Chris from UX Playbook ⚡️
@uxchrisnguyen.bsky.social
I help UX designers go from Fuzziness to Focused to Freedom
Finding a UX job is like dating.
We all go through these 5 steps:
We all go through these 5 steps:
December 20, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Finding a UX job is like dating.
We all go through these 5 steps:
We all go through these 5 steps:
Zuck just stole from Tim Cook.
Not IP
Not data
Not chips
Designers.
Not IP
Not data
Not chips
Designers.
December 16, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Zuck just stole from Tim Cook.
Not IP
Not data
Not chips
Designers.
Not IP
Not data
Not chips
Designers.
UX trends DON'T matter.
It WON'T make you a better designer. THIS will...
It WON'T make you a better designer. THIS will...
December 14, 2025 at 1:22 AM
UX trends DON'T matter.
It WON'T make you a better designer. THIS will...
It WON'T make you a better designer. THIS will...
If you’re a designer with a portfolio, read this:
101 portfolio tips in 12 categories:
(which took me 10 years to learn)
101 portfolio tips in 12 categories:
(which took me 10 years to learn)
December 13, 2025 at 1:47 AM
If you’re a designer with a portfolio, read this:
101 portfolio tips in 12 categories:
(which took me 10 years to learn)
101 portfolio tips in 12 categories:
(which took me 10 years to learn)
UX Designer expectations:
• Clear role, clear tasks
• Total creative freedom
• Portfolio = Dream job, fast
• 90% of time spent in Figma
• Work with cutting-edge tech
• Everyone will love my designs
• Job: Make things "look pretty"
• Linear process: research → prototype → ship
• Clear role, clear tasks
• Total creative freedom
• Portfolio = Dream job, fast
• 90% of time spent in Figma
• Work with cutting-edge tech
• Everyone will love my designs
• Job: Make things "look pretty"
• Linear process: research → prototype → ship
December 11, 2025 at 1:58 AM
UX Designer expectations:
• Clear role, clear tasks
• Total creative freedom
• Portfolio = Dream job, fast
• 90% of time spent in Figma
• Work with cutting-edge tech
• Everyone will love my designs
• Job: Make things "look pretty"
• Linear process: research → prototype → ship
• Clear role, clear tasks
• Total creative freedom
• Portfolio = Dream job, fast
• 90% of time spent in Figma
• Work with cutting-edge tech
• Everyone will love my designs
• Job: Make things "look pretty"
• Linear process: research → prototype → ship
Figma valued at $20B.
Notion valued at $12B.
Canva valued at $42B.
Airbnb valued at $78B.
Pinterest valued at $22B.
Instagram valued at $100B.
All founded by designers.
Notion valued at $12B.
Canva valued at $42B.
Airbnb valued at $78B.
Pinterest valued at $22B.
Instagram valued at $100B.
All founded by designers.
December 9, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Figma valued at $20B.
Notion valued at $12B.
Canva valued at $42B.
Airbnb valued at $78B.
Pinterest valued at $22B.
Instagram valued at $100B.
All founded by designers.
Notion valued at $12B.
Canva valued at $42B.
Airbnb valued at $78B.
Pinterest valued at $22B.
Instagram valued at $100B.
All founded by designers.
If UX Designers have a yearly wrapped...
(2025 version)
———
♻️ Repost if this is even slightly true for you
(2025 version)
———
♻️ Repost if this is even slightly true for you
December 6, 2025 at 1:54 AM
If UX Designers have a yearly wrapped...
(2025 version)
———
♻️ Repost if this is even slightly true for you
(2025 version)
———
♻️ Repost if this is even slightly true for you
I know many designers living in chaos.
- Files named "final_final_v3"
- Sticky notes everywhere
- Coffee stained desks
- Messy workspaces
- Endless to-do lists
- 99 tabs opened
I used to be one of them!
Then, I discovered Notion, which literally changed my work (and life).
- Files named "final_final_v3"
- Sticky notes everywhere
- Coffee stained desks
- Messy workspaces
- Endless to-do lists
- 99 tabs opened
I used to be one of them!
Then, I discovered Notion, which literally changed my work (and life).
December 3, 2025 at 1:04 PM
I know many designers living in chaos.
- Files named "final_final_v3"
- Sticky notes everywhere
- Coffee stained desks
- Messy workspaces
- Endless to-do lists
- 99 tabs opened
I used to be one of them!
Then, I discovered Notion, which literally changed my work (and life).
- Files named "final_final_v3"
- Sticky notes everywhere
- Coffee stained desks
- Messy workspaces
- Endless to-do lists
- 99 tabs opened
I used to be one of them!
Then, I discovered Notion, which literally changed my work (and life).
I study these 7 sites
(not for inspiration)
The internet is full of “inspirational” portfolios.
Sadly, most designers copy the wrong things ↓
(not for inspiration)
The internet is full of “inspirational” portfolios.
Sadly, most designers copy the wrong things ↓
December 2, 2025 at 1:11 AM
I study these 7 sites
(not for inspiration)
The internet is full of “inspirational” portfolios.
Sadly, most designers copy the wrong things ↓
(not for inspiration)
The internet is full of “inspirational” portfolios.
Sadly, most designers copy the wrong things ↓
My biggest sale ends in a few hours…
If you miss it, you might have to wait another 365 days!
If you miss it, you might have to wait another 365 days!
December 1, 2025 at 1:56 AM
My biggest sale ends in a few hours…
If you miss it, you might have to wait another 365 days!
If you miss it, you might have to wait another 365 days!
I just saw a $16,450 UX bootcamp Ad:
“Master UX in 12 weeks”
“Master UX in 12 weeks”
November 30, 2025 at 1:55 AM
I just saw a $16,450 UX bootcamp Ad:
“Master UX in 12 weeks”
“Master UX in 12 weeks”
14 portfolios that inspire me:
(2025 edition — save them quick)
(2025 edition — save them quick)
November 29, 2025 at 1:23 AM
14 portfolios that inspire me:
(2025 edition — save them quick)
(2025 edition — save them quick)
I’ve reviewed 836+ resumes
78% designers made these 3 mistakes:
78% designers made these 3 mistakes:
November 28, 2025 at 1:59 AM
I’ve reviewed 836+ resumes
78% designers made these 3 mistakes:
78% designers made these 3 mistakes:
Design can’t live without research
Yet most companies don’t have a research practice
Without research, designers are flying blind
Which leads to:
→ Surface-level insights
→ Lack of decision clarity
→ More + more iterations
→ Building the wrong thing
We’ve all been there
Yet most companies don’t have a research practice
Without research, designers are flying blind
Which leads to:
→ Surface-level insights
→ Lack of decision clarity
→ More + