COURSES
Think Better.
Learn something that matters.
Practical courses for creative professionals who want to sharpen their ideas, strengthen their work, and gain more control over their careers.
Welcome to Think Tank.
Think Tank is where Think Smith shares what we've learned, what we're still learning, and what we think is worth knowing. Through courses, workshops, and practical resources, we help creative professionals think more strategically, work more effectively, and build careers on their own terms.
START HERE
It Starts With You
You can't promote yourself until you know yourself. Before you can put your creativity to work, you need to understand what actually drives you. This free course gives you practical exercises to audit your strengths, map your creative edge, and build a career strategy that's uniquely yours.
FEATURED COURSE
Brand Strategy 101
Think Smith is proud to be the new home for Philip VanDusen’s signature course, Brand Strategy 101.
Whether you’re entirely new to strategy or looking to connect the dots in your existing process, BS101 breaks down the end-to-end framework step by step. It’s built to help you move beyond delivering pure tactics and start credibly leading high-value brand strategy projects for your clients.
MORE COURSES
We've got more courses in the works.
Check back from time to time and see what's new.
Got Questions? Good.
Here are some things you might want to know before you dive in.
What kind of courses does Think Smith offer?
We offer field-tested courses, toolkits, and frameworks focused on creative strategy, positioning, and the realities of running a creative business. Every resource is built to help designers and creative professionals move beyond pure execution and run a smarter, high-value business.
Who are these courses for?
If you do creative work for clients or an organization, you're in the right place. Our courses are built for freelancers, studio owners, agency teams, and in-house designers who want to expand their creative thinking, elevate their craft, and get better at what they do.
Are Think Smith courses practical or theoretical?
Practical. Very practical. We believe the best ideas are the ones you can actually put to work. Our courses draw on real world creative and agency experience and give you exercises, tools, and templates you can take straight into your own work.
Are there free courses available?
Yes. We consider It Starts With You almost required reading. It's about knowing yourself before you promote yourself. It's about understanding what drives you, where your strengths lie, and what's actually worth chasing in your career. We've made this course free because we think this is work every creative professional should do.
Do I get instant access after signing up?
Yes. Once you enroll, we'll send you an email with instructions for accessing your course, or you can use the Login button at the top of this page. Already have a Think Tank account? Use your existing login credentials. New to Think Tank? The first time your log in, click Forgot Password to set your password and you're in.
Will Think Smith adding more courses to the Think Tank?
Absolutely. We're just getting started. We're continually developing new courses and resources based on what we're seeing, learning, and doing in the creative industry. Check back from time to time to see what's new, or better yet, sign-up for our newsletter to stay in touch with the latest news and offerings from Think Smith. SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER.
What if I have questions about a course, curriculum, or pricing?
Each course has its own dedicated page with more information about what's included, the curriculum, pricing, and what you'll get from the experience. Just click the button beside the course you're interested in above to explore the full details before you decide.
Meet Your Instructors
Robert Smith
Founder, Think Smith
I'm Rob. Over the past 30+ years, I've worked across corporations, creative studios, and as the founder of two agencies, leading award-winning projects for clients including Warner Bros., DC Comics, and the Royal Canadian Mint. I'm also the chief architect of the Farm Boy brand, a founding member of the RGD, an adjunct professor, and a frequent speaker at events like DesignThinkers.
Beyond the highlights are the same challenges many creatives face—self-doubt, pressure, late nights, and wondering if you truly belong. Today, I focus on coaching, courses, workshops, and practical frameworks that help creative professionals gain clarity, think strategically, and navigate the realities of the industry. I don't just teach design; I share the tools, insights, and approaches I wish I'd had throughout my own career.
Robert Smith
Founder, Think Smith
I'm Rob. Over the past 30+ years, I've worked across corporations, creative studios, and as the founder of two agencies, leading award-winning projects for clients including Warner Bros., DC Comics, and the Royal Canadian Mint. I'm also the chief architect of the Farm Boy brand, a founding member of the RGD, an adjunct professor, and a frequent speaker at events like DesignThinkers.
Beyond the highlights are the same challenges many creatives face—self-doubt, pressure, late nights, and wondering if you truly belong. Today, I focus on coaching, courses, workshops, and practical frameworks that help creative professionals gain clarity, think strategically, and navigate the realities of the industry. I don't just teach design; I share the tools, insights, and approaches I wish I'd had throughout my own career.
Philip VanDusen
Brand Strategy Expert | Creator of Brand Strategy 101
Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant based in New York, USA, who helps entrepreneurs and small-to-medium sized businesses build powerful, profitable brands and businesses.
As a thought leader, Philip shares his expertise in marketing, design and entrepreneurship on YouTube with his 300k+ subscribers, in the Brand-Muse newsletter and on the Brand Design Masters podcast, where he and his accomplished guests share perspectives, resources and methods to help you build bullet-proof businesses and personal brands.
Previously, Philip served as a VP of Design for PepsiCo, VP of Design at Old Navy and Executive Creative Director at the global branding firm Landor Associates. Past clients include P&G, Kraft Foods, Coca-Cola, Merck, Petsmart, Safeway, Chevron, Levi's Strauss & Co., Microsoft, Campbell’s and Johnson & Johnson, among dozens of others.
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