los angeles, United States
jessica brown
Student
Partner Event: Building a Better Community: Expanding the Impact of our Design Community
- Date and time
- Location
- Santa Monica, CA, United States
About the Meetup
Partner Event with LAUX Meetup:
Building a Better Community: Expanding the Impact of our Design Community
Purchase tickets here: https://www.meetup.com/ia-55/events/256918191/
As we wrap up the year, we reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re going, and we spend some time with the big questions. What is our place in a changing world? And how can our community make our shared experiences (“life”) even better?
In that spirit, the Los Angeles User Experience Meetup group is proud to announce an exciting discussion panel of Los Angeles based UX thought leaders including Nate Bolt, Grace Lau, Mike Estano, and Nuzi Barkatally, with Lex Roman as our moderator.
We’ll discuss how UX Designers can help each other - and the greater LA community - in the tech sector and as a larger society. As UX Designers, we train ourselves to empathize, solve problems, and anticipate the needs of our users and customers. Beyond our day jobs and gigs, are we applying our design thinking process to take care of ourselves and each other, too?
Join us for an evening of thoughtful conversation on how helping others is helping one’s self. We’ll ask the panelists: what are the benefits of being involved in the community and how has it shaped our panelists’ career paths?
Near the conclusion of the panel, we will cover how you can get involved in both the LAUX community and other civic organizations to help you and help others at the same time.
And finally, we’ll have a ~20 minute audience Q&A session.
Following the panel, we’ll have an after party holiday mixer so our panelists and attendees can continue the conversation at a nearby pub or bar.
About the Panelists & Moderator:
Nuzi Barkatally, UX Mentor Techstars
Nate Bolt, founder Ethnio
Mike Estano, UX Strategy/Creative Director UNICEF Kid Power
Grace Lau, UX Architect PatientPop
Arturo Perez, Founder Kluge Interactive <--- Just Added
Lex Roman, Growth Designer (Moderator)
Special thanks to our sponsors PatientPop!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Please purchase tickets here: https://www.meetup.com/ia-55/events/256918191/
Hosted By
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?
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.
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What goes on in an IxDF Local Group?
What goes on in an IxDF Local Group?
Your IxDF Local Leader organizes meetups based on what members want most. 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?
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.
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
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.
