Ready to stop letting life happen to you and start designing it? These five programs offer structured, science-backed ways to align your identity, beliefs, and actions—no fluff, just real tools.
The Life Design Landscape
Life design has moved beyond the Stanford classroom into a full-fledged coaching niche. You'll find everything from academic courses and coach certifications to one-on-one programs and corporate workshops. What unites them is a focus on intentionality—using design thinking, neuroscience, and positive psychology to help you build a life that feels aligned. Whether you're navigating a career pivot, seeking deeper purpose, or just tired of autopilot, these programs offer structured paths forward. The best ones meet you where you are, with clear frameworks and practical exercises you can apply immediately.
How We Evaluated These Programs
We looked at each program's service scope, pricing clarity, and local fit for US-based clients. Service scope covers the range of offerings—from self-guided tools to one-on-one coaching and corporate training. Pricing clarity means how upfront they are about costs and what you get for your money. Local fit considers whether the program is accessible and relevant to a US audience, including time zones, language, and cultural context. We also weighed the depth of the methodology and how actionable the tools are for real-life change.
Here's a quick snapshot of each program to help you compare at a glance.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Stanford Life Design Lab | Academic rigor and foundational methodology |
| Life Design for Intentional Living | Kat Van Dijk | Structured, neuroscience-based personal transformation |
| Designing Your Life | Coach certification and finding vetted practitioners |
| Anne-Marie Brest | Personalized, book-based coaching with a supportive guide |
| Lumia Coaching | Aspiring coaches and curious learners |
The Programs, Explored
#1 Stanford Life Design Lab
A screenshot of the Stanford Life Design Lab website.
The origin of life design, Stanford Life Design Lab offers courses like Designing Your Life and Designing Your Professional, plus virtual and in-person studios. You get access to research-backed frameworks and a community of educators and practitioners. It's ideal if you want the academic rigor and credibility of Stanford without a full degree. The lab also trains facilitators and provides resources for universities, so you can learn from the source. If you're looking for a deep, structured education in life design, this is your starting point.
#2 Life Design for Intentional Living | Kat Van Dijk
A screenshot of the Life Design for Intentional Living | Kat Van Dijk website.
Kat Van Dijk brings a neuroscience-based, identity-first approach with her LIFE Design Method™, a three-stage system that helps you align your identity, beliefs, and behavior. You can start with a free LIFE Diagnostic Test™ to see how aligned you are right now, then choose from 1:1 sessions, workshops, retreats, or self-guided packages. Her method is grounded in positive psychology and somatic tools, so it's practical and body-aware, not just heady. She also offers corporate wellbeing programs, making it a versatile choice for individuals and teams. If you want a structured, science-backed path to intentional living, this is a standout.
#3 Designing Your Life
A screenshot of the Designing Your Life website.
This is the official home of Bill Burnett and Dave Evans' Designing Your Life methodology, offering coach certifications and workshop provider training. You can also find a directory of certified coaches and workshops worldwide, making it easy to locate a local or virtual provider. The 5-Day Meaning Design Experiment is a free, low-commitment way to dip your toes into the approach. If you're a professional looking to become a certified life design coach, this is the gold standard. For individuals, it's a reliable way to access vetted practitioners.
#4 Anne-Marie Brest
A screenshot of the Anne-Marie Brest website.
Anne-Marie Brest offers a 12-week life coaching program based on the Designing Your Life book, with 10 one-on-one sessions to guide you through the exercises. Her approach is personal and supportive, helping you identify blocks and blind spots while developing new practices. She also offers specialized packages like climate wayfinding and wisdom walks, so you can tailor the experience to your interests. If you prefer a human touch and a structured timeline, this program gives you both. It's a great middle ground between self-study and full immersion.
#5 Lumia Coaching
A screenshot of the Lumia Coaching website.
Lumia Coaching offers coach training programs that incorporate life design principles, along with a rich blog and podcast exploring how to apply them. Their Essentials and Signature programs are designed for aspiring coaches, but they also provide free resources like sample classes and articles. If you're curious about life design but not ready to commit, their content is a great starting point. For those wanting to become a coach, Lumia's training is practical and community-driven. It's a solid choice for learning the ropes and building a coaching practice.
How to Choose the Right Life Design Program
Start by asking what you need most: a structured course, one-on-one guidance, or a certification to teach others. If you want academic depth, Stanford Life Design Lab is your best bet. If you're looking for a personal transformation with a neuroscience twist, Kat Van Dijk's method is worth a free diagnostic test. For a book-based, supportive coaching experience, Anne-Marie Brest offers a clear 12-week path. If you're a professional wanting to add life design to your toolkit, Designing Your Life's certifications are the industry standard. And if you're just exploring, Lumia's free content can help you decide. Consider your budget, time commitment, and whether you prefer self-paced or guided learning.
Automating Your Life Design Journey
You can automate parts of your life design process to stay consistent. Start by using a free diagnostic tool like Kat Van Dijk's LIFE Diagnostic Test™ to get a baseline. Then, set up a weekly email reminder to review your alignment goals and journal your progress. Use a habit-tracking app to log daily practices like gratitude or reflection, which are core to positive psychology. For deeper work, schedule recurring coaching sessions with a provider like Anne-Marie Brest, and use a CRM to track your goals and insights. Finally, join a community or newsletter from Designing Your Life or Lumia to get fresh prompts and inspiration automatically.
Your Next Step Toward Intentional Living
Life design isn't about perfection—it's about progress. Whether you choose a free test, a 12-week coaching program, or a full certification, the key is to start. Each of these five programs offers a unique entry point, so pick the one that resonates with your current needs and take that first step. Remember, awareness precedes change, and you have the tools to become the architect of your own life. Align, evolve, and thrive.