PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
Design Leadership Certification Toronto
Upon Successful Completion
Earn the Design Leadership Certification (DLC™)
Accelerate your career with the globally recognized BrainStation Design Leadership Certification (DLC™) course, featuring hands-on experience in live training led by UX design leaders from top global tech companies.
View the Course Package to access:
- Tuition details
- Financing options
- Employer sponsorship
Course Overview Design Leadership Certification
Get Certified in Design Leadership
Gain essential Design Leadership skills with hands-on instruction from industry leaders working at the best global tech companies like Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft.
View Upcoming DatesThe value I derived from the course was less about the content and more about connection with industry leaders and industry peers. The content served as the backdrop for engaging conversation, real-world experience sharing, and practical recommendations we could apply to our respective mandates in our companies.
Yousuf
Director of Enterprise Technology at PwC
The value I derived from the course was less about the content and more about connection with industry leaders and industry peers. The content served as the backdrop for engaging conversation, real-world experience sharing, and practical recommendations we could apply to our respective mandates in our companies.
Yousuf
Director of Enterprise Technology at PwC
Design Leadership Certification (DLC™) Course Overview
DLC-2025Q4
- Concepts
Transition to a Design Leader
Responsibilities of a Design Leader
Business Impact & Mindset
HCD Thinking for Business
Multi-Faceted Design Leadership
Company Vision & UX Vision
How Vision Informs Strategy
Brand
Manifesting Brand Through System Design
Design System Purpose and Brand
Fostering an Agile Culture
Agile Variants
Organizing Workflows and Pipelines
Design Maturity Models
Team Culture
Transition to a Design Leader
Company Vision & UX Vision
Fostering an Agile Culture
Responsibilities of a Design Leader
How Vision Informs Strategy
Agile Variants
Business Impact & Mindset
Brand
Organizing Workflows and Pipelines
HCD Thinking for Business
Manifesting Brand Through System Design
Design Maturity Models
Multi-Faceted Design Leadership
Design System Purpose and Brand
Team Culture
- Frameworks
Stakeholder Partnership Framework
Stakeholder Communication Plans
People Management Framework
Design System Anatomy
DesignOps
Design Metrics
Design Maturity Models
Agile Culture & Variants
Stakeholder Partnership Framework
Design System Anatomy
Design Maturity Models
Stakeholder Communication Plans
DesignOps
Agile Culture & Variants
People Management Framework
Design Metrics
- Skills
- Using AI to Enhance Problem Framing
- Vision Setting
- How to Address Business Needs
- How to Build a Design System
- Implementation Challenges & Solutions
- Building a Roadmap
- Tech Optimizations
- KPIs
- Tracking Design Performance
- Interpreting Metrics
- Managing Unexpected Outcomes
- Working with Product
- Working With Stakeholders
- Hiring
- Empowering & Enabling Teams
- Effective Team Communication
This professional development course does not require approval under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.
Why Get Certified in Design Leadership
Taught By Leaders From Top Global Tech Companies
Receive hands-on training from UX design leaders working at companies like Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft.
Apply Your Design Leadership Training
Collaborate on detailed case studies to demonstrate your unique expertise and experience.
Globally Recognized By Top Companies
BrainStation certifications are globally recognized by top companies for the most advanced and up-to-date skills.
Design Leadership Success Stories
My ultimate goal was to start my own company... I knew that BrainStation could provide me with the skills I would need to take an idea from conception to execution.
Greg
Co-Founder and CEO at Branch
Design Leadership Courses Start Dates
Take the Design Leadership Certification online or in-person at any of BrainStation's campuses. Select a time that fits your schedule.
No Upcoming Sessions Scheduled
Class dates & times
Location
Instructor
March 7 - March 21
9:00am - 5:30pm GMT
4 Saturdays • London
London
Staff Product Designer at Meta
Class dates & times
Location
Instructor
January 22 - March 12
6:30pm - 9:30pm EST
8 Thursdays • Toronto
Toronto
Design Leader at Meta
No Upcoming Sessions Scheduled
Design Leadership Certification Course Curriculum
Unit 1
Visionary Leadership
Through real-world case studies, explore the foundations of design leadership and how leaders at design-led organizations have leveraged Human-Centered Design to drive innovation in their industries. Learn the pillars of design leadership and how to become a design leader.
- Key Skills:
- Design Leadership Pillars
- Design & Business
- Vision Setting
- Human-Centered Design
- Brand & Design Frameworks
Learn Design Leadership Skills
Discover the pillars of design leadership and learn the role they play in setting and executing on your design vision.
Apply Human-Centered Design Skills
Explore the role Human-Centered Design plays across different types of businesses. Learn to set and execute a design vision through collaboration with stakeholders and long-term holistic thinking.
Unit 2
Design Management & Innovation
Explore the strategies that have enabled design leaders to drive innovation and help their businesses thrive within the modern economy. Learn to position design for success within your organization and through cross-functional collaboration. Discover Design Ops and how design leaders can achieve design maturity within their organization.
