Sharpen

Overview

Sharpen is a design challenge generator that produces open-ended project prompts across 21 categories and 2 unique generators. It helps designers practice creative problem solving, hiring teams evaluate candidates fairly, and educators inspire students with NGSS-aligned STEM lessons.

Design leaders at Google and Humu use Sharpen to run design challenge exercises during hiring and to recommend it for skill-building outside of work. The platform also offers custom generators for hiring processes with branded prompts and specific prompt types.

Key Benefits

• Generates millions of open-ended practice design prompts across 21 categories.
• Trusted by design leaders at Google for fair candidate evaluation during hiring.
• Offers custom generators with branding and specific prompt types for hiring teams.
• Provides NGSS-aligned STEM lesson packs with instructor guides, student activities, and grading rubrics.
• Lesson packs include all graphical assets for easy remixing and integration into classrooms.
• Spam-free newsletter delivers design prompts directly to subscribers.

How It Works

You visit the Sharpen website and select a category from 21 available options or choose one of 2 unique generators. The tool instantly generates an open-ended design prompt for you to work through. For hiring, you request a custom generator with your branding and specific prompt types. For educators, you purchase a lesson pack containing instructor guides, student activities, grading rubrics, and all graphical assets for immediate classroom use.

Use Cases

• Design managers at companies like Google use Sharpen to create fair, consistent design challenges during hiring evaluations.
• Individual designers use the prompt generator to practice creative problem solving and build their skills outside of work.
• STEM educators integrate NGSS-aligned lesson packs into their classrooms for project-based learning.
• Instructional coaches and curriculum designers use the persona stories pack to add empathy-building context to existing lessons.
• Hiring teams request custom generators with branded prompts to make their design hiring process more efficient and ethical.

Why Choose This Product

Sharpen is best suited for design hiring managers who want fair, consistent evaluation prompts, individual designers looking for free practice exercises, and STEM educators seeking ready-to-run NGSS-aligned lesson packs. The core prompt generator is free to use, while STEM lesson packs and custom generators for hiring require purchase or contacting sales.