The Fountain Institute is an independent online school that teaches advanced UX & product skills.
Shaping the Future of the Guild of Working Designers - Let's Co-Create!
Shaping the Future of the Guild of Working Designers - Let's Co-Create!By Hannah Baker Dear Reader, As one of over 6,500 newsletter subscribers, you're part of a vibrant group passionate about senior-level design and leadership. You might have heard us refer to the Guild of Working Designers, or Guild for short, and maybe you're even part of it. But if you've been curious about what this is and why it exists, we are here to clarify that and offer an opportunity to shape its future. The Guild of Working DesignersImagine a community where working designers don't just meet but grow together, going beyond the basics and enriching our collective design wisdom. That's the heart of the Guild, which has been thriving since late 2020. Since I started the Guild, it has grown to over 800 designers on Slack, with more than 35 meetups and 9,000+ event registrants fostering connections and creativity. And now, this space is evolving, and here's your invitation to be a part of that change! We've Listened, and Now It's Time to ActThe Guild isn't just evolving; it's being reborn, with your voice as its guiding force. While we've created a thriving space for working designers, we realize it's time for something even more impactful. Now, we're turning the reins over to you—the heart and soul of our community. Your Voice, Your CommunityWe're not just about meetups and Slack chats anymore. We're evolving into a community where your desires and needs take center stage. So, how do we make this happen? Through co-creation and a healthy dose of transparency, of course! We're launching a series of workshops where you get to define our community's purpose and values. Think of it as our community reimagined by you! A Special April MeetupOur next meetup, Designers' Collective Dreaming, on April 24 at 19:00 CEST, is not just another event. It's the kickoff to this new area of the Guild, and we invite every designer to share, dream, and contribute. Be a Part of the TransformationDo you want to dive deeper past this initial workshop and really help steer the Guild's future? We're seeking 8 creative minds for an additional three hands-on workshops. It's more than participation; it's about leaving your mark on the design world. Check out the details below and how you can apply.
Not a Guild Member Yet?Curious but not yet a Guild member? Join us and amplify your voice in a community that values your design insights and creativity. Apply to Join the Guild Together, we're not just designing but redefining what a design community can be. Join us on this extraordinary journey.
Until next time!
|
The Fountain Institute
The Fountain Institute is an independent online school that teaches advanced UX & product skills.
When Frameworks Fail and Gut Feelings Take Over By Hannah Baker Dear Reader, You know that moment when the data looks clear, the framework is airtight, and yet something in your stomach says, don’t do it? That’s judgment, the quiet, inconvenient voice that shows up when the evidence has already spoken. It’s also the thing most of us struggle to explain, even though our careers depend on it. Businesses love reasoning. We build frameworks to make decisions look rational, dashboards to make them...
Last-Minute Halloween Costumes for Designers 🎃 by Jeff Humble Dear Reader, It's time to expose your designer trauma to the whole world. It’s that time of year again, when we’re forced to stop nudging rectangles long enough to remember Halloween exists, and suddenly we need a costume tonight. But fear not! While normal humans panic-buy cat ears from a drugstore, we designers do what we do best: turn our professional pain into content. Here are 9 last-minute costumes for brave designers. 1. UX...
Before The Fountain Institute, there was Art School Dropout By Hannah Baker Dear Reader, In spring 2020, when the world had just gone remote, we ran a tiny experiment called Art School Dropout. It wasn’t about UX or product design. We didn’t even know that’s where we’d end up focusing yet. It was about exploring the overlap between art and design, and figuring out how to make learning online feel human, creative, and social. We weren’t thinking about building a business yet. We were just...