Career

Christopher Nguyen

/

Jan 19, 2026

12-Month Reading Plan for UX Designers

A reading plan for designers who want depth, not noise.

Christopher Nguyen

/

Dec 29, 2025

2025 Wrapped: The Year I Didn’t Scale

What happens when you choose movement over momentum? I spent 3 months traveling instead of scaling my business.

End-of-Year Reflection Questions for Designers Who Live in Complexity

Christopher Nguyen

/

Dec 22, 2025

End-of-Year Reflection Questions for Designers Who Live in Complexity

Trade the perfect year-end recap for something quieter: closure. 15 questions to help designers identify open loops and decide what stays.

Soft Skills

Is UI Dead? How AI Changes Interface Design

Christopher Nguyen

/

Dec 15, 2025

Is UI Dead? How AI Changes Interface Design

Naval says "UI is pre-AI." Is he right? Find out when AI makes UI less important and when high-craft design becomes your only moat.

Tech

Christopher Nguyen

/

Dec 1, 2025

How To Design With Mindfulness

When you're anxious, your design critiques turn defensive. When you're burnt out, creativity disappears. Let’s dive into 4 mindfulness practices that fix this.

What To Do When Your UX Manager Doesn’t Support You

Christopher Nguyen

/

Nov 24, 2025

What To Do When Your UX Manager Doesn’t Support You

Your UX manager might be the biggest roadblock to your success. Learn strategies UX designers can use to navigate and overcome unsupportive bosses.

Management

Is AI Changing UX Design? What Every Designer Needs to Know

Talia Hartwell

/

Nov 20, 2025

Is AI Changing UX Design? What Every Designer Needs to Know

Is AI killing UX design? Learn how designers can leverage AI to focus on strategy, creativity, and impact.

Tech

Brain Rot in the Age of AI: What Every UX Designer Needs to Know

Christopher Nguyen

/

Nov 3, 2025

Brain Rot in the Age of AI: What Every UX Designer Needs to Know

What happens when UX designers consume too much low-quality content? Brain rot. Learn how to protect your mind, creativity, and career.

Talia Hartwell

/

Oct 9, 2025

How To Start A Side Project With A 9-5

Side projects help UX designers grow. Learn how to start, stay motivated, and balance your 9–5 job while building something meaningful.

Soft Skills

Traits That Make You A Great UX Designer

Christopher Nguyen

/

Oct 6, 2025

Traits That Make You A Great UX Designer

What common traits exist in great UX designers? What do hiring managers really look for beyond the obvious hard skills?

Soft Skills

How To Find A Design Mentor: UX Mentorship Guide

Talia Hartwell

/

Oct 2, 2025

How To Find A Design Mentor: UX Mentorship Guide

Every UX designer needs mentorship. Learn where to find design mentors, what to ask, and how to build lasting relationships.

How I made 6-figures a year as a designpreneur

Christopher Nguyen

/

Sep 29, 2025

How I made 6-figures a year as a designpreneur

Solo UX designers making 6-figures aren't lucky, they're systematic. Learn the exact blueprint for building profitable design businesses without agencies.

I Killed My Design Agency in 30 Days (And How I'd Reboot It)

Talia Hartwell

/

Sep 11, 2025

I Killed My Design Agency in 30 Days (And How I'd Reboot It)

I launched a design agency with big dreams and a slick site. It died in 90 days. Here's the no-BS playbook I wish I had from day one.

Doomscrolling Recovery: Reclaim 21 Hours Weekly

Christopher Nguyen

/

Sep 8, 2025

Doomscrolling Recovery: Reclaim 21 Hours Weekly

Learn how to stop doomscrolling and get back 3 hours daily. Simple steps to break the scroll addiction and reclaim your time.

UX Design Meets Dating: 8 Tips That “Might” Work

Talia Hartwell

/

Sep 4, 2025

UX Design Meets Dating: 8 Tips That “Might” Work

Learn what dating and UX design have in common. 8 witty lessons for UX designers that improve both your design work and love life.

