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...
30 days 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...
9 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...
10 months 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...
11 months 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...
about 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,...
about 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....
about 1 year ago • 3 min read
I'm Femke – a senior product designer helping designers level up their design careers. Hey Reader, Haptics and micro-interactions: two buzzwords you might've encountered, especially in a professional context. What distinguishes them, and why are they so important right now? Let's dive in. 👉 Haptics At its core, haptics deal with the sense of touch. In the realm of technology and design, it refers to the use of tactile feedback to enhance user experiences. Think of the subtle vibration when...
about 1 year ago • 3 min read
I'm Femke – a senior product designer helping designers level up their design careers. Hey Reader, Our recent dive into the Salary Transparency Survey has unveiled some fascinating insights, and we can't wait to share them! Interested in all results? Read more here. 1. Role & Employment: A substantial 88.8% of you are crafting magic in the realm of product/UX design, with 87.4% living that full-time life. 2. Geography & Identity: The design pulse is strong in North America—home to 50.9% of...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
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