Is UX Design & Research Actually Worth It?

Add to your calendar:

We often talk about the value of design and research, but how often do we prove it?

In this upcoming IxDF Pretoria meetup, we’re thrilled to welcome Tenaya Douglas , Head of Design at Monkey & River and Co-founder of Azi. Tenaya will share a pragmatic approach to UX design and research, grounded in experience, impact, and business relevance.

This session is perfect for:

✨ UX professionals navigating real-world constraints

✨ Researchers looking to connect insight with impact

✨ Product teams building smarter, not just faster

What to expect:

🛠 When user research makes a difference

⚖️ Balancing rigour with delivery

📈 Making the business case for UX

👉 RSVP and bring a friend (if attending in-person): https://forms.gle/jx7WDBgxYdwW1PPL7

View meetup details

Is UX Design & Research Actually Worth It?

Design Dinner

Date
Time
IxDF Pretoria
1+ people going
Address

Monkey & River

200 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Highveld Techno Park, Centurion (In-Person & Online)

Free to Join

Attendance is free.

No IxDF membership required.

Why Join?

Meet people who love design as much as you do. Together we learn new skills, grow our networks, and discover new job opportunities.

Join us to make lifelong friendships over coffee and a shared love of design! ❤️

Meetup Conversation

View Mariska Meyers

by Mariska Meyers

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Hi all! Please use this conversation thread to discuss Is UX Design & Research Actually Worth It? held on Jul 24, 2025. Feel free to ask questions about the place, date and time, agenda of the meeting, or anything else.
1
  1. View Mariska Meyers

    by Mariska Meyers

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    Hi everyone, for those of you joining us in-person tonight.

    Please make sure to arrive at the venue around 5:45 pm, as we need to start at 6:00 pm sharp to ensure we cover all our talking points this evening.

    And then bring your laptop or notebook with also, as it will be an interactive talk.

    We can't wait to see you there! ⭐

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  2. View Leah Nkambule

    by Leah Nkambule

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    Thanks Mariska, looking forward to it. Just checking Monkey and River is the company name right? So its at the office park in Highveld?

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    View Mariska Meyers

    by Mariska Meyers

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    Hi Leah, yes that’s correct

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Local Leaders of IxDF Pretoria

Dedre Matthysen

Dedre Matthysen

UX/UI Designer

Centurion, Wierdapark, South Africa
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    Attending 10 IxDF Meetups shows you’ve built meaningful connections, contributed your voice, and become a recognized part of the IxDF community. This distinction honors your ongoing engagement and the real opportunities it creates for your growth, visibility, and impact.
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Wouter Kirstein

Wouter Kirstein

UX | Creative Technologist

Centurion, South Africa
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    IxDF Educational Partner distinction: Share your knowledge and passion by writing posts or articles that link to IxDF resources with your referral code in the link. When 12 people join through your content, you earn this prestigious distinction. As an IxDF Educational Partner, you help grow the global design community, empower more people to succeed in their careers—and establish yourself as a leader in design education.
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karabo Ngoatle

karabo Ngoatle

Founder

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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Mariska Meyers

Mariska Meyers

Product Designer

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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  • IxDF Connected Professional
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Questions? We've Got Answers

What is an IxDF Local Group and why should I join one?

An IxDF Local Group is a meeting point for people with a passion for design in your city.

You don't need to be a designer, just passionate about great design and how it can improve your work and career.

Meetups are the heartbeat of IxDF Local Groups, whether we meet at a café, a creative space or a local company. There's nothing quite like the magic of meeting face-to-face to share ideas and inspiration.

We also host regular IxDF Design Dinners, where we enjoy great food and help each other learn and grow. Even a simple coffee meetup in a café can ignite collaborations and friendships that last a lifetime.

You'll also have a private and exclusive online forum where you can openly get help and career advice.

Simply put, we learn together and smile together.

You'll expand your career network, discover new skills, explore job opportunities, meet potential clients, or even find your next dedicated team member when you join an xDF Local Group.

Remember: Your network is your net worth.

What goes on in an IxDF Local Group?

Your IxDF Local Group is led by an IxDF Local Leader and serves as a vibrant hub where you can network, learn and grow.

Here's what you can expect:

  • A community of professionals from all walks of life, who share a passion for great design and how it can benefit their career, their company, and society in general.

  • Meetups are the heartbeat of IxDF Local Groups, whether we meet at a café or a creative space. There's nothing quite like the magic of meeting face-to-face to share ideas and inspiration.

  • We also host regular IxDF Design Dinners, where we enjoy great food and help each other learn and grow. Even a simple coffee meetup in a cafe can ignite collaborations and friendships that last a lifetime.

  • You don't have to be a designer, just passionate about great design and how it can improve your work and career. Design skills make you valuable - in any job and any industry.

  • You'll also have a private and exclusive online forum where you can openly get help and career advice.

  • We help each other find new career opportunities and jobs.

  • We also host more formal workshops to share knowledge and learn from each other, e.g., case studies, success stories and practical experiences.

  • We have ongoing conversations about current design topics and local opportunities, which can help you stay ahead of industry developments and identify career opportunities.

  • And lastly, peer-led sessions focused on specific design challenges that will help you build expertise and sharpen your problem-solving skills.

In other words, we learn together and smile together. We lift each other up.

I'm not even a designer. Should I still join an IxDF Local Group?

Yes, absolutely!

IxDF Local Groups are for everyone, regardless of your professional background.

Design skills make you valuable. In any job and any industry. That's why our IxDF Local Groups are not just for professional designers. They're communities of professionals from all walks of life, who share a passion for great design and how it can benefit their career, their company, and society in general.

No matter what your job currently is, you'll find a supportive community to connect and grow with.

Each meetup is a chance to grow, learn, and connect with passionate professionals like yourself. Even small gatherings create big opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Learn Together.
Smile Together

In a world that's getting more artificial, lonely, and competitive, IxDF brings the heart back.

We're a community with heart and soul, so you never have to face the job market alone. At IxDF, we lift each other up, learn together, and spark friendships that grow your career.

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