How to Build a UX Career Roadmap As UX Designer | 2026 Guide

Talia Hartwell

/

Aug 28, 2025

How to Build a UX Career Roadmap As UX Designer | 2026 Guide

Want to grow as a UX designer? Follow this 6-step UX career roadmap to find clarity, set goals, and design your ideal career path.

Promoted

Christopher Nguyen

/

Aug 4, 2025

10 of the Worst Toxic Boss Traits

Bad managers cost companies talent and productivity. Here are 10 toxic boss behaviors that create hostile work environments and how to identify them.

Management

10 Grim Truths Designers Need to Hear in 2026

Christopher Nguyen

/

Jul 7, 2025

10 Grim Truths Designers Need to Hear in 2026

UX design jobs are vanishing fast. Find out what's really happening to design careers in 2026.

Tech

50+ Journal Prompts That Calm Your Design Creative Storm

Christopher Nguyen

/

Jun 23, 2025

50+ Journal Prompts That Calm Your Design Creative Storm

Struggling with creative blocks? Try these 50+ journal prompts for UX designers. Quick, fun writing exercises to boost your design thinking and mental clarity.

Soft Skills

Business vs Design: How to Bridge the Gap (2026 Guide)

Talia Hartwell

/

May 22, 2025

Business vs Design: How to Bridge the Gap (2026 Guide)

Design manager stuck between business and design teams? Learn 10 ways for better collaboration that boost careers and ship better products.

Why Great UX Designers Read Beyond Design Content (And What They Study Instead)

Christopher Nguyen

/

May 5, 2025

Why Great UX Designers Read Beyond Design Content (And What They Study Instead)

The best UX designers don't just study design. Explore the non-design content that transforms good designers into exceptional ones.

What The White Lotus Season 3 Teaches UX Designers About Surviving Tech

Christopher Nguyen

/

Apr 14, 2025

What The White Lotus Season 3 Teaches UX Designers About Surviving Tech

Feel like your UX career resembles a White Lotus meltdown? Learn practical career lessons from Season 3 that every designer needs to survive tech industry chaos.

Tech

Talia Hartwell

/

Mar 20, 2025

How to Master Product Design in 2026

Why organizations prefer product designers? What skills you need to transition from UX? And how to build the influence in your organization?

How Mental Health Affects Your UX Career: Warning Signs & Solutions

Talia Hartwell

/

Mar 13, 2025

How Mental Health Affects Your UX Career: Warning Signs & Solutions

Discover how mental health impacts your UX work with our practical 7-strategy guide. Plus: Take our self-assessment to check your burnout risk level.

Freelancing 101 (Part 2): 9 Lessons on Operations and Communication

Talia Hartwell

/

Feb 27, 2025

Freelancing 101 (Part 2): 9 Lessons on Operations and Communication

Discover 9 important operations and communication lessons from industry pros to succeed as a UX design freelancer. Learn how to scale your business and manage clients.

Soft Skills

Freelancing 101 (Part 1): 13 Lessons on Pricing and Client Acquisition

Talia Hartwell

/

Feb 20, 2025

Freelancing 101 (Part 1): 13 Lessons on Pricing and Client Acquisition

Thinking of going freelance in design? Learn from those who’ve been there—13 essential lessons on pricing your work and finding clients who actually pay what you’re worth.

Soft Skills

Remote UX Design: From Zoom Doom to Creative Boom

Talia Hartwell

/

Feb 6, 2025

Remote UX Design: From Zoom Doom to Creative Boom

Tired of your design flow being interrupted? See how remote UX teams achieve more deep work time and create better user experiences.

Product Company vs Design Agency: Which Path Should UX Designers Choose in 2026?

Talia Hartwell

/

Jan 16, 2025

Product Company vs Design Agency: Which Path Should UX Designers Choose in 2026?

Consider joining a product company or design agency? Discover the pros and cons of each path for UX designers in 2026. And get equipped with a structured framework and key assessments to guide your decision.

