Chicago, United States
Mila Shumilina
Senior UX Designer at Examity
Join us for a groundbreaking design event like no other! NOD Agency, in alliance with IxDF Chicago, proudly presents an exclusive design challenge just for IxDF members. This isn't merely a contest—it's an extraordinary opportunity to apply your creative ideas to real-world scenarios.

© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 4.0
Visualize working on a live project, transforming your design theories into tangible results for a genuine client. This isn't a hypothetical exercise—we're offering a real-world application of your skills. Going a step further, your work will be thoroughly reviewed and critiqued by the leaders of IxDF Chicago.
What could be more enriching than enhancing your portfolio with a project grounded in practical experience and endorsed by industry credentials? We provide a platform where your design endeavors are not only fostered but celebrated, scrutinized, and honed. Your completed project, emblematic of your skills and determination, will stand out as a noteworthy addition to your professional portfolio.
This design challenge also creates avenues for networking with a vibrant community of like-minded IxDF members and industry professionals. Engage, learn, and expand within a community that echoes your passion and ambition.
The "NOD Agency x IxDF Chicago Design Challenge" is more than just a competition—it's a springboard for boosting your portfolio through real-world client experience, valuable feedback from seasoned UX professionals, and the promotion of your work on Behance, all under the prestigious banners of IxDF and NOD. Join us and seize this extraordinary opportunity to shine, grow, and most importantly, innovate. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the unique creativity you'll bring to the table!
Meeting link: https://examity.zoom.us/j/98352696552?pwd=TThLZEl5My9UMS9NMGo3bFB4akYrQT09
Chicago, United States
Mila Shumilina
Senior UX Designer at Examity
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. 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.