What tools do they use in Senior?

In Senior they use GIMP for advanced raster illustration, Inkscape for branding and vectors, Krita for digital illustration, Blender or Tinkercad Pro for advanced 3D modeling, and Wick Editor for 2D animation and motion graphics. All of these tools are professional and completely free, so there are no software fees to worry about. Your teen learns the same kinds of programs used in real design studios.

Is the portfolio good for CENTRO or UAM admissions?

Yes, that's the main goal of the Senior level. The curriculum is designed exactly to cover what's evaluated in admissions to UAM-Xochimilco, CENTRO, La Esmeralda, Anahuac, and other top design schools in Mexico. It builds the variety, technical level, and personal style that admissions panels look for. Each finished piece adds to a portfolio meant to stand up to that review, so your teen arrives prepared rather than improvising.

Can they start freelancing in Senior?

Yes. At 16–17 your teen has enough professional pieces to take on real paid work, such as logos for small businesses, posters, visual identity for shops, and social media content. The teacher helps with putting together proposals and setting pricing, so the freelance step feels guided rather than overwhelming. The portfolio built across the modules is exactly what makes this possible at that age.

Do they need a graphic tablet?

No, a graphic tablet isn't required. A laptop or computer with internet is all your teen really needs to start. A basic graphic tablet ($1,500–2,500 MXN) helps a lot for illustration, but it's optional and can come later. If you do want one, Diego can recommend a model that fits your budget, so you don't overspend on features your teen won't use yet.

How are the classes formatted?

Classes are live online with a real teacher. There are two formats to choose from: one-on-one of 60 minutes (1–3 times per week) or a mini-group of 4 students for 90 minutes (once per week). Your teen keeps the same teacher throughout the course, which builds a consistent relationship and steady feedback. You can pick the format that best fits your teen's pace and your schedule.

Can I pause the course if we travel?

Yes. You can pause the course for up to 3 months without losing your spot or your paid classes, so travel won't cost you progress. Cancellation is free as long as it's at least 24 hours before class, and you get a full refund for any classes you haven't taken yet. The idea is that life happens, and your teen can pick up right where they left off when you return.

Which level if my child is younger?

If your child is younger, the design path starts at ages 6–8 (a module within Digital Literacy) and continues in Junior Design 9–12. Senior 13–17 is the most advanced level, focused on the portfolio for university admission. The free trial class helps place them at the right level.

Algonova is an international school with 600K+ graduates across 90+ countries and over 10 years of experience, rated 4.9★ by families. Classes are live with real teachers, the same teacher throughout the course, and your teen finishes with their own professional portfolio — not just theory.

Illustration + Identity + 3D + Pro animation · Ages 13–17

Digital Design Senior Ages 13 to 17

For teens who already draw or have basic design experience. They go deep into advanced illustration, visual identity (branding), pro 3D modeling and animation. 10 modules + final project — university- or freelance-ready portfolio.

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+600K

graduates worldwide

90+

countries

10+ years

of experience

4.9

parent rating

For parents who wonder

Graphic design at 13–17? — Honest answer

It's not a hobby

At this age

At 13–17, design builds a real portfolio, first freelance income, and the foundation for admission to creative careers. It's serious work with visible results.

No Adobe, studio-level

GIMP · Inkscape · Krita · Blender

The same tools professional designers use in Mexican agencies. No licenses, no monthly fees — the level comes from the student, not the software.

A portfolio that opens doors

For university and work

UAM, CENTRO, and La Esmeralda require a portfolio for admission. Your teen builds it here, piece by piece, ready to show.

Senior 13–17 curriculum

Digital Design Senior — professional portfolio in 2 years

Program structure

Digital Graphic Design Senior

Advanced editorial illustration
Visual identity & branding
Pro 3D modeling
Animation & motion graphics
Integrated final project

10 modules + final project · ≈2 years

For teens with a foundation in digital design. By graduation, your teen has a professional portfolio of 10–12 pieces — ready for admission to UAM-Xochimilco, CENTRO, La Esmeralda, Anahuac, or first freelance work.

Book a Free Class

What they learn in Senior

3 depth areas in Senior

10 progressive modules cover editorial illustration, professional branding, advanced 3D, and animation. Each module ends with a portfolio-grade piece.

Advanced editorial illustration

Pro digital techniques in GIMP and Krita: anatomy, editorial composition, advanced color, visual styles. Your teen develops a recognizable personal style — from character illustration to editorial covers.

