I'm Femke – a senior product designer helping designers level up their design careers. Hey Reader, As we close out the year, I’m reflecting on the moments, tools, and creators that made 2024 one to remember. From milestones to unexpected lessons, this year had it all—and I’m sharing the highlights with you in the last newsletter of the year (and cheers to the next!) ✨ 🎉 300 episodes of Design Life! We hit the big 3-0-0! If you missed the celebration, catch the episode here. 👩💻 Three cohorts...
3 months ago • 3 min read
I'm Femke – a senior product designer helping designers level up their design careers. Hey Reader, As the year begins to dwindle with festivities, get-togethers, and cheer, one can’t help but think about what’s coming next—2025. What will it have in store for me? As designers, we often focus on creating for others, responsiveness, and ensuring all accessibility needs are met, but how often do we strategically craft opportunities for ourselves? Join us Dec 12 @ 2pm ET Join me on Dec 12 @ 2pm...
3 months ago • 3 min read
I'm Femke – a senior product designer helping designers level up their design careers. Hey Reader, As designers, we often wait for the perfect moment—a presentation, a meeting—to share our insights. But here’s the thing: don’t wait. Proactively share your thoughts, whether it’s in Slack, your team chat, or a quick email. Q&A with Ross Hatton in Product Strategy for Designer’s In this week’s Q&A with Ross Hatton in Product Strategy for Designer’s we talked about the importance of tying your...
4 months ago • 3 min read
I'm Femke – a senior product designer helping designers level up their design careers. Hey Reader, This past January, I gave a talk at the 10x Conference which set the stage for a gathering like no other - a beacon for designers eager to broaden their horizons, refine their craft, and connect with the creators of the design community. I aimed to share a transformative experience with my talk, The Influential Product Designer. Where I distilled years of navigating the complex web of product...
12 months ago • 2 min read
I'm Femke – a senior product designer helping designers level up their design careers. Hey Reader, This week, I want to touch on design systems and how they bridge the gap between design and development, but achieving seamless collaboration in this arena is a challenge many teams face. The key? It's not just about perfecting the system; it's about perfecting the process of collaboration and communication. In this video, Molly Hellmuth mentions how finding the perfect rhythm in collaborating...
about 1 year ago • 3 min read
I'm Femke – a senior product designer helping designers level up their design careers. Hey Reader, In a world where design trends shift quicker than a click, staying relevant isn't just about keeping up—it's about leading the charge. This week, I’m sharing my top resources to future-proofing your design skills. Explore insightful podcasts for a deep dive into innovative design approaches, and empower your skill set with courses. Keep reading to uncover skills and strategies that will elevate...
about 1 year ago • 2 min read
I'm Femke – a senior product designer helping designers level up their design careers. Hey Reader, Let's dive into the world of design feedback, shall we? I know, I know – it can feel like wading through murky waters at times, but let's clear things up. 👉 First up: Design crits. These informal, no-stress, all-chill sessions with your immediate design team are where the magic happens. You rock up with your work – messy, raw, maybe a bit of this, a bit of that – and just lay it out there. No...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
I'm Femke – a senior product designer helping designers level up their design careers. Hey Reader, We’re now deep into Fall here in Canada, and I've been having followers message me saying they’ve been feeling the itch to revisit and refresh their portfolio—maybe you're feeling the same? A design portfolio isn't just about showcasing work: it's your story, your journey, and the tangible reflection of your design thinking. I wanted to share a few of my videos that may resonate with you,...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
I'm Femke – a senior product designer helping designers level up their design careers. Hey Reader, Can you believe we're gearing up for another performance review season? Time flies when you're designing, iterating, and pushing boundaries, right? Each year, I take this moment to look back at my journey, the challenges overcome, and the lessons learned. Last year, I spilled the beans on my Year in Review performance document, and given the season, it feels like a good time to revisit that gem....
over 1 year ago • 3 min read
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