The Power of Journaling: A Tool for Mental Clarity and Career Growth

Christopher Nguyen

/

Jan 11, 2025

The Power of Journaling: A Tool for Mental Clarity and Career Growth

Feeling overwhelmed? Learn how journaling can reduce stress, improve focus, and help you thrive in your personal and professional life.

Soft Skills

Christopher Nguyen

/

Dec 30, 2024

2024 Wrapped: As A UX Designer

Dumb mistakes, small wins, and global chaos. Just a year in a life as a UX designer.

How to Quit Your Job With or Without Grace

Christopher Nguyen

/

Dec 16, 2024

How to Quit Your Job With or Without Grace

Leaving your job can be a fresh start or a disaster waiting to happen. Learn the best (and worst) ways to quit, and what comes after.

Stop the Hustle: How Designers Can Achieve More by Doing Less

Christopher Nguyen

/

Dec 9, 2024

Stop the Hustle: How Designers Can Achieve More by Doing Less

Being busy doesn’t mean being successful. Learn 5 actionable habits to boost your productivity, reduce stress, and focus on what truly matters in your design career.

The Lack of Transparency Is Killing Your UX Process

Christopher Nguyen

/

Dec 2, 2024

The Lack of Transparency Is Killing Your UX Process

Most UX processes fail due to a lack of transparency. Here’s how to work in the open, smooth out projects, and boost your credibility.

Culture

How to Create New Year’s Resolutions You’ll Actually Stick To

Christopher Nguyen

/

Nov 25, 2024

How to Create New Year’s Resolutions You’ll Actually Stick To

Tired of setting resolutions you never keep? This guide will help you craft goals that are realistic, actionable, and built to last.

UX Bootcamps: Cash Grabs or Career Launchers?

Talia Hartwell

/

Nov 14, 2024

UX Bootcamps: Cash Grabs or Career Launchers?

Discover the truth about UX bootcamps: 5 warning signs that indicate a cash grab, how they cause negative impacts. Learn practical alternatives that actually prepare you for real design work.

3 Reasons AI UX Design Feels Hard and How to Fix It

Christopher Nguyen

/

Nov 11, 2024

3 Reasons AI UX Design Feels Hard and How to Fix It

Designing for AI is tricky. Lack of understanding, experience, or approach holding you back? Here’s how to overcome the blur and create great designs.

Tech UX Fundamentals

Pros and Cons of Freelancing: A Brutally Honest Guide

Christopher Nguyen

/

Nov 4, 2024

Pros and Cons of Freelancing: A Brutally Honest Guide

Thinking about going freelance? Here are the pros, cons, and a 10-point checklist to see if you’re ready to make the leap.

You Can’t Rely on Just a Job: Why a Business Mindset is Essential

Christopher Nguyen

/

Oct 28, 2024

You Can’t Rely on Just a Job: Why a Business Mindset is Essential

Relying solely on a paycheck won’t cut it anymore. Learn why shifting to a business mindset can give you the edge in a shaky economy.

Talia Hartwell

/

Oct 17, 2024

How to Improve Your UI Design Skills

UI design isn’t just pretty pixels, it’s precision. In this packed guide, you’ll learn how to craft clean, intuitive, wow-worthy interfaces that users love (and actually know how to use).

UI Fundamentals: Best Practices for UX Designers — Updated 2026

Talia Hartwell

/

Oct 10, 2024

UI Fundamentals: Best Practices for UX Designers — Updated 2026

Discover 11 essential UI design best practices that every UX designer should master in 2026. From simplifying layouts to optimizing speed, this guide gives you everything you need to create seamless, user-centered experiences.

UX Fundamentals

How to Improve Interaction Design in Your Projects

Talia Hartwell

/

Sep 26, 2024

How to Improve Interaction Design in Your Projects

Interaction design made simple: 7 steps and advanced techniques. Boost usability, engagement, and user satisfaction with practical tips.

Why Designers, Copywriters, and Tech Workers Need to Read Fiction

Christopher Nguyen

/

Sep 16, 2024

Why Designers, Copywriters, and Tech Workers Need to Read Fiction

Stop limiting yourself to non-fiction. Fiction isn’t just escapism; it’s a tool for innovation, creativity, and a better state of mind. Dive into the benefits backed by science.

