Design is what gets to people—not what sits in files and internal meetings. To make that happen, you need to present and sell your work. The client, stakeholders, dev team, and everyone else who'll build it needs to buy in. I'll share what I've learned working with product companies, studios, agencies, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers. I'll cover: • Why a good-looking, logical design isn't enough to get it approved and built • How to structure your presentation so people actually get it • When screen sharing Figma works fine, and when it kills the vibe • How to think about who you're presenting to, what they need, and why—so you spend less time on revisions and ship faster

About the different stages of a designer’s career and the challenges we face at each of them. Answers to questions such as: what truly makes a designer great; what kind of education a designer needs and whether it’s possible without it; why designers need politics and how to present their work; how to work in a team; how to give non-toxic feedback; how to understand yourself and find your own “kung fu” — and much more.

Today, a portfolio is not just a collection of beautiful visuals — it’s a reflection of a designer’s way of thinking. We’ll talk about how to create a portfolio that tells a story, demonstrates the depth of design decisions, and shows the real value a designer brings to a team. The talk will feature real-world examples, common mistakes, and practical tips to help designers make their portfolios clear, compelling, and relevant to today’s market.

Everyone has already heard about web accessibility — but following it is not just about good contrast or having alternative text. Learn how to make your digital product truly accessible and avoid common mistakes at the meetup.

The pink dream of many designers — to “escape” from freelance or outsource and finally join a product team. Let’s figure out whether being a product designer is really that cool, what skill set it actually requires, and whether it might lead to professional stagnation instead of growth.

Learn how finite-state machines and reactive programming help us avoid callback hell at Grammarly.

We'll discuss the goals and objectives of design during wartime, military aesthetics, insignias, and the identity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, examples of communication, and how design impacts survival, as well as the activities of the Cultural Landing initiative.

Looks matter. But do they really help? In design, we often glorify aesthetics, but does making something “pretty” actually make it more usable? This talk breaks down the psychological battle between visual appeal and functional clarity, exploring how design influences both emotion and cognition. We'll take you through: - How composition theory shapes both aesthetics and usability. - Why visual design is crucial for some products but useless for others. - The role of cognitive load: real reason users click (or don’t). - How visual triggers manipulate emotions and decision-making. - The secret to balancing eye candy with functionality to create truly effective design. Get ready for a mix of psychology, interaction design, and a few hard truths. If you've ever wondered whether you should lean into visuals or focus on usability—this talk will help you decide.