Fostering Growth and Connection Through UX Conferences


Fostering Growth and Connection Through UX Conferences

By Hannah Baker


Dear Reader,

In the ever-evolving landscape of design, one thing remains constant: the deep-seated desire for connection and growth.

Over the years, we've been on a journey to understand the needs and pain points of designers like you.

From research conducted over four years ago to conversations we had just last month, one common theme has consistently emerged: the longing to connect and learn from one another.

At all stages of our careers, we seek ways to come together in small groups, share past experiences, and collectively tackle career challenges. There are various solutions to address this need, but one that consistently stands out is the conference.

So, we posed a simple yet profound question to our community: "What do you think are the benefits of UX conferences to you?"

Here are some of the insightful responses we received:

Inspiration: Austėja Plungė aptly describes UX conferences as a source of inspiration, sparking new ideas and driving creative thinking.

Networking: Filipe Monteiro emphasizes the invaluable aspect of networking at conferences. It's an opportunity to meet fellow professionals; you never know how those connections might shape your future.

Broadening Perspectives: Diana Leveryte highlights how conferences expand our horizons, offering fresh perspectives and novel approaches that enrich our work.

Continuous Learning: Dan Hiester compares conferences to a college-like learning experience, where we can stay up-to-date with industry trends and gain new insights.

Professional Development: Dee Amana underscores the role of conferences in professional development. They provide a platform to enhance communication skills, explore new tools and technologies, and find inspiration in the experiences of industry leaders.

Conferences are not just events. They're catalysts for personal and professional growth, facilitating connections and nurturing a community of passionate designers.

It's the season for conferences!

If you can attend one in person or virtually, seize this opportunity to feel connected and grow.

After all, the shared experiences and collective wisdom make our design community thrive.

As for upcoming conferences, there's an exciting event in Berlin tomorrow – Hatch Conference.

You can still grab your tickets for the virtual experience, so don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of something extraordinary.

Plus, here's a little bonus for our community members: Use code THEFOUNTAININSTITUTE to enjoy a 15% discount on your ticket!


COURSE: Facilitating Workshops
Sept. 23-Oct. 31, 2024
Master practical techniques to lead effective, problem-solving workshops.
Reserve a Seat
Only
10 4 Regular seats left


COURSE: Defining UX Strategy
Nov. 4-Dec. 16, 2024
Learn to design a winning strategy that aligns design with business
Reserve a Seat
Registration for the November cohort opens soon!


Source, shared by Linus Mimetz in the Guild

Until next week!

Hannah Baker
Facilitator & Co-Founder
The Fountain Institute

The Fountain Institute

The Fountain Institute is an independent online school that teaches advanced UX & product skills.

Read more from The Fountain Institute
figma meme ancestors

5 Ways to Do Strategic Research by Jeff Humble Dear Reader, You may have done some user research and thought, what does the next level of research project look like? Well, strategy research is a good example. It can help you see how advanced research can look for any project, not just strategy. Here are five activities of strategy research to give you an idea of how you can go beyond user research: 1.) Understanding Market Dynamics Are you fighting the next wave or riding it? Markets...

MoSCoW Matrix

Essential Tools for Better Prioritization By Hannah Baker Dear Reader, Picture this: You’re sitting in a conference room, surrounded by your team. The whiteboard is filled with sticky notes, each representing a different feature idea for your next product release. The room is buzzing with energy, but as the conversation unfolds, you notice a pattern—certain voices dominate the discussion. Popular ideas quickly gain momentum, while quieter team members struggle to have their suggestions heard....

framework to evaluate strategy

Improve Any Strategy With the 4 D's by Jeff Humble Dear Reader, I teach a strategy course for designers, where one of my jobs is giving feedback on strategies. And it is NOT an easy task. After years of evaluating strategies, I've developed four checks that I use to ensure that a strategy is as effective as possible. I think they will give you some insights into strategy design in general. Check your strategy with 4 questions by Jeff Humble Differentiation: Strategy should be about doing...