Marcus Tan
Senior Design Instructor at DesignHub Academy Pte Ltd
14 years building digital products. Now teaching the next generation how to design with intention.
Get in TouchFrom UX Designer to Design Leader
Marcus discovered his passion for user experience design while studying Computer Science at NUS, where a collaborative project with the National Design Centre sparked something that’s stayed with him ever since. Thing is, he realized pretty early on that the best designs aren’t just beautiful — they solve real problems for real people.
Over the next decade, he progressed from junior UX designer to lead design strategist at several prominent Singapore-based tech companies. He’s worked on projects that served millions of users across the Asia-Pacific region, spanning fintech, e-commerce, and SaaS platforms. That’s 80+ digital products, countless user interviews, and more prototypes than he can count.
But here’s what actually matters: Marcus recognized a gap in quality design education in Singapore. When he joined DesignHub Academy in 2019, he didn’t just want to teach design techniques — he wanted to equip the next generation with real-world skills that companies actually need. His courses aren’t theoretical. They’re built on lessons learned from shipping products that millions use every day.
He’s particularly focused on helping designers understand the full journey: from user research and wireframing through high-fidelity prototyping and design systems. His teaching philosophy is straightforward — designers learn best by solving authentic problems with proper mentorship and honest feedback.
Education & Professional Background
Computer Science Degree
National University of Singapore (NUS)
Specialization in Human-Computer Interaction
Advanced Design Studies
Singapore Institute of Technology
Design Thinking & Strategic Innovation
14 Years Industry Experience
80+ Digital Products
Fintech, E-commerce, SaaS sectors across Asia-Pacific
Conference Speaker
Regional Design Events
Regular speaker at design conferences across Southeast Asia
Published Work
Design Publications
Featured in regional design publications and industry journals
Educator Since 2019
DesignHub Academy Pte Ltd
Course Developer & Senior Design Instructor
Core Areas of Expertise
Practical skills built from real-world experience
UI/UX Design Fundamentals
User research methodologies, wireframing, and prototyping techniques. We don’t skip the research phase — that’s where good design actually starts.
Interactive Prototyping
Building functional prototypes that demonstrate user flows and interactions. You’ll learn tools like Figma, but more importantly, you’ll understand why each decision matters.
Design Systems
Creating scalable, maintainable design systems that teams actually use. Real companies need consistency. We’ll show you how to build it.
Design Strategy
Translating business goals into design decisions. We’ll cover user flows, information architecture, and how to align design with product strategy.
User Research Methods
Conducting effective user interviews, creating personas, and using research to validate design decisions. Data-informed design starts here.
Design & Development Handoff
Building better collaboration between designers and engineers. Specifications, component documentation, and communication that actually works.
Why Marcus Teaches Design
“Good design isn’t about how it looks. It’s about solving problems in a way that makes people’s lives better. If you understand that, everything else follows.”
Marcus doesn’t believe in theoretical design education. He’s seen what happens when designers graduate without practical skills — they struggle in their first real job, and companies waste time getting them up to speed. That’s a waste of everyone’s time.
His courses are built on authenticity. Every example comes from real projects. Every technique has been tested in production. He’ll tell you when something works and when it doesn’t, because he’s lived through both.
What he really wants? To help designers develop judgment. The ability to look at a design and understand why it works or doesn’t work. That’s what separates junior designers from the people who get hired at good companies and stay there.
Years in Digital Design
Digital Products Designed
Users Across Products
Teaching & Mentoring
Featured Articles & Guides
Marcus regularly writes about design practices and prototyping techniques
Getting Started with Figma: From Zero to First Design
A practical guide to setting up your first design project and creating your first components in Figma.
Wireframing Techniques That Actually Improve Your Design Process
Learn wireframing methods that help you think clearly before you design, saving time and improving outcomes.
Building Interactive Prototypes: Animation & Transitions Explained
Master animation principles and transitions that bring your designs to life and improve user experience.
Creating a Design System That Your Team Will Actually Use
Build design systems that teams adopt, maintain, and scale — with real examples from production environments.
Work Together
Whether you’re looking to improve your design skills or need guidance on a project, Marcus is here to help.
Get in touch through our contact page. Let’s discuss your design goals, challenges, or questions about courses and mentoring.
Send a MessageOrganization
DesignHub Academy Pte Ltd
Location
One-North Tech District, Singapore
Specialization
Web Design & UI/UX Prototyping