🎤 DESIGN EVENTS FOR EVERYBODY
Over the next two weeks, we’ll be running a series of free design events for our community—including you! These exciting events and workshops are a great opportunity to learn about design trends, pick up new skills, network with your peers, and learn about our programs.
Learn more about the upcoming events this week, and check out our Events page for the full roster. We can’t wait to see you there!
Generative AI Face-Off: A Comparison of the Top Image Generators
Tuesday, January 7th, 4pm ET/1pm PT
- Discover the power of generative AI tools in this session. We’ll explore how leading platforms like Midjourney, Leonardo AI, Ideogram, and Visual Electric interpret similar prompts, revealing unique strengths and ideal use cases.
- Facilitated by Designlab mentor and AI expert Carolina de Bartolo, this session will provide insights into the evolving landscape of AI tools, helping you decide which best fits your creative needs.
- At the end of the session, we’ll briefly preview the Designlab course, AI for Visual Design, for those wishing to take their experience using AI image-generating tools further. Designers of all skill levels with both UX and AI are welcome to attend!
Hidden Figma Roadblocks and How to Navigate Them
Wednesday, January 8th, 4pm ET/1pm PT
- Join Mel Hogan, Figma expert and Designlab mentor, on a quest to conquer common Figma frustrations in this insightful event.
- Drawing upon his extensive experience assisting designers, Mel sheds light on the recurring issues that often impede progress using Figma.
- While designers who have experience with Figma may benefit the most from the session, all are welcome to attend.
Why Business Savvy Designers Get Promoted
Thursday, January 9th, 6pm ET/3pm PT
- In this insightful session, we’ll explore the critical importance for designers to understand —and speak the language of —business in order to grow their careers.
- This talk will be facilitated by Jacalin Ding, who is a product designer, seasoned career coach, and creator of our Strategic Business Acumen for Designers course.
- Jacalin will share how a deeper understanding of business and strategy is what truly sets top designers apart, helping them drive real impact and accelerate their careers. Both new and seasoned designers are welcome to attend this talk!
More Events the Week of January 13th
- From UX Academy to Gamma: Alison Bemis on Designing AI Products
- Transitioning into UX: A Panel with UX Academy Alumni
- The Power of Networking
💜 PORTFOLIO INSPIRATION
Wednesday, January 8th, at 2pm ET, we’ll also be hosting an event entitled “Make a Great First Impression with Your Portfolio”. This is a great opportunity to learn more first-hand about what makes a portfolio stand out from the crowd.
In this session, led by two experienced Designlab mentors, we’ll discuss crucial elements of what can make or break a portfolio during an initial job screening process. Toward the end of the session, we’ll save time for a limited number of attendees to volunteer their own portfolio sites for live feedback and critique.
Register here, and check out some top-notch portfolios from our two facilitators, Chrissy Welsh and Jacques Debeunere, below.
Chrissy Welsh, a Designlab mentor, is currently the UX Director for the global financial institution ING. With an impressive background in fintech, healthcare, and e-commerce, Chrissy states her philosophy as designing for “clarity, experience, and impact while leaving space for fun”. Chrissy has previously worked as a design director and strategist for other international companies such as Deloitte and Philips, and will join us as a facilitator for our “Portfolio First Impressions” talk this week
Jacques Debeuneure, a Designlab mentor, is currently the Lead Product Designer at Lowes. Jacques brings a strategic and data-driven mindset to his work, and says of his approach that “I’m extremely passionate about all things design, business, and tech, so cross-collaboration is my forte”. Jacques has previously worked as a product designer and design manager at other large-scale companies such as American Express and ADT Security, and will be one of the facilitators for our “Portfolio First Impressions” workshop this week.
Got a portfolio you love that you’d like to share with our audience? Email your suggestions to hello@designlab.com.
🎥 PAST EVENTS TO ENJOY...
- Designing the Future: A Conversation with Visual Electric Cofounder Colin Dunn
- Paths to Design Leadership
- Just Show Up: The Importance of Facing Fear
- Personal Branding in UX
A creative life is an amplified life. It's a bigger life, a happier life, an expanded life, and a hell of a lot more interesting life. — Elizabeth Gilbert, author
🧪 FROM THE LAB
🚀 UX Academy Foundations Launching Soon
Our first cohort of UX Academy Foundations launches this coming Monday, January 6th. Foundations is the perfect first step towards seeing if a career in UX is right for you. You’ll learn design fundamentals, work hands-on in Figma, be guided by a 1:1 expert mentor, join our support community, and more—all on a flexible schedule with a low financial commitment.
If you’re ready to start the journey towards a new fulfilling creative career in 2025, secure your space today. Enroll now—seats are limited!
⭐️ Upskill Your Design Career This January
Our full slate of top-rated courses for experienced designers will be launching this month, with several starting in just one week, on January 10th. Whether you’re looking to master complex concepts in Figma, integrate accessibility into your workflow, or up your business acumen, we have something for everybody. Learn more or register below:
- Advanced Figma (Launching 1/10)
- Advanced Usability and Accessibility (Launching 1/10)
- Strategic Business Acumen for Designers (Launching 1/17)
- Data-Driven Design (Launching 1/31)
Need help deciding on a course? Join our Advanced Courses webinar this coming Monday, January 6th, at 1pm ET to learn more about all of our advanced course offerings in a live, interactive format. Register here.