- Key Skills:
- Design Strategy
- Design Thinking
- Design Ops
- Design Maturity
- Measuring Design Success
Design as an Asset
Explore design's role within a product organization and how to maximize design's impact through effective collaboration with other teams.
Establish Design Ops
Learn to combine operating models and team structures to support the consistent development of high-quality designs within your organization.
Unit 3
Leading a Design Team
Design leaders must learn to inspire and lead the talent they recruit to implement their vision. Learn the mindsets and strategy to lead design teams through the cross-functional execution of your vision in a variety of hands-on workshops and case studies. Learn to collaborate with leadership, stakeholders, and clients to achieve successful long-term working relationships, achieve buy-in and establish design advocacy.
- Key Skills:
- Mentorship & Team Building
- Fostering Innovation
- Risk Management
- Leadership KPIs
- Achieving Buy-In
- Establishing Design Advocacy
Lead High-Performance Design Teams
Explore the concepts and practices behind high-performance design teams, and learn how to apply them as a design leader.
Build a Creative Practice and Culture of Design
Learn design team structures and how to manage and inspire design teams to perform their best and develop into future design leaders.
Earn Your Design Leadership Certification (DLC™)
Successfully completing BrainStation's Design Leadership Certification course will earn you the globally recognized BrainStation Design Leadership Certification (DLC™), demonstrating your mastery of the latest cutting-edge skills and tools. Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile and resume or CV.
Shareable on:
Your Next Step Towards Design Leadership Certification
View the Design Leadership Course Package to Learn More.
View the Course Package to access:
- Tuition details
- Financing options
- Employer sponsorship
Attend an Upcoming Design Event
BrainStation events bring top product leaders together to talk shop, trade perspectives, and build their network with other leaders and innovators. Experience the BrainStation community yourself by reserving your seat today.
Leaders in Fintech
Designing the Bank of the Future
Join us for an inside look at how design leaders are building the bank of the future.
-
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
- 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
- $35
Discussion Topics:
- Reinventing the Banking Experience
- Trust, Compliance and Confidence
- Personalization and AI in FinTech
Join us for an inside look at how design leaders are building the bank of the future.
-
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
- 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
- $35
Discussion Topics:
- Reinventing the Banking Experience
- Trust, Compliance and Confidence
- Personalization and AI in FinTech
Design Evenings TO
Building Design Teams That Scale
Join Lenny Laurier, Director of Product Design at Intuit, for an inside look at building design teams that thrive across startups and enterprise organizations.
-
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
- 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
- $25
Lenny Laurier
Director of Design
Discussion Topics:
- Scaling Design Teams for Impact
- Balancing User Experience, Platform and AI
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration and Strategic Leadership
Join Lenny Laurier, Director of Product Design at Intuit, for an inside look at building design teams that thrive across startups and enterprise organizations.
-
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
- 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
- $25
Lenny Laurier
Director of Design
Discussion Topics:
- Scaling Design Teams for Impact
- Balancing User Experience, Platform and AI
- Cross‑Functional Collaboration and Strategic Leadership
Intro to Product Design
Toronto
Join us in Toronto to discuss how Product Designers are shaping the world’s most innovative digital products by combining creativity, research, and technical skills to solve real user problems.
-
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST
- 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
- $10
Discussion Topics:
- What is Product Deisgn?
- Design Thinking in Action
- Adding Design Skills to Your Toolkit
Join us in Toronto to discuss how Product Designers are shaping the world’s most innovative digital products by combining creativity, research, and technical skills to solve real user problems.
-
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST
- 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
- $10
Discussion Topics:
- What is Product Deisgn?
- Design Thinking in Action
- Adding Design Skills to Your Toolkit
Design Evenings TO
Designing for Speed and Scale with AI
Join Brian Lin, Design Director of Growth at HelloFresh, for an inside look at how one of the world’s leading meal-kit brands is rethinking experimentation and creativity in the age of AI.
-
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
- 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
- $25
Brian Lin
Design Director, Growth
Discussion Topics:
- Experimentation at Speed
- AI as a Design Partner
- Balancing Craft and Scale
Join Brian Lin, Design Director of Growth at HelloFresh, for an inside look at how one of the world’s leading meal-kit brands is rethinking experimentation and creativity in the age of AI.
-
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
- 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
- $25
Brian Lin
Design Director, Growth
Discussion Topics:
- Experimentation at Speed
- AI as a Design Partner
- Balancing Craft and Scale
Design After-Hours TO
Winter 2026
An evening for Toronto designers, creatives, and design leaders to connect with others who care deeply about the craft.
-
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
- 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
- $25
Event Highlights:
- Enjoy complimentary refreshments
- Connect with design leaders to explore the latest in design innovation
- Learn from others over shared challenges and successes
An evening for Toronto designers, creatives, and design leaders to connect with others who care deeply about the craft.
-
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
- 482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON
- $25
Event Highlights:
- Enjoy complimentary refreshments
- Connect with design leaders to explore the latest in design innovation
- Learn from others over shared challenges and successes
Join BrainStation's Global Alumni Network
With a BrainStation certification, you'll join our global alumni network: a community of accomplished professionals across a range of critical tech skills, including User Experience Designers.
