IxDF Chicago: Meet & Mingle

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.

IxDF Zagreb

IxDF Accra

IxDF Oslo

IxDF Santo Domingo

IxDF Stockholm

IxDF Quebec

IxDF London

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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.

You don’t need to be a designer to have a seat at the table. IxDF Pune

Curiosity and good coffee are the only requirements. IxDF Santo Domingo

From designers to business thinkers, every voice adds value. IxDF Bordeaux

You don’t need to be a designer to think creatively. IxDF Chennai

Everyone here learns from each other and grows together. IxDF Salvador

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