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Key takeaways:
- Integrating training with real-world projects ensures teams can apply new skills effectively, driving lasting results and client success.
- Upskilling clients strengthens relationships, turning agencies from service providers to strategic partners.
- Continuous learning is essential for staying ahead in the digital space, fostering innovation and adaptability within both agencies and client teams.
Your company could be checking out all the boxes for success: having a clear vision, partnering with a top-tier agency, and investing in the right technology.
But why aren’t you seeing the results you expected?
The most successful businesses understand that without the right internal knowledge, execution becomes transactional rather than transformational.
Education and execution should go hand in hand, that’s why Clique Studios created Clique University — a model that helps both its team and its clients build the skills needed to implement digital strategies more effectively.
We spoke with Clique Studios’ founding partner Ted Novak to find out the humble beginnings of Clique University, how learning can reshape agency-client relationships — and how you can apply these insights to your own business.
Who is Ted Novak?
Ted Novak (he/him) is a founding partner of Clique Studios where he helps introduce innovative solutions into the market. As managing director, Ted helps clients build better businesses by enhancing the way they present themselves to the world, and shows them how to use technology and design to simplify online growth. Ted has a passion for making an impact in the lives of others and bringing excitement to the way people communicate.
While boot camps are designed to teach valuable skills, they often fail to bridge the gap between knowledge and practical execution in complex business environments.
“Learning isn’t just about training — it’s about applying skills in real-world scenarios,” Ted explains.
Similarly, one-off training sessions tend to have a limited impact — without hands-on application, participants quickly revert to old habits.
Clique Studios then sought to find a solution: rather than treating learning as a separate activity, it integrated training into ongoing projects and workflows to drive lasting results.
Ted explains that this approach is rooted in the belief that learning is most effective when it happens in the context of actual work.
“We work in an industry that evolves constantly, and we serve clients who are also navigating rapid changes.”
“A phrase we’ll say often is ‘Yesterday’s tools get yesterday’s results.’ Our role is to help organizations prepare for what’s next.”
According to Ted, companies should operate with these three core values in mind:
- Build something.
- Be a student and a teacher.
- Make someone else’s job easier.
These principles guide how Clique collaborates internally, works with clients, and contributes to its communities.
Clique University’s Origin: Expanding Beyond Web Development
Clique University initially started as a resource hub with a focus on web design, development, accessibility, and emerging digital trends.
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However, there was an opportunity for the model to expand its impact by creating a formal, three-month cohort program for aspiring developers.
While the program was highly successful and helped every participant secure a job, the company got out of the cohort business to evolve Clique University into an even broader knowledge-sharing platform.
Here, its team could share insights useful to marketers and digital professionals.
To find the sweet spot between internal team training and clients’ needs for upskilling, Clique started identifying skills its team wanted to develop, like accessibility, user experience, and AI-driven marketing.
Then, it asked its clients which areas they needed to upskill, and focused on training efforts where the Venn diagram overlapped.
“One key insight was that teaching something is one of the best ways to master it. When our team builds training materials, they not only help clients but also refine their own expertise,” Ted explains.
“This has led to a win-win approach: agency growth, client development, and deeper expertise within our team.”
Ted shared that the company expressed concern about upskilling clients, as doing so might make them less reliant on Clique’s services.
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However, what happened was the complete opposite.
“When clients invest in our training, they gain a deeper appreciation for the expertise we bring to the table.”
“Instead of just seeing us as a service provider, they view us as a strategic partner. This has strengthened our client relationships, extending engagements beyond single projects.”
As it stands, Clique University offers a UX training package inclusive of a month-long hands-on execution with their in-house team.
“This has been particularly effective for bringing UX best practices upstream to business analysts and product managers.”
Empowering Clients Through UX/UI Training and Execution
When it comes to real-world outcomes, Clique’s approach to integrated learning consistently leads to better client results.
One notable case involved a client seeking greater consistency across internal digital platforms like Salesforce and SharePoint.
“In these cases, we develop best practices, design systems, and component libraries to bring consistency and efficiency to the client's workflow,” Ted says.
Rather than merely redesigning the system, Clique provides comprehensive UX/UI training, empowering the client’s team to manage and scale the design independently.
“By teaching our clients how to use these tools effectively, they gain more confidence in managing their digital assets. This, in turn, enhances collaboration and speeds up their internal processes.”
Ted explains Clique shifted from one-off training sessions to a hands-on approach, as people struggle to apply the new tools they learn to their daily work.
“They default to familiar methods because they’re under pressure to deliver results. The key to breaking this cycle is safe, guided practice.”
Now, Clique University pairs training with actual project execution, and has clients working alongside experts.
“This boosts confidence, reinforces learning, and ensures real adoption.”
Continuous Learning: The Key to Innovation and Creativity
While hands-on training is a must, Ted also believes continuous learning is another cornerstone in achieving your goals.
“Continuous learning is at the core of our agency's success — it’s the reason we’re here and why our team stays engaged.”
It’s this very mindset that keeps Clique on the cutting edge, fueling creativity, and ensuring the company remains adaptable.
It was also this core belief that drove the company to launch Clique Labs, which Ted describes as a place for creative experimentation outside of client work.
Through continuous learning, Clique Studios was able to successfully adapt new technologies and methodologies with the diverse set of work it has taken on.
“Our ability to expand our expertise into emerging fields is proof that continuous learning drives both agency growth and client success,” he shares.
The Future of Design Education: Staying Ahead of the Curve
Looking ahead, Ted sees design education as a dynamic force that’s constantly evolving in the digital agency world.
He explains the cycle of design in the digital that drives change in the industry:
- Innovation: A new approach emerges and gains traction
- Adoption: It becomes the standard way of doing things
- Differentiation: The need to stand out drives the next innovation
This constant evolution, he believes, is what keeps the industry on its toes.
“At Clique, our focus is on staying ahead of that curve. By ensuring that both our team and our clients are prepared for what’s next, we help them stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.”
For Ted, it’s not just about mastering current trends — it’s about preparing for the next wave of innovation, ensuring longevity, and fostering adaptability.
Adopting this approach not only drives continuous learning and upskilling but also positions businesses to remain agile and competitive.
By encouraging a culture of innovation and adaptability, organizations can ensure sustainable growth and success in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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