30,000+
Global BrainStation Alumni
100+
Countries
Industry-Led Design Leadership Certification
BrainStation's globally recognized certifications are created by industry professionals, for industry professionals. Our network of experts from leading tech companies provide insights and guidance to ensure each certification demonstrates the latest cutting-edge skills and tools.
Location
Learn in the Center of Toronto's Tech Hub
Located in the heart of Toronto's Tech Alley, BrainStation is at the center of Toronto's tech scene, surrounded by the best tech companies in Toronto. In addition to courses, BrainStation Toronto offers training sessions, industry events, expert panel discussions, and more.
BrainStation Toronto482 Front St W, 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON M5V 0W1, Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What is the Design Leadership Certification (DLC™)?
The Design Leadership Certification (DLC™) at BrainStation is a leading professional certification that verifies your completion of the course. Upon course completion, graduates receive the certificate and become a BrainStation-Certified Design Leader. A BrainStation certification can boost your LinkedIn profile and resume, helping you stand out in the job market when applying for more senior roles. BrainStation has been a global leader in digital skills training since its inception in 2011 and has trained over 30,000 professionals around the world.
-
Is my professional background a good match for the course?
This Design Leadership course is ideal for mid-level to senior-level professionals aiming to advance into leadership roles. It's well-suited for design professionals looking to enhance strategic, cross-functional collaboration skills and learn how to make data-informed, impactful design decisions. The course emphasizes leading design teams, scaling UX initiatives, and aligning the design vision with organizational goals.
For those new to UX Design or Product Design, or those looking to land that first product designer role, we recommend the Product Design Certification, which focuses on foundational concepts and frameworks, including user-centered design, design thinking, and more.
-
What are the prerequisites for enrolling in the Design Leadership Certification course?
Participants should have a solid foundation in UX Design, with experience in the human centered design process, data-driven decision-making, and team leadership. Familiarity with key strategies like go-to-market planning ensures a seamless transition into advanced concepts. These prerequisites help learners maximize the program's focus on strategy, leadership, and impactful decision-making.
-
Who are the instructors?
The Design Leadership instructors are experienced design professionals who have led in high-growth design teams at companies like Amazon, Shopify, Meta, and Microsoft. They bring real-world insights into managing design teams, setting design strategy, and delivering impactful outcomes.
-
What are the classes like?
The Design Leadership Certification classes are immersive and hands-on right from day one. Participants engage in hands-on projects, qualitative and quantitative analysis, case studies, and discussions that explore key areas like design strategy, team leadership, and decision-making. They work on real-world challenges, develop strategies for cross-functional collaboration, and learn to align design goals with business objectives. The course emphasizes practical, scenario-based learning to prepare for senior roles in design management.
-
How many students are in each class?
We prioritize creating an engaging and tailored learning experience by keeping our class sizes small enough to ensure that everyone receives focused support from the instructor, but large enough that learners have the opportunity to build valuable connections and benefit from the unique perspectives of professionals from diverse industries.
-
Is the course online or in-person?
The Design Leadership Certification is delivered in-person at our beautiful campuses. You’ll learn in an interactive classroom, taught by a leading Design expert, with opportunities for collaboration, discussion, and hands-on learning alongside your peers. Check out the course kick-off schedule here.
-
How long is the course, and what is the schedule?
The Design Leadership course is typically 4 or 8 weeks long, depending on the delivery format — currently offered in either 8 evening classes or 4 weekend day classes. In either case, the course adds up to a total of 24 hours of training, case studies, projects, lectures, and more. Our course schedule is designed to give you ultimate flexibility with delivery format, days of the week, and length. Check out the course kick-off schedule here.
-
What kind of roles can I apply for after completing the certification?
After completing the Design Leadership Certification (DLC™), you start your next major career transition into such roles as Design Director, Head of UX/UI or Creative Director. With experience, you can also pursue advanced positions like Creative Director or Chief Design Officer.
-
How does a Design Leadership Certificate compare to a Degree or Master's program?
A certification provides targeted learning and immediate recognition of specific skills, making it ideal for professionals looking to quickly validate their expertise and stand out in the job market. Unlike a degree or Master's program, which takes longer and covers a wider range of topics, certifications are streamlined and practical, allowing you to apply new skills directly to your role. This makes certifications a great option for those looking to advance their careers efficiently without the time and financial investment of a traditional degree.
-
What payment options do you offer?
BrainStation offers some of the most competitive payment options for any Design Leadership program. Payment options include:
-
Scholarship discount programs
Partial scholarships are available to help with tuition and are subject to eligibility. about these options.
-
Monthly payment installments
Split your tuition into smaller amounts and pay in installments over 3, 6, or 12 months.
-
Employer sponsorship
Many learners can have their tuition reimbursed by their employer through established Learning & Development budgets or on an ad-hoc basis.
-
Scholarship discount programs
-
Can I speak to someone about the course before I start?
Definitely! Our team of learning advisors is here to answer any questions you have. Simply at a time that is convenient for you — we look forward to speaking with you soon!
