The advice isn't wrong—it's just incomplete. Career coaching and community for designers who need more than 'just network' and 'build a great portfolio.'
Next event: January 16, 2026
Small group conversations about the real challenges of building a design career. No pitches, no fluff—just honest dialogue with people who get it.
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The design industry teaches solid fundamentals, but applies them as blanket advice that assumes everyone has the same advantages. That's not your reality. We teach what works, then help you apply it to YOUR situation—because the advice isn't wrong, it's just incomplete.
Real talk over toxic positivity. We don't gaslight you about your struggles or pretend systemic barriers don't exist. We acknowledge when things are hard—then help you find practical ways to navigate them anyway.
We build relationships before asking for money. Free sessions aren't sales pitches in disguise—they're genuine opportunities to connect and support each other. Some things are just about showing up for each other.
Done is better than perfect. Your portfolio doesn't need to be flawless before you start applying. We celebrate small wins, normalize iteration, and encourage action—because that's how real careers are built.
Get personalized guidance for your specific situation—your barriers, your advantages, your reality.
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Connect with other designers navigating non-traditional paths. Share wins, ask questions, and find your people.
Join our DiscordFounder & Coach
I'm Andrew, a product design manager based in San Francisco, California. I've spent my career navigating an industry that loves blanket advice—'just network,' 'build a great portfolio,' 'be confident'—as if everyone starts from the same place.
I didn't. I was raised by immigrant, middle-class parents who taught me never to be wrong and never to speak up. I had to unlearn a lot to get where I am. And along the way, I realized the advice I was getting wasn't wrong—it was just incomplete. It didn't account for my context.
Honest Club exists for designers who feel like edge cases: career changers, self-taught folks, people who don't see themselves in the typical success stories. I teach fundamentals that actually work, then help you figure out how to apply them to your reality.