Table of Contents
TLDR: Domestika Review
What once started out as a social media platform has since transformed into an online learning platform dedicated to creatives.
Whether you want to advance your career or start a new hobby, Domestika may have a course that’s right for you. However, chances are, it won’t be in English as the platform is predominently Spanish. Fortunately, the video content does come with English subtitles.
Students can choose between several categories, all of which contain quality-controlled courses from industry experts. And whether you choose to purchase an individual course or a course bundle, you can expect an affordable rate.
Lastly, there’s the certificates. All students receive a certificate of completion following every course, but these are not accredited qualifications.
If you feel like you want to learn more, keep reading.
Domestika Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good quality control. Because the platform participates in the production of each course, the quality is consistent. That’s a significant advantage compared to many popular platforms like Udemy or Coursera.
- Simple pricing model. Domestika’s pricing model is straightforward – all courses cost the same. Learners can either get a subscription to access any course or buy courses individually.
- Certificate of completion. Upon course completion, students receive a certificate that they can share with potential employers or clients.
Cons
- No degrees available. Although Domestika issues certificates of completion, there are no accredited degree programs like there are with Coursera.
- Language barriers. Most Domestika courses are in Spanish with auto-generated subtitles, so you can easily miss something important in translation.
- Limited course topics. This point is both a pro and a con. On the one hand, limited course selection facilitates better quality control. On the other hand, the topics are limited, so you might not find the courses you were hoping for.
Who Is Domestika For?
Domestika is a creativity-focused online learning platform for anyone wishing to learn new skills or advance their current careers. It’s also ideal for those who are thinking about taking up a new hobby.
The platform caters to all skill levels, from beginners to professionals, but because you only receive a certificate of completion, it might not be the right pick for someone who wants an accredited qualification.
Lastly, Domestika is best for learners searching for flexible and affordable online learning options within a creative community.
Types of Courses on Domestika
Here are the main course categories you will find on Domestika:
- Illustration
- Craft
- Marketing and business
- Photography and video
- Design
- 3D and animation
- Architecture
- Writing
- Web and app design
- Calligraphy and typography
- Fashion
- Music and audio
Although most of the courses target creatives, the platform also offers some courses on web design and business.
Another stand-out feature of Domestika’s courses is the top-notch quality. All classes are taught by industry professionals and developed in-house.
Apart from individual courses, Domestika also offers course bundles. This is both cheaper and more convenient, as their teams of professionals have already designed a perfect learning path for you. For example, the Illustration bundle includes three video courses on watercolor techniques and color palettes. Alternatively, users can create their own bundles.
One point to note is that many courses are in Spanish with auto-generated English, Portuguese, or German subtitles. This can be a significant drawback for some courses, as you can lose important information due to inaccurate translation. However, many classes on the platform are all about showing and don’t involve a lot of talking.
Domestika Pricing and Refunds
All Domestika courses cost $59.99, but the platform often offers discounts of up to 87%, so you can easily get a top-rated course for only $12.99. Even if your desired class currently isn’t on sale, chances are, you can find Domestika discount codes online.
Furthermore, learners can save money by purchasing course bundles. A two-course bundle costs slightly over $20 without a discount, depending on the type, and a six-course bundle costs $66.94. Like the individual courses, the platform often offers discounts for bundles.
Overall, buying in bundles is significantly cheaper, especially considering that you can build custom packages. You can add three courses at $59.99 each to a bundle and only pay $33.97.
Students can pay using a credit or debit card, PayPal checkout, or the Domestika app. Purchases made via the app are processed via the App Store or the Google Play Store. Students from Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil can even pay with cash or bank transfer.
The platform also has free courses, but you need to purchase a subscription to watch them. Free courses are released every month but are only available for free during that month. Users who wish to continue with the course, access it later, participate in the community forum, and receive a certificate must purchase it for the full price.
Domestika only has one subscription plan priced at $9.99 monthly or $83.88 annually. All Plus plan members get one course of choice per month for free, a 20% discount on all courses and bundles, and access to free courses.
Users can get a refund within 14 days after the purchase unless the course was bought on sale. However, the platform has the right to refuse a refund if they believe it violates their policies. The refund rules also apply to Plus plan subscriptions. Alternatively, users can request to change courses if the current course hasn’t met their expectations. The funds are returned via the same method used to make the purchase.
Domestika Enrolment Process
Domestika’s enrolment process is straightforward and quick. Each course has a recommended knowledge level, such as Beginner or Intermediate. However, users should evaluate their expertise on their own, and access is never restricted even if the course targets professionals.
All users have to do is click on the Buy button, open their cart, and proceed to the checkout. After successful payment, the course will appear in the My Courses menu.
Domestika Course Structure
Most Domestika courses consist of a mix of video lectures, practical exercises, additional reading resources, and hands-on projects. Some classes may consist solely of video lectures though.
When you open a course page, you can view its duration, number of units, language, available subtitles, and required skill level. Additionally, the menu shows whether course students receive a certificate of completion, how many students have completed the course, and its rating. You can read student reviews if you click on the rating.
You will find detailed course content information, learning outcomes, and requirements if you scroll down. The requirements don’t solely relate to the theoretical knowledge level; they can also be practical.
For example, a Tattoo for Beginners course requires students to have essential tools and materials such as a tattoo machine, glycerine soap, and vinyl gloves. Web design or app development courses may require students to install certain software.
Most courses don’t have a deadline, and students can learn at a comfortable pace. Furthermore, they can access the course content at any time after its completion to refresh their memory. Some courses include hands-on projects and practice exercises that are checked by the instructors, so students can get valuable feedback.
Additionally, they can engage with the industry professional community to exchange insights, ask questions, offer solutions, and request honest feedback.
Domestika Alternatives
Domestika is undoubtedly a great learning platform, but is it your best bet? Depending on your background and desired learning outcomes, other online learning platforms may be a better fit.
Here are some alternatives you can consider:
- Skillshare. Skillshare is another popular Domestika alternative for creative professionals. However, you won’t receive a certificate of completion, and there’s no strict quality control like on Domestika. The practical projects are excellent though. Read more in the full review here.
- Udemy. This platform is known for its wide selection of short courses, many of which fall into the creative category. The costs and duration vary because everyone can become a teacher on Udemy. The lack of quality control is the platform’s main drawback. You can find out more in this detailed review.
- MasterClass. This unique online learning platform offers courses taught by the best of the best. For instance, you can learn to cook with Gordon Ramsay or learn about songwriting and producing from Alicia Keys. The course selection isn’t as wide as most others, but the platform has strict quality control and participates in the production of each course. Find out if it’s right for you here.
Verdict
Domestika is an excellent online learning option for creatives, regardless of skill level.
Unlike Udemy, Domestika participates in the production of each course. And unlike MasterClass, it issues certificates of course completion, which you will need to advance your career.
These two distinctions truly make Domestika stand out. We highly recommend anyone interested in the arts, crafts, web design, and other creative sectors consider Domestika for their online learning requirements.