

 
DISCOVER OUR LEARNING APPROACH

PROGRAM STRUCTURED

The Ulevus School of Design program is flexible and tailored to accommodate working adults. Designed as a cohort-based program, it nurtures collaboration and support among students, creating lasting connections that continue throughout their careers.

Classes are held in the evenings, starting at 6:00 p.m. (18h00) to accommodate the daytime schedules of working adults and university students. Labs, immersive workshops, and excursions take place on Saturdays.

1

Level 1 - FOUNDATION

Ideal for beginners with no prior design experience or basic skills
2

Level 2 - DEVELOPMENT

For Individuals who have completed USOD's Level 1 Design course, building a design career, and aspiring to obtain work opportunity as a designer.
3

LEVEL 3 - PROFESSIONAL

Designed for students who have completed Level 2, Level 3 provides an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings through guided internships with USOD partner companies and organizations. Students conclude the level by presenting their cohort projects in a full exhibition that showcases their learning, creativity and practical contributions.
VIEW PROGRAM DETAILS

DOWNLOAD SCHOOL BROCHURE

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ADMISSION PROCESS

To be a great designer, you must be an excellent design thinker.

Eligibility Criteria
Open to beginners and intermediate-level designers. Applicants must be 18 years or older.
Application Deadline
USOD has an ongoing application process.

To join the 2026 / 2027 Class, apply by 10 November 2026.
Application Process
3 WAYS TO APPLY
1: Complete the USOD online application form
2: Contact us at info@ulevusschoolofdesign.com
3: Visit our admission center in Terminus, Bonamoussadi, Douala.
Selection Process
Once you submit your application, a USOD representative will contact you to learn more about your background and experience.

Complete a placement assessment to help us determine the level that best matches your current skills and experience.

Complete the Registration Process.
Registration Fee
Candidates pay a one-time non-refundable application and registration fee of 10,000 FCFA to complete their enrollment.

TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS
USOD tuition fees depend on the duration of enrollment:
3 months (Level 1 — Foundation): 120,000 FCFA
6 months (Levels 1 & 2): 240,000 FCFA
9 months (Levels 1, 2, & 3): 320,000 FCFA

Students who enroll in the full nine-month programme save 40,000 FCFA compared with paying for each level separately. Each level lasts three months.

Installed payment can be arranged for those who qualify.

Students progressing to higher Level after completing the previous level are eligible for a USOD scholarship, covering up to 15% of their Tuition.

DISCOVER OUR SESSION EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES​

EVENTS
WORKSHOP

Peer Review Sessions

Nothing great is achieved alone, and this is especially true in design. Collaborate with your peers, draw inspiration from others, and engage in the process of ideation, creation, review, and refinement while acquiring valuable new perspectives.
EVENTS
WORKSHOP

Field Trips and Experiential Learning

Becoming a great designer requires exposure outside of the training space and screen. Visit museums, studios, art galleries, nature centers, and creative hubs to see creativity in action and gain inspiration from professional environments.
EVENTS
WORKSHOP

Design Presentations

As a designer, you must effectively communicate and sell your ideas to both internal and external stakeholders. Gain confidence in public speaking and learn to articulate your design process and solutions clearly through strategic presentations.
EVENTS
WORKSHOP

Workshops and Masterclasses

Periodically, we offer specialized design workshops featuring creative, hands-on sessions that challenge and elevate industry standards in Africa. These workshops propel the growth of intermediate and advanced designers.
EVENTS
WORKSHOP

Big Ideas Research Showcase

Research is an integral part of our curriculum, allowing students to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems. By applying human-centered design concepts, principles, and systems, they learn to create exceptional user experiences.
EVENTS
WORKSHOP

Portfolio Development Sessions

Building a strong portfolio is essential for launching a successful design career. Our guided sessions help you curate your best work, refine your presentation, and ensure that your portfolio showcases your unique creative identity.

BECOME A DESIGNER AT USOD

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OUR COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENTS AT USOD

An African adage says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” At USOD, we believe that students have a responsibility to contribute to those communities through what they learn and create.
 
Through community engagement, students apply their design skills to real contexts, working with community organizations, businesses, and people to understand challenges, design possibilities, and develop creative solutions. These experiences deepen their understanding of people and context while developing empathy, responsibility, and a stronger sense of purpose.
 
For us, community engagement is about learning with communities, contributing through design, and developing the ability to create solutions that serve people better.

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

USOD offers training in Design Thinking, Graphic Design, and Verbal (Communication) Design. 

Classes are held in the evenings, starting at 6:00 p.m. (18h00) to accommodate the daytime schedules of working adults and university students. Labs, immersive workshops, and excursions take place on Saturdays.

Apply online at https://ulevusschoolofdesign.com/apply-to-join-usod/

Applicants are contacted and invited to visit our office at Terminus Bonamoussadi, Douala, or schedule a virtual call.

 

Build a strong design portfolio that demonstrates your skills, thinking, and creative practice, while gaining opportunities to pursue internships and work opportunities with ULEVUS Design & Communication Company and our partner organizations.

USOD tuition fees depend on the duration of enrollment:

3 months (Level 1 — Foundation): 120,000 FCFA

6 months (Levels 1 & 2): 240,000 FCFA

9 months (Levels 1, 2 & 3): 320,000 FCFA

Students who enroll in the full nine-month programme save 40,000 FCFA compared with paying for each level separately. Each level lasts three months.

Installed payment is available. 

USOD programmes are currently offered in person at our campus in Bonamoussadi, Douala, providing students with an immersive and collaborative learning experience.

Tuition fees can be paid via MTN MoMo or Orange Money, or Cash.

Installment payment plans can be arranged for students who requires it and qualify for it.

All payments are acknowledged with an official receipt for your records.

A 10,000 FCFA registration fee is required to complete enrollment, which will be credited toward your total program fee.

Tuition payment may be paid in 3 installments for those who qualify.

For further inquiries, feel free to contact us at info@ulevusschoolofdesign.com or +237 6 82 13 12 15

Yes! USOD offers financial assistance through the USOD Scholarship, available to Level 2 and Level 3 students who have completed Level 1 or Level 2 at USOD and demonstrated outstanding academic performance.

The USOD Scholarship covers 15% of the programme tuition fee.