IxDF Dubai – 2026 Kickoff Online Meetup

Date and time
Location
Online

About the Meetup

IxDF Dubai | 2026 Kickoff Online Meetup

Illustration of designers and product thinkers gathered in Dubai with Burj Khalifa in the background, representing a 2026 design, UX, product, and AI community meetup.

Starting 2026 together with the IxDF Dubai design, UX, product, and AI community.

© Interaction Design Foundation (IxDF) – IxDF Dubai Community

A new year is more than a calendar change.

It’s a chance to reconnect, reset, and build new paths together.

We’re excited to invite you to the first IxDF Dubai online meetup of the year, a relaxed and welcoming session to kick off 2026 as a community.

🤖 In the new world of product development, AI is no longer just a tool.

It is reshaping how we understand users, design experiences, test ideas, and grow products — from data-informed decision-making and personalization to the emergence of new roles for designers, product managers, and UX teams.

This meetup is about bringing people together.

It’s a space to get to know one another, share perspectives, and start meaningful conversations at the evolving intersection of Design, UX, Product, and AI. It’s also a moment to reflect on our role in this new landscape and how we want to move forward together.

✨ What this session is about:

  • Reconnecting with the IxDF Dubai community and welcoming new members

  • Getting to know each other’s backgrounds, interests, and goals for the year ahead

  • Discussing how AI is redefining product, UX, and design practices in 2026

  • Exploring how we can navigate change thoughtfully and grow together as a community

☕ This is not a formal talk or a heavy presentation.

It’s a friendly, open space to talk, listen, ask questions, and set the tone for the year ahead.

Whether you’re:

  • An experienced designer or product thinker

  • Early in your UX or product journey

  • Or simply curious about how AI and product design are coming together

You’re very welcome here. Your perspective matters.

Let’s start 2026 together with conversation, collaboration, and intentional product and design work in the age of AI.

We look forward to seeing you online.

Parnaz Kazemi

IxDF Dubai | Local Leader

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Hosted By

  • IxDF
 Local Leader
    IxDF Local Leader distinction: Local Leader of an IxDF Local Group
  • IxDF 
Community Leader
    IxDF Community Leader distinction: Awarded for serving as an influential IxDF community leader
  • IxDF Connected Professional
    IxDF Connected Professional distinction: Attended 10 or more IxDF Meetups
  • IxDF 
Community Explorer
    IxDF Community Explorer distinction: Attended 3 IxDF Meetups
  • More distinctions
    +4

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Parnaz Kazemi

Product Design Lead and Manager at ISC

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.

Questions? We've Got Answers

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

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.

What goes on in an IxDF Local Group?

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.

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

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.

Get a Place To Belong.
Meet the Right People

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.

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