UPPERSTUDY • 2021-2022
UPPERSTUDY • 2021-2022

UPPERSTUDY • 2021-2022

Designing MVPs for early-stage startups and turning ideas into products

Designing MVPs for early-stage startups and turning ideas into products

Context
Context

Context

Upperstudy is a design apprenticeship led by Adam Michaela and Josh Puckett, former Design Director of Airbnb and Principal Designer of Wealthfront, that partners designers with early-stage startups to help define and build their products.

During my time here, I worked closely with founders and cross-functional teams as the primary design support. I contributing to the creation of websites, mobile apps, and brand assets while sharpening my core design skills through hands-on experience.

Upperstudy is a design apprenticeship led by Adam Michaela and Josh Puckett, former Design Director of Airbnb and Principal Designer of Wealthfront, that partners designers with early-stage startups to help define and build their products.

During my time here, I worked closely with founders and cross-functional teams as the primary design support. I contributing to the creation of websites, mobile apps, and brand assets while sharpening my core design skills through hands-on experience.

Upperstudy is design apprenticeship led by Adam Michaela and Josh Puckett, former Design Director of Airbnb and Principal Designer of Wealthfront, that partners designers with early-stage startups to help define and build their products.

I worked closely with founders and their interdisciplinary teams to establish scalable design practices and craft innovative software.

Projects
Projects
Role
Role

Role

As a Product Design Apprentice, I collaborated with a Design Lead to craft user experiences and interfaces that enabled my clients to stand out in competitive markets.

My main focus was on execution, where I developed a structured, flexible design process to guide my work. I took ownership of defining design requirements and delivered key assets; including user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes, creating intuitive user journeys and innovative design solutions.


Working under a design agency allowed me to engage with a diverse range of projects, from developing new product features to reimagining brands. My contributions played a key role in reducing clients' time-to-market by 60%, giving startups a significant competitive advantage in achieving product-market fit.


I also actively engaged in peer critiques to provide constructive feedback and collaborating closely with fellow apprentices. I conducted competitive research, refined designs through iteration, and facilitated A/B testing to ensure my design work delivered optimal results.


Notable partner companies include Remix, Made Renovation, Texino, BestPracticer, and Vanta.

I was eventually converted into a full-time role with a client, where I joined as Founding Product Designer in March 2022.

As a Product Design Apprentice, I collaborated with a Design Lead to craft user experiences and interfaces that enabled my clients to stand out in competitive markets.

My main focus was on execution, where I developed a structured, flexible design process to guide my work. I took ownership of defining design requirements and delivered key assets; including user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes, creating intuitive user journeys and innovative design solutions.

Working under a design agency allowed me to engage with a diverse range of projects, from developing new product features to reimagining brands. My contributions played a key role in reducing clients' time-to-market by 60%, giving startups a significant competitive advantage in achieving product-market fit.

I also actively engaged in peer critiques to provide constructive feedback and collaborating closely with fellow apprentices. I conducted competitive research, refined designs through iteration, and facilitated A/B testing to ensure my design work delivered optimal results.

Notable partner companies include Remix, Made Renovation, Texino, BestPracticer, and Vanta.

I was eventually converted into a full-time role with a client, where I joined as Founding Product Designer in March 2022.

As a Product Design Apprentice, I collaborated with a Design Lead to craft user experiences and interfaces that enabled my clients to stand out in competitive markets.

My main focus was on execution, where I developed a structured, flexible design process to guide my work. I took ownership of defining design requirements and delivered key assets; including user flows, wireframes, high-fidelity mockups, and interactive prototypes, creating intuitive user journeys and innovative design solutions.

Working under a design agency allowed me to engage with a diverse range of projects, from developing new product features to reimagining brands. My contributions played a key role in reducing clients' time-to-market by 60%, giving startups a significant competitive advantage in achieving product-market fit.

I also actively engaged in peer critiques to provide constructive feedback and collaborating closely with fellow apprentices. I conducted competitive research, refined designs through iteration, and facilitated A/B testing to ensure my design work delivered optimal results.

Notable partner companies include Remix, Made Renovation, Texino, BestPracticer, and Vanta.

I was eventually converted into a full-time role with a client, where I joined as Founding Product Designer in March 2022.

Interested in collaborating? I'm available to chat!
Please reach me at itimmypham@gmail.com

Interested in collaborating? I'm available to chat!
Please reach me at itimmypham@gmail.com

Interested in collaborating? I'm available for work! ❃
Send me a message at itimmypham@gmail.com ++++

© 2025 Tim Pham · All rights reserved.

© 2025 Tim Pham · All rights reserved.

© 2025 Tim Pham · All rights reserved.