UX Trends vs Timeless Skills: What You Should Really Prioritize

Talia Hartwell

/

Aug 22, 2024

UX Trends vs Timeless Skills: What You Should Really Prioritize

Stop chasing UX trends! Learn the 3 foundational skills that will future-proof your design career and make you more valuable than any trendy style.

The Role of UI Design in Creating Great User Experiences

Talia Hartwell

/

Aug 8, 2024

The Role of UI Design in Creating Great User Experiences

You can’t have a great UX without great UI. This blog breaks down what makes user interfaces intuitive, beautiful, and addictive, backed by real-world examples.

Christopher Nguyen

/

Jul 8, 2024

Are You Feeling Lonely At Work?

Discover the essential tips for employers to foster meaningful relationships at work, addressing the growing issue of workplace loneliness and enhancing employee well-being and productivity.

Management

Design Your Life: The Helpful Self-Care Tips for UX Designers

Christopher Nguyen

/

Jun 17, 2024

Design Your Life: The Helpful Self-Care Tips for UX Designers

Start designing your life today. Say goodbye to burnout and boost your mental health with these self-care tips for UX designers.

Soft Skills

Why Designers Shouldn't Take Things Personally

Christopher Nguyen

/

Jun 10, 2024

Why Designers Shouldn't Take Things Personally

Enhance your personal growth and transform your tech job hunt by learning why taking nothing personally is crucial. Discover strategies for resilience in the UX industry.

Soft Skills

Christopher Nguyen

/

Apr 22, 2024

Should We Be Using The Word “User”?

Dive into the conversation on tech language and its impact on user identity, from the early days of computing to the era of AI companions.

Tech

From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Interfaces: Mastering Feng Shui-Infused UX

Christopher Nguyen

/

Apr 15, 2024

From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Interfaces: Mastering Feng Shui-Infused UX

Explore the delicate balance of aesthetics and functionality in digital design through the lens of Feng Shui. Learn how to harness the principles of yin and yang to create digital environments that resonate with users.

Navigating the Maze of 'Good Enough' and Self-Worth.

Christopher Nguyen

/

Apr 8, 2024

Navigating the Maze of 'Good Enough' and Self-Worth.

Explore the art of embracing imperfection in the creative industry. A UX designer’s perspective on mastering the delicate balance of 'good enough' and self-worth.

Soft Skills

Christopher Nguyen

/

Apr 1, 2024

The Ultimate Brand Refresh Checklist

Discover the essential brand refresh checklist to determine if your brand needs a makeover. Explore reasons for rebranding, key elements to consider, and real-world examples from industry leaders like Apple, Nike, and Airbnb.

When It's Time to Quit: Wake-Up Calls You Can't Ignore

Christopher Nguyen

/

Mar 11, 2024

When It's Time to Quit: Wake-Up Calls You Can't Ignore

Staying in a job that breeds dissatisfaction can take a toll on your mental well-being, leading to increased anxiety, decreased motivation, and even symptoms of depression.

Your First 90 Days in a UX Design Role: A Strategic Guide

Christopher Nguyen

/

Dec 4, 2023

Your First 90 Days in a UX Design Role: A Strategic Guide

Transition from UX job search to career success with my expert 90-day onboarding guide. Learn to align with managerial goals, initiate impactful projects, and build lasting professional relationships in your new UX design role.

Job Search

How to Maximize Your UX Career with AI's Power: A Designer’s Guide to Rule AI

Christopher Nguyen

/

Nov 20, 2023

How to Maximize Your UX Career with AI's Power: A Designer’s Guide to Rule AI

UX Designers can be replaced by AI, until you know how to rule it. Discover how UX Designers can elevate AI power to level up and maximize your UX Design career.

Tech

Christopher Nguyen

/

Nov 13, 2023

7 UX Lessons from a Startup's Failure

Discover 7 transformative lessons from a startup's UX design failure. Uncover practical strategies for user feedback, testing, collaborative teamwork, and more, essential for UX and Product Designers.

