The Amazing Interview with Preetam Saikia, the CMO & Co Founder of The Designer’s Class.

Introduction about the CMO & Co FoundeR of The Designer’s Class.

The company’s founders come from diverse backgrounds, Samarth Bajaj graduated from University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business and is a serial entrepreneur having businesses in real estate, entertainment and jewellery. Aadesh Nahar took over his family’s jewellery business at the age of 21 and has carved out a niche for himself in the jewellery industry by carving out four brand verticals. Vishal Bajaj is a graduate from the Soka University of America and is currently based out of Canada. He is the data guy in the business. Preetam Saikia an alumnus of IIM Calcutta is a marketing professional and serial entrepreneur who has successfully launched 3 start-ups in the field of education, entertainment and agriculture.

The Designer’s Class’ Introduction.

The Designer’s Class (TDC) is an online platform based in Hyderabad that aims to establish itself as a leading player in the competitive edtech space by offering a comprehensive range of design-focused courses. Founded in 2020 by Samarth Bajaj, Preetam Saikia, Vishal Bajaj, and Adeesh Nahar, TDC sets itself apart with its expert-curated courses, covering various design disciplines such as fashion, jewellery, interior design, photography, and beauty/makeup.

To access the courses offered by The Designer’s Class, students are required to visit the website at www.thedesignersclass.com. Upon reaching the website, students are prompted to fill in their details in order to browse through the wide range of available courses. Once they have made their selection, the chosen course is added to their cart, where they also have the option to apply any discount codes provided to them by TDC’s counselling experts. After the payment process is completed, students gain access to the course materials for a duration of one year, which includes assignments, workbooks, and assessments to facilitate their learning journey. TDC also provides certification upon course completion and offers internship opportunities to students.

To ensure a smooth user experience, TDC has a team of dedicated counselling experts who maintain constant communication with each student intending to purchase a course. These experts assist students throughout the login and access process, addressing any queries or concerns they may have along the way.

The Idea and Concept.

The idea for The Designer’s Class originated from recognizing the market gap in design education. We observed that design was not being adequately taught in schools, leaving a void in formal design learning. Additionally, they noticed the untapped potential of talented individuals, especially women, who lacked appropriate platforms to receive formal design education and express their skills.

Understanding the importance of design in various aspects of life, The Designer’s Class was conceptualized to make premium design education accessible to all. The founders recognized the need to provide comprehensive and expert-curated courses in various design disciplines such as fashion, jewellery, interior design, photography, and beauty/makeup.

By establishing an online platform, The Designer’s Class eliminates geographical barriers and enables individuals to pursue their passion for design at their own pace and convenience. The inclusion of renowned mentors, such as Masaba Gupta and Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, adds credibility and industry relevance to the courses.

The company’s mission is not only to bridge the gap in design education but also to empower individuals by formalizing their latent design talents. The offering of certification, internship opportunities, live classes, doubt-solving sessions, and personalized support from counselling experts ensures a holistic learning experience for students.

Innovation and unique.

One of TDC’s USP is its prestigious mentors’ club, which features renowned names in the industry such as Masaba Gupta, Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, Gauri Khan, Joseph Radhik, and many others. This association with esteemed mentors adds tremendous value to the learning experience of TDC students.

TDC’s primary objective is to provide holistic design education and opportunities to students. The company offers certification programs, live classes, doubt-solving sessions, and even internship opportunities with established designers. This comprehensive approach ensures that students receive a well-rounded education and gain practical experience in their chosen design field.

Furthermore, TDC recognizes the importance of nurturing design skills at an early age. The startup is committed to bridging this gap by helping children learn design skills from an early stage. Additionally, TDC aims to provide adults who may have missed the opportunity to formalize their latent design talents with access to quality design education and certification.

The Mission and Vision.

From day one, the mission of The Designer’s Class is to democratize design education and make it accessible, affordable, and engaging for everyone. The company aims to bridge the gap in design learning by providing premium quality education across different verticals of design. The vision of The Designer’s Class is to become a global pioneer in design education, offering high-quality courses to diverse audience groups. By focusing on accessibility, affordability, and engagement, The Designer’s Class seeks to empower individuals and provide them with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the design industry.

Products and Services.

The Designer’s Class offers a range of services and products centered around design education. As an online platform specializing in design courses, The Designer’s Class provides expert-curated courses in fashion, jewellery, interior design, photography, and beauty/makeup. These courses are designed to offer comprehensive and industry-relevant knowledge to individuals interested in developing their design skills.

In addition to the courses, The Designer’s Class offers a holistic learning experience. Students who enroll in the courses receive certification upon completion, giving them formal recognition for their acquired skills. The platform also provides internship opportunities, allowing students to gain practical experience and enhance their portfolios.

To support the learning process, The Designer’s Class offers live classes where students can directly learn from renowned mentors and industry experts. Doubt-solving sessions are available to ensure that students can clarify their queries and deepen their understanding of the course material.

The Designer’s Class further differentiates itself by offering personalized support through counselling experts. These experts guide students throughout the login and access process, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free user experience.

The Problem and Solutions?

The current problem in the education sector, specifically in design education, is the lack of accessible and comprehensive platforms that cater to the growing demand for design skills. Traditional educational institutions often overlook design education until college or university level, leaving a gap in formal design learning opportunities. Additionally, talented individuals, especially women, struggle to express their design talents due to a lack of appropriate platforms for receiving formal design education.

The Designer’s Class addresses these challenges by providing a solution that makes premium design education accessible to all. As an online platform specializing in design courses, The Designer’s Class offers a wide range of expert-curated courses in fashion, jewellery, interior design, photography, and beauty/makeup. By leveraging technology, the platform eliminates geographical barriers and allows individuals to learn at their own pace and convenience.

Moreover, The Designer’s Class stands out by offering a holistic learning experience. The platform not only provides course materials but also offers certification, internship opportunities, live classes, doubt-solving sessions, and personalized support from counselling experts. By incorporating renowned mentors such as Masaba Gupta and Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla, The Designer’s Class ensures that students receive industry-relevant insights and guidance from leading professionals.

The Target Audience

The target audience of The Designer’s Class includes individuals interested in design across various disciplines. The online platform offers courses primarily categorized into fashion, jewellery, interior design, photography, and beauty/makeup.

The Success so far, Achievements and Milestones.

The Designer’s Class has achieved notable success and milestones since its establishment. With a focus on design education, the company has positioned itself as a leading online platform offering expert-curated courses in fashion, jewellery, interior design, photography, and beauty/makeup. The inclusion of renowned mentors such as Masaba Gupta and Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla has further enhanced the credibility of the courses. The Designer’s Class has raised $1 million in funding, enabling its growth and development. It has experienced an 18% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) and continues to make a positive impact in the edtech industry. The company’s commitment to holistic education, including certification, internships, live classes, and doubt-solving sessions, has garnered recognition and customer satisfaction. Future plans include expanding course offerings, collaborating with state governments, and introducing new features like live classes and a marketplace for designers.

About The Funding Round.

The Designer’s Class has successfully raised $1 million in funding to date. This funding has provided the company with valuable resources to develop and expand its operations. However, at this point, The Designer’s Class does not have any immediate plans to pursue additional external funding.

The company’s current focus is on reaching a break-even point, where its revenue matches or exceeds its expenses. By prioritizing financial sustainability, The Designer’s Class aims to establish a strong foundation and ensure long-term viability before considering further funding opportunities.