Case Study
iF DESIGN ACADEMY
iF DESIGN ACADEMY
Design Leadership for a Global Community
From the very beginning, the iF DESIGN ACADEMY had a vision that went beyond that of a learning platform: to serve as a home for a global design community and a place that makes design leadership accessible worldwide. It is supported by iF Design, which has been one of the most renowned institutions in the international design world for over 70 years. Together with MaxBrain as its strategic development partner, this has gradually evolved into a digital learning ecosystem that embodies this vision and continues to grow.
Initial situation
A global learning hub for the design community
The iF DESIGN ACADEMY has one major goal: to make design leadership accessible worldwide and to connect a global community of design experts. Five key requirements were instrumental in the success of this learning ecosystem.
1
Global Availability: Design Leadership Without Borders
The Academy is aimed at a design community spanning all continents and time zones. The platform had to run anytime, anywhere—quickly and reliably—regardless of whether a participant was studying in Tokyo, São Paulo, or Berlin.
2
Digital Identity: Establishing the iF Design Standard
iF Design sets the standard in design. Consequently, the bar is set high for its own digital presence. Branding, colors, typography, and a dedicated domain had to be just right from the start, serving as the foundation for a digital experience that is intended to evolve consistently over time into the Academy’s full design vision.
3
Modular Program and Cohort Logic
The instructional design concept is based on short, effective modules and fixed cohorts. The platform had to flexibly support this approach: individual courses as well as multi-stage learning journeys, with each cohort having its own dynamics and its own community.
4
Blended Learning: Live Sessions Meet Self-Study
The courses combine live sessions with leading experts, peer-to-peer exchanges, and self-directed learning. These formats had to be organized into clear learning paths that guide participants step by step and confidently through the program.
5
Automated Enrollment and Administration
A growing range of courses and participants from all over the world called for an administrative system that could scale from the very beginning. The website and learning platform needed to integrate seamlessly so that registration and enrollment could be handled automatically, allowing the team to focus on the content.
"The course material was really well structured from week to week. The exercises were practical and focused, so I was able to apply what I learned right away. The platform was very useful and well-designed. I was able to find everything I needed there and also get in touch with my classmates and the instructors."
Solution
A global learning ecosystem for design leadership
The relationship between iF Design and MaxBrain is less a client-supplier relationship and more a collaborative effort. The result is a learning ecosystem that embodies the Academy’s vision: accessible worldwide, automated in the background, and featuring a digital identity that evolves step by step.
Strategic Partnership: Implementation Partner Rather Than Software Vendor
MaxBrain supports the Academy not only technologically but also as a strategic partner in its development. Close collaboration, joint prioritization, and continuous improvement are at the very heart of this partnership.
Global availability
One platform for your global community
The platform is accessible worldwide through a globally distributed infrastructure. Participants from 25 countries—with the largest numbers currently coming from Germany, the U.S., and Brazil—can access their courses, cohorts, and certificates from anywhere.
Automation
Enrollment and administration on autopilot
A powerful interface connects the marketing website and the learning platform directly. Interested users sign up, and enrollment in the appropriate course takes place fully automatically without any disruption to the system. This same automation supports day-to-day operations: workflows handle recurring administrative tasks. The Academy grows, while the workload decreases.
Blended Learning & Cohort Design
Endless modularity
Program and cohort logic support both short modules and multi-stage learning journeys. Live sessions, peer exchanges, and self-study are interwoven and can be freely combined into new courses as quickly as the Academy wants to cover new topics.
Benefit
Return on Learning
iF DESIGN ACADEMY Challenge
Expectations of the Brand
Launch a new educational program online with the design standards of iF Design.
Global Vision
A global audience spanning continents and time zones.
Scalable Administration
An expanding range of courses without any additional manual effort.
Solution
MaxBrain
Creative Foundation
Branding, colors, typography, and the domain name as the foundation for further development.
Strategic Partnership
Collaborative development rather than simply supplying software.
Website API & Automated Workflows
Fully automated enrollment and administration.
Benefits
High Satisfaction
91% participant satisfaction across all courses.
Global Reach
Design leadership accessible worldwide, anytime, anywhere.
Scalable Growth
Modular structure, more courses, less effort.
iF DESIGN ACADEMY
Design Leadership for a Global Community
The iF DESIGN ACADEMY is iF Design’s global learning hub. For over 70 years, iF Design has been one of the most prestigious institutions in the international design world and organizes the iF DESIGN AWARD, which receives nearly 11,000 submissions annually from over 60 countries. Through expert-led live courses, the Academy empowers design leaders, teams, and organizations worldwide to lead with creativity, strategy, and purpose. Supported by the nonprofit iF Design Foundation, it combines professional development with a global community of the brightest minds in design.
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We're moving forward
We're moving forward