Upcoming Start dates in June & July →

The DIY branding program for non-designers

Build your own signature brand identity you'll finally want  to market yourself with

This summer, replace the template-made vibes (which never feel quite right) with an original brand aesthetic that proves you know what you're doing.

If you've been trying to DIY your own graphics, but asking yourself...

... this program is for you.

Why does this look so disjointed, and not cohesive?

What even is my brand? This just doesn't feel like me.

How do I narrow fonts down, when I love so many?!

What will make my home page feel less... basic?

Where do I even start with my planning my brand photoshoot?

How do I make these colors actually go together?

Even if you're not a designer.

And it's not just a matter of saving money... maybe you enjoy being creative and resourceful with your own visuals—and that should be encouraged, not shamed. With Canva this accessible, it’s fun to explore the creative process yourself.

But if you feel scattered and unsatisfied with your visuals and your ideas don’t quite click, it's time to explore new creative-thinking skills and collaborative support. The Brand Ed process will help you make aligned, confident decisions so that you're well-represented by a brand you're fully bought into.


In Brand Ed, your DIY branding can look pro.

In brand ed, you will:

Build unique brand elements with expert support (logos, colors, fonts, graphics, etc) that transcend trends

Sharpen Canva skills for current and future marketing assets, so you don't have to depend on outsourcing

Learn expert frameworks for confidently making unified creative decisions without second-guessing

Think like a confident Creative Director of your business whenever a brand decision needs to be made

Communicate the strengths you uniquely offer (and be affirmed by them in the process)

Design your graphics like a designer would do it, so your content is visually easier to consume

teach me your ways

Fun Fact:

To prove what's possible, no Adobe pro tools were used to make the branding on this page. Canva and DIY tools only  🤓

No design skills required!

DIY branding & Done-with-you Mentorship for non-designers

Turning DIY-ers into self-sufficient brand-builders through a guided mentorship program

You’ll explore the entire creative process—from identity, to aesthetic, to implementation—to strategically build a brand ecosystem to get recgnized by.

Inside the Homeroom Slack support, you get access to 10 weeks of 1:1 private chat DMs, where we collaborate on creative design ideas in detailed message threads, voice notes, loom video demonstrations, and optional group calls.

And since there are no access limits on course lessons, you can keep revisiting the DIY branding course curriculum down the road as your graphic needs evolve, saving thousands doing it yourself.

count me in 🤓

These students are not designers...

yep, you heard that right.

no design skills required.

This process is intended to spark creativity in new ways, whether or not you have pre-existing creative skills. Generally, students who take this course are familiar with using Canva, are not designers, and enjoy exploring their own creativity outside their day-to-day work.

ok, sign me up

What you get in the done-with-you experience:

20 lessons + bonus videos showing you how to DIY your brand elements that look like a pro did it, using accessible tools like Canva

Lifetime Access to course lessons, updates, bonus videos, and content for as long as the course is running

My signature branding process streamlined for non-designers to create aligned visual elements and a comprehensive Brand Guide

Accelerate the process with my original Canva templates, Notion workbook, and other resources to immediately take action on

Implementation how-to's so you can seamlessly incorporate your branding into social media graphics, webpages, and other layouts

10 weeks of access to 1:1 feedback, 
private chat support, & collaborating with Kristina, plus community chat & optional Study Hall calls

Inside Homeroom!

Join brand ed

Getting compliments from pros...

"The number of designers who have complimented how well my brand is done, and said they'd never known it was DIY!"

Maddy Aucoin

website copywriter

see full case study

2 ways to build your own brand:

Brand Ed "Homeroom"

enroll here

Self-Study

Learn the process and build independently

enroll here

the DIY COUrse

$775

Just the course:

Create, collaborate, and refine your DIY branding & designs with a pro

Along with lifetime access to the course curriculum to learn the DIY branding process, you have 10 spacious weeks to get 1:1 feedback, collaboration, and creative ideas from Kristina (like having a brand tutor)—plus a community chat and optional bi-weekly Study Hall calls that accommodate different time zones.

Response time is Tuesday - Thursday. You're free to take your time and pop in as needed during your 10 weeks of support access!

the full done-with-you experience

For hyper-independent DIY-ers who'd rather explore the course on your own. You can also upgrade into Homeroom later! Self-Studiers still get lifetime access to the course curriculum and process, just self-led on your own time. Always open. 

3 payments of $495

pricing & Start dates:

June Start: Week of June 15th
July Start: Week of July 6th

Or 2 payments of $395

Want to stay in the loop as I announce future Homeroom Start dates?

