Johannesburg, South Africa
Chesway Slabbert
Untitled V.3.7 at DESIGNERD PTY LTD
Hi IxDF Johannesburg, let's meet online for our 2nd last even of 2020! Save the date, grab your laptop (or phone!), see you online!
Guest Speaker: Michael Brown (United States)

BIO: Michael Brown is a design leader with over two decades of experience translating customer-facing brands into
the digital-first, omnichannel customer experiences and organizational cultures which produce positive impacts
on conversion and innovation efficiency (CLTV, CAC & NPS). Most recently serving as Chief Design Officer at
Dick’s Sporting Goods, he has led cross-functional organizations to scalable products, services, and cultures
within retail, e-commerce, & SaaS leading design organizations at the likes of Amazon, SAP, Accenture,
Kodak, and more. His work has not only been featured in Eric Ries Lean Start Up and the Wall Street Journal,
but has also been awarded through IXDA’s Interaction Awards, UX Design Awards, Red Dot Design Awards,
and CMP’s Design & Innovation Award.
Michael prides himself as an executive who weighs and analyzes experience implications of established, new
and struggling business experiences including products, service and media touchpoints. Currently, Michael
serves as a connector of influential minds and emerging technology utilizing design thinking, business strategy
optimization, and storytelling to accelerate personal and professional brands.
As we will be limited with time, please submit your questions for the speaker by no later than 30 November 2020 @ 09:00 :ASK MICHAEL ANYTHING
Johannesburg, South Africa
Chesway Slabbert
Untitled V.3.7 at DESIGNERD PTY LTD
Meet people who love design as much as you do. Together we learn new skills, grow our networks, and discover new job opportunities.
An IxDF Local Group connects you with people in your city who are building and applying design skills in their work. Together, you'll strengthen your craft, expand your network, and put theory into practice.
IxDF Local Groups meet regularly in person at cafés, company offices, or creative spaces to share ideas, give feedback, run workshops, and learn from each other. Many groups also organize IxDF Design Dinners, where the conversation goes deeper over a meal. These aren't just social events. Members find collaborators, clients, job leads, and future teammates through them.
You'll also have access to a private online forum where you can get career advice, honest feedback, and support from people who understand the work.
You don't need to have a "designer" title to join. If you care about how design shapes products, careers, and organizations, you belong here.
Join and you'll discover new skills, explore job opportunities, and build relationships with people who understand the power of great design.
Your IxDF Local Leader organizes meetups based on what members want most. As an IxDF member, you can also plan and create your own meetups. Sessions range from hands-on and structured to relaxed and informal.
Some examples of what you'll find:
Presentations from local designers, followed by Q&A
Lightning talks where members share lessons learned from real projects
Workshops where you work through a real design challenge together
Portfolio reviews where you get honest, practical feedback
Coffee meetups and design dinners with open conversations about where the industry is heading
Any member can propose, organize and post a meetup. You don't have to wait for your Local Leader to take the initiative.
What stays consistent is the people. You'll find designers and professionals who ask good questions, share what they know, and show up for each other between meetups too.
Yes, absolutely!
Design skills make you more effective in any role. Product managers, developers, marketers, researchers, and founders all work better when they understand how to think like a designer.
IxDF Local Groups reflect that. Members come from all kinds of professional backgrounds, not just design. What they share is an interest in how design shapes products, decisions, and careers.
You'll fit right in regardless of your background.
In a world that's getting more artificial and competitive, IxDF brings the heart back, so you never have to face the job market alone.
Learn together, get mentored, find your next job, and build friendships that grow your career.