Visual identity + Pro 3D

Full branding in Inkscape: logos, typographic systems, palettes, brand books. Advanced 3D modeling in Blender or Tinkercad Pro: characters, environments, basic 3D animation.

Pro animation + Final project

2D animation and motion graphics. Integrated final project combining 3–4 disciplines: full visual identity with brand book + 30s short + illustration series — a portfolio piece worthy of admissions.

What Senior unlocks

Senior builds the portfolio that opens doors

Diego Salinas · Art director · La Esmeralda

Portfolio ready for UAM, CENTRO, La Esmeralda

Mexico's top design schools require a portfolio for admission. 10 modules + final project are designed exactly to cover what they evaluate at entry — serious pieces, variety, and a personal style.

First freelance income from age 16

At 16–17 your teen can take real paid work — logo design for small businesses, posters, social media graphics. First own income + real work experience.

Same professional teacher all course long

Your teen works with a working designer (not a student) throughout the entire Senior pathway. Continuity builds personal style and real creative confidence.

Pro tools — no Adobe

GIMP + Inkscape + Krita + Blender + Wick Editor. The same tools used by professional Mexican designers in agencies and studios — free, no licenses, no monthly fees.

Algonova Teaching Team

Teachers Who Guide Every Student

Design Class · Algonova teacher & student

Renata works with a working designer and is already building her portfolio for university admission. She went from drawing as a hobby to having her own visual identity and animations.

Renata's mom

Senior Design student's mom · CDMX

Leonardo Cárdenas

4.9

Neftalí Cázares

5.0

Aimée Pineda

4.9

Harold Cruz

5.0

Sofía Ramos

4.8

Carlos Vega

5.0

Valeria Morales

4.9

Andrés Gutiérrez

5.0

How to start

How Senior begins

No card, no commitment. Your teen decides after the free class with a real designer.

1. Book in 1 minute

Teen's name, age, and Instagram/WhatsApp. No card. We confirm by WhatsApp in under an hour.

2. Free class with Diego (60 min)

A working designer assesses your teen's current level and together they build a serious project. Not onboarding — real work.

3. Personalized pathway

Design university, early freelance, personal brand — we pick the modules based on your teen's goal and emerging style.

4. Professional portfolio at graduation

After 10 modules, your teen has a full portfolio of 10–12 pieces — ready for admissions, freelance clients, or first agency work.

Book a Free Class

Free 60-min class · With a working designer

What parents say

Senior results — real portfolios, real admissions

Sebastián wants to study graphic design at CENTRO. The Algonova teacher is already building his admission portfolio with serious work — full branding, editorial illustration, animation. We're on track.

Patricia Lara

Sebastián's mom, 15 · Monterrey

Andrea has been in Senior 1.5 years. At 16 she already has 8 professional pieces on GitHub/Behance — a full visual identity, editorial illustrations, an animated short. Started getting paid to design logos for family friends.

Carlos Restrepo

Andrea's dad, 16 · Mexico City

Daniel finished Senior at 17 and got into UAM-Xochimilco's Graphic Communication Design with his Algonova portfolio. The admissions committee praised the variety and technical level. Mission accomplished.

Lorena Vázquez

Daniel's mom, 17 · Guadalajara

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Senior Design 13–17

Does my teen need prior design experience?

Ideally yes, but it's not required. The free trial class with Diego assesses your teen's current level so we can place them correctly. If your teen already draws or has equivalent experience, they can start directly in Senior. If not, we recommend starting in Junior first to build the foundations. Either way, the placement happens during that first free class, so there's no risk of starting in the wrong level.

How long is the Senior level?

The Senior level runs 10 modules plus an integrated final project, about 2 years with one class per week. Each module ends with a finished piece, so progress is always tangible. By graduation your teen has a portfolio of 10–12 professional pieces ready to show. The structure builds steadily from one module to the next, and every module closes with a completed project.

Learn more about graphic design for kids

Why Should Kids Learn Graphic Design? Benefits and When to Start

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How to Teach Graphic Design to a Child: A Parent's Guide from Scratch

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Graphic Design for Kids Without Adobe: The Best Free Tools (GIMP, Inkscape, Tinkercad)

Design Education9 min read

Senior Design · 60 minutes · No card

Build their design university portfolio. Free.

Free class with a working designer. Your teen tries the real level and walks away with a portfolio piece.

Book Free Trial