🐰How to "network" at design/UX events
So you’re going to a design event and you’re already thinking about how awkward the networking part is going to be. I get it. Standing around with a name tag trying to figure out who to talk to while everyone else seems to already know each other? Yeah, not fun.
But here’s what I’ve learned after way too many of these events: the people who are good at this aren’t naturally extroverted networking machines. They just figured out a few things that make it less painful.
This newsletter is brought to you by Learners. Learners just announced their full 2025/2026 lineup of events - including Research Week (free for you to come)!
Learners is a company that is passionate about bringing UX researchers together to collaborate and learn from each other. All Learners events are free - price should never be a barrier to learn. As a designer, attending UX research events will also benefit your career
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Tickets will be available Wednesday October 15, at 9am PT / 12pm ET
Check out joinlearners.com for all information regarding their events and tickets. Hope to see you there!
Before you go
Look up who’s going. Not in a stalker way, but if there’s an attendee list, scan through it. Find maybe 3-5 people whose work you actually like and have a reason to want to meet them. Like a real reason, not just “they work at a cool company.”
And please, don’t memorize some elevator pitch. Just be able to talk like a normal person about what you’re working on. “I’m trying to make online banking less terrible” is way better than “I’m a senior product designer specializing in fintech UX.”
When you’re actually there
Hang out near the coffee or food. People stop there naturally and they’re way more open to chatting while they’re waiting for their latte.
If you see two people talking, leave them alone. But if it’s three or more people in a circle and they’re not huddled super close? You can walk up and say “hey, mind if I join?” Most of the time they’ll be cool with it.
Actually talking to people
Ask them what they’re working on, not what their job title is. Way more interesting and people actually light up when they talk about their current projects.
Talk about what you’re struggling with, not just your wins. Everyone’s dealt with stakeholders who don’t get design or struggled to get buy-in for research. Real problems are relatable. Nobody cares about your perfect case study.
Let them talk more than you do. Ask follow-up questions. Be genuinely curious. That’s it, that’s the secret.
Before you ask for their contact info, try to actually help them with something. Send them an article, make an introduction, share something useful. Don’t just collect LinkedIn connections like Pokemon.
Following up (this is where everyone drops the ball)
Message them the next day. Reference something you actually talked about. “Hey, here’s that article about design systems I mentioned” or “Really enjoyed talking about anime art with you.”
Don’t just say “let’s keep in touch.” Suggest something specific like grabbing a virtual coffee in a couple weeks.
If you can connect them with someone else you met, do it. You become the person who makes things happen, not just another designer they met once.
Some things that actually work
If a few people want to grab dinner after, organize it. Small groups are where you actually get to know people.
Post about the event while you’re there on LinkedIn. Tag people. It gives others a reason to come say hi to you in person.
If you can volunteer or speak at these things, do it. People come to you, which is way easier than the other way around.
Don’t do this stuff
Don’t try to meet literally everyone there. A few real conversations beat a stack of business cards you’ll never look at again.
If you’re looking for a job or clients, don’t make that the first thing you talk about. Build actual relationships. The opportunities come later.
If someone follows up with you and you’re not interested, just be honest. A quick “thanks for reaching out, pretty swamped right now but good meeting you” is fine.
The actual truth
The best networking doesn’t feel like networking. You’re just talking to people about design stuff you both care about. Some of those people you’ll click with, some you won’t. That’s fine.
You’re not trying to meet everyone. You’re trying to find people who get why you spent an hour debating border radius options or why you actually care about loading states.
Everyone at these events is at least a little bit nervous, even the people who look super confident. The person standing by themselves checking their phone? They’d probably love someone to talk to.
That’s it. Go to the thing, talk to some people, follow up with the ones you actually connected with. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
Resources
🐰Fun video, how we made bunny games using Figma Make
Vibe coding with AI agents (fun short video), featuring Replit’s Agent 3! $10 free Replit credits for you to build
20% off for Mobbin, the world’s largest library of real-world design inspiration! https://mobbin.com/designbuddies
Events
[IRL LOS ANGELES] NLPs (No Lame Panels) The Creator X Founder Rooftop Party
Sat Oct 18, 2-6 pm: https://partiful.com/e/Fw375AdUp9pSwWRzYOaV
[Virtual] AMA w/Soleio (early designer at Facebook and Dropbox, and co-inventor of the Like Button) Mon Oct 20, 3 pm pacific: https://luma.com/t8lcptt0
[IRL LOS ANGELES] LA Crazy Rich Asians: FAANG++ & IVY/UC++ Gala (Non-Asians are WELCOME) Tue Nov 11, 6-9 pm RSVP
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Amazing! Your thoughts help a lot!