Get on the Brand Ed Interest List

Lessons are concise, potent, and easy to act on.

No long lectures. 

Since the trainings are immediately accessible, you can do the lesson homework as you go, or watch through a whole module first, then apply. Each lesson has original step-by-step frameworks, lots of examples, and relevant activities that support multiple learning styles.

Templates & resources are provided along the way to get you over the hump of getting started. You'll come away with: a completed Brand Guide, logos, colors, fonts, decorative elements, social graphics, photoshoot plans, webpage design essentials, and creative direction skills for ongoing brand-building.

join class of 2026 🤓

course outline:

Uncover the Creative Direction that anchors your brand identity
Total watch time: 1.75 hrs

1. Brand Psychology 101
2. Self-Discovery Session
3. Brand Research Surveys
4. Understand your Customer
5. Distinguish from Peers
6. Emotional Impression
7. Personality & Themes
8. Inspiration Board/Aesthetic

2. Create

Build your brand elements, based on your Phase 1 Creative Direction
Total watch time: 1.5 hrs

3. Implement

Apply your elements into an on-brand digital presence
Total watch time: 1.5 hrs

15. Designing Graphics
16. Webpage Essentials
17. Exporting Brand Files
18. Canva Brand Kit
19. Socials & Customer Journey
20. Brand-Building: A Way of Life

1. Discover

Plus bonus lessons:

9. Color Palette
10. Brand Messaging
11. Font Family
12. Logo & Submark
13. Brand Photoshoot Plans
14. On-Brand Imagery

Such as: How I Made the Brand Ed Branding, Vectorizing Elements with Affinity, Brand Reveal Graphics, and extra brand conceptual examples

preview the course portal

Enroll now 🤓

Developing a deeper brand connection

"Honestly, the course would have been worth investing in just for the Discovery phase alone. I genuinely discovered so much about myself and how I connect to my work"

fran rescigno

Client experience architect

see full case study

DIY-ers turned creative directors:

I'm Kristina! 

creative brand designer & Diy educator

AKA, the Brand Tutor showing DIY-ers what they're capable of

After 10+ years doing custom design, I can’t deny that there’s a whole group of brilliant business owners who want a different kind of support. I built this program to bridge the gap between DIY and custom, and simplified the process for non-designers to implement with ease.

With the DIY tools you’re probably already using (like Canva, a smart phone, and user-friendly apps), this DIY branding course will maximize your brand’s ecosystem to bring unique impact & identity to light!

I need a brand tutor 🤓

Fun Fact:

While getting my Visual Design BFA degree, I tutored math, earth science, and philosophy! 🤓 Nerd is my middle name.

Boosting confidence in credibility

"It’s a huge confidence boost for me because I feel my branding complements the expertise I share in my content, helping me come across as more legitimate."

alexa Phillips

content & media strategist

Brand Ed is right for...

Small business owners with a service-based business or personal brand that you want to feel more like you in

If you're kinda familiar with Canva, but it is taking way too long to make decisions with pure guesswork

If you made a lot of investments recently and can't justify hiring a brand designer, but still want to prioritize your brand

You're genuinely curious about the skills that can make you more independent in your business

Sign me up!

It is NOT right for...

Not made for corporate or faceless businesses with no personal connection to the brand or founder

Not for learning how to create branding with Adobe pro design tools. This course is designed for non-designers, using accessible tools like Canva

Not for you if the idea of learning these DIY skills just doesn't peak your curiosity and you'd rather pay someone else to do it. Check out my signature service instead!

faqs

ANy other questions:

Send Kristina a DM on Instagram or email  hello@gemcreative.co!

How do I decide between Homeroom or Self-Study? +

If you're a learner who loves feedback and positive reinforcement so you know you're doing a good job at new skills, Homeroom is the done-with-you experience you need. With direct access to expert creative support and collaboration, I help bring out the potential you might not see on your own, and keep you unstuck. The 1:1 private Slack messaging includes highly personalized feedback, without needing to share or keep up with a wider group (unless you choose to share during a study hall call or community chat.)

Self-Study is just the course without support, for the independent DIY-ers who want to walk through my signature branding process solo. If you’re intimidated by inviting other opinions in, or if you already have some skilled experience, this can be a good place to start. But if you're struggling to make it happen on your own time, you’ll have the option to upgrade into Homeroom later!