Bridging Borders: Cross Cultural UX Design

Christopher Nguyen

/

Oct 22, 2023

Bridging Borders: Cross Cultural UX Design

Cross-cultural UX design is more than just a design approach; it's a mindset that recognizes the beauty of diversity and leverages it to create exceptional digital experiences.

Culture

Designing Without Data: Turning UX Constraints into Creativity

Christopher Nguyen

/

Oct 9, 2023

Designing Without Data: Turning UX Constraints into Creativity

Master the art of designing without data. Delve deep into assumption-based strategies, global trends, and advocacy tips to elevate your UX design game.

Navigating Your UX Career: Insights from Chris, Founder of UX Playbook

Christopher Nguyen

/

Hoa Nguyen

/

Oct 2, 2023

Navigating Your UX Career: Insights from Chris, Founder of UX Playbook

Christopher Nguyen, founder of UX Playbook, shares insights on UX roles, skills needed at different seniority levels, and career growth. He also outlines how beginners can evaluate good courses.

Promoted

UX Focus Mastery: Pomodoro Productivity Technique For Designers

Christopher Nguyen

/

Sep 18, 2023

UX Focus Mastery: Pomodoro Productivity Technique For Designers

Unlock the secrets to tripling productivity in UX Design jobs with Focus Mastery. Learn the Pomodoro Technique and optimize your design sprints for maximum efficiency and focus. Don't let distractions derail your career.

From Stress to Success: Mastering Burnout in UX Design

Christopher Nguyen

/

Aug 28, 2023

From Stress to Success: Mastering Burnout in UX Design

Embracing the reality of burnout and stress in the world of UX design is the first step towards building a resilient and successful career.

Soft Skills

How to Overcome Constraints in Small-Budget UX Projects

Christopher Nguyen

/

Aug 21, 2023

How to Overcome Constraints in Small-Budget UX Projects

Unlock the secrets to successful UX design on a budget with this in-depth guide. Discover proven strategies, affordable tools, and real-world examples to maximize quality without breaking the bank.

Soft Skills

The Secret to Overcoming Designer's Block

Christopher Nguyen

/

Aug 6, 2023

The Secret to Overcoming Designer's Block

Embrace the highs and lows, and remember that designer's block is just a temporary roadblock.

Soft Skills

10 Must-Read UX Design Books — Updated 2026

Christopher Nguyen

/

Jul 25, 2023

10 Must-Read UX Design Books — Updated 2026

Ex-Head of Design curates a list of the top 10 must-read UX design books for 2026.

UX Fundamentals

How to Design a Seamless UX with Zero UI — Updated 2026

Christopher Nguyen

/

Jul 17, 2023

How to Design a Seamless UX with Zero UI — Updated 2026

Learn how natural interactions, AI, and a deep understanding of user behaviours are shaping a seamless, human-centered user experience where technology adapts to us, not the other way around.

8 Figma Tips to Supercharge Your UI/UX Design Workflow

Christopher Nguyen

/

Jun 20, 2023

8 Figma Tips to Supercharge Your UI/UX Design Workflow

Discover how to supercharge your UI/UX design workflow with essential Figma tips. Learn to harness the power of Auto Layout, Variants, and more to create stunning, efficient designs.

Tech

8 Best UX Design Courses for Aspiring and Practicing UX Designers — Updated 2026

Christopher Nguyen

/

May 29, 2023

8 Best UX Design Courses for Aspiring and Practicing UX Designers — Updated 2026

Discover the pros, cons, and unique offerings of each UX course and find the perfect fit for your UX Design journey.

UX Fundamentals

The UX Designer's Survival Guide: 7 Daily Struggles and Solutions

Christopher Nguyen

/

May 8, 2023

The UX Designer's Survival Guide: 7 Daily Struggles and Solutions

Discover the ultimate UX Designer's Survival Guide, featuring 7 daily struggles and their effective solutions, empowering you to tackle challenges head-on and thrive in your UX career.