Today our guest is Eugene Trofimov. Eugene is a design manager at one of the FAANG companies. He is also an experienced design mentor and a founder of a russian-speaking design community with 10000 followers where he helps designers get jobs at top tech companies in the world.

In this episode we’re talking about how to switch jobs and don’t be an asshole in the process. How to understand that you need a new job, how to wrap up stuff on the current place and how to start at the new one.

Useful Links:

Eugene on LinkedIn

Eugene's russian-speaking community "FAANG+ Careers"

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Today our guest is Boaz Balachsan. Bo is Head of the UX/UI department at Spiced Academy & Neuefische. And runs the creative agency Borderless studios.

In this episode, we talk about how to cultivate a nurturing environment for designers, and how to balance creativity and business goals. Disclaimer, this episode contains trace amounts of baked goods – we realise may have made one too many references to that crumbly, crispy, chewy, and chunky cookie we so love.

Useful Links:

• Boaz on LinkedIn

• SPICED & Neuefische, especially our UX/UI courses, onsite and online. Also if you're interested in developing your PM skills as a designer.
• GROW model example for a tool that can support to reflect more on your goals and move forward in your career and development.

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Today our guest is Lin Cassie Zhen, Cassie is a design manager, mentor, and transformational coach. She empowers designers to challenge strategic decisions, express their design vision, and think independently.

She's also the host of the Being Awareness podcast, a bi-weekly exploration of mindfulness, meditation, and self-awareness.

In this episode, we’re talking about designers' mental health. How to deal with impostor syndrome, how to survive and manage high workload, and what is a healthy approach to growth.

Useful Links:

Cassie on LinkedIn

Cassie's podcast "Being Awareness"

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Today our guest is Damian Martone, Damian is an experienced designer and a household name in the Berlin design scene. He's also the founder of Berlin Product Design Meetups and the very well-received Berlin Hatch design conference, which will go to its 3rd edition in September 2024.

In this episode, we’re talking about meetups, conferences, and how to organize design events.

Useful links:

Hatch Conference 2024

Leadership Ateliers by Hatch Conference

Damian on LinkedIn

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Today my guest is Christopher Nguyen, Design Leader, Facilitator, and System Thinker. Chris created the UX Playbook, a set of online self-teaching courses on UX career growth, portfolio, management, and user experience. Check this out, the link is in the description.

In this episode, we’re talking about UX workshops. When they are most useful, how to deal with tough participants (Chris calls them “troublemakers”), and what are the key ingredients of an effective workshop?

Useful links:

UX Playbook by Chris

Chris on LinkedIn

10 Tips and Trick on Workshops:

1. Ask questions, write stuff down, and keep the timelimit.
2. Ensure participants are committed.
3. Use fake confidence if you don't have a real one yet.
4. Provide help; a facilitator's role is to be helpful.
5. Infuse energy; maintain an energetic demeanor.
6. Schedule regular breaks.
7. Practice as many times as possible and be proactive.
8. Don't take yourself too seriously.
9. Employ a "What? Why? How?" approach for each activity.
10. Gather feedback to understand areas for improvement and recognize positive aspects.

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