What if I'm not that creative? +

You’re more creative thank you think. This process is intended to spark creativity in new ways, whether or not you have pre-existing creative design skills. Generally, students who take this course have minimal Canva experience, are not designers, and enjoy exploring their own creativity outside their industry. You'd be surprised at what you're capable of, with the right frameworks and guidance!

Can I start the course early, before Homeroom starts? +

Yes—you get immediate access to the course when you sign up, and can get started right away if preferred. Then, your access to Homeroom support starts the week of your selected start date (which wraps up 10 weeks later). Currently Homeroom is open, as long as spots are available on your preferred start date.

After your 10 weeks in Homeroom Slack are complete, you’ll still retain access to the course curriculum. Plus, you’re welcome to return to Homeroom for more brand & design projects at a special alumni-only price!

What if I miss a week of Homeroom? +

Not a problem at all! Since this is common for busy business owners, the live Homeroom support time spans over 10 spacious weeks with room to pace the content out and take a break if needed. Since everyone learns the process and explores creativity in their own ways, students move at different paces in Homeroom. No need to “keep up!” Plus, sometimes our own business work weeks are heavier or lighter than others. It’s totally okay to pop in and out as needed!

Most feedback happens asynchronously in Slack. Study Hall Calls are optional, for students who like live support. They will be scheduled bi-weekly at varying times to accommodate different time zones.

How long do I have access to the course? +

There is no limit to accessing course lessons, plus any future lesson updates I may make! For the lifetime of the course as long as I'm running it, all the curriculum accessible to students. So you can keep revisiting for future projects, and get all lesson updates. (The only exception is the Homeroom Slack support, which lasts 10 weeks with clear start and end dates.)

How much time does the process take? +

The 20 lessons are concise and potent, around 5.5 hours of total watch time, removing fluff and getting straight to the point—plus a few extra bonus lessons. The execution time of the course material varies. Some students like taking their time, others prefer to move through it faster when the inspiration hits. Homeroom students get 10 spacious weeks to pace it all out as needed. For Self-Studiers, I recommend giving the 3 phases at least a few weeks each. The homework is immediately actionable with frameworks and templates.

Is AI part of the process? +

No need to use AI at all! I created these strategic frameworks to develop your OWN creative-thinking skills. It's up to the student whether or not you want to use AI for anything in addition to the frameworks taught in this course, but I honestly find that students often end up better off in their outcomes when relying on themselves and my support — and NOT relying on AI.

That said, the AI conversation has shifted quite a bit since I first recorded some of the lessons in this course. There are few moments where I mentioned optional ways to use AI, if some students found it supportive. As of today (May 2026), I am currently working on reframing the conversation, and emphasizing the importance of using discretion if students choose to use it. It's important to do our own research to determine what we feel comfortable engaging with.

Can designers join Brand Ed? +

Even though Brand Ed is intended for non-designers using Canva, designers can join if you’re struggling with coming up with your own business brand identity. The frameworks can apply universally to a designer’s business branding too, even if you use Adobe tools instead.

Anything you learn can inform your own perspectives & process when you work with clients, in your own way, as long as the trainings & frameworks aren't sold as or claimed as your own. Redistribution of the templates, slides, trainings, and frameworks, etc is strictly prohibited and a breach of copyright.

Are these your typical student results? +

Yes, students who are engaged in the process start to finish are consistently pleased with their results. Most are from the live Brand Ed Homeroom program, which includes access to Slack support and individual feedback from me. My live cohorts are small so I can stay invested in each student's success!

Can I trademark a logo made in Canva? +

To debunk a common misconception about Canva, yes you can trademark a logo as long as it's purely using the basic shapes, lines, and fonts available—not the pre-made templates, elements, or stickers. I'll show you ways to create these logos in the Brand Ed course. Read more about their policies on Canva's website here!

Can alumni come back for more kinds of support? +

Yes! I’ve got spots available in each start date for returning alumni Homeroom students, at a discounted alumni-only price. Examples of what students have come back for include: DIY-ing your website, sub-brands building off of your main branding, lessons you didn’t fully finish in the first round of Brand Ed, etc. Any visual marketing designs & graphics you have are welcome to run by me for feedback & creative ideas in Homeroom.

build your brand in 

Become the Creative Director of your business with a DIY brand you're proud of 🤓

You'd be surprised by what you're capable of. Brand Ed will expand your brand's creative potential to set you apart and represent you more fully. Gone are the days DIY branding is put to shame—and honestly, you're probably someone who enjoys having a creative say in it, anyway. You in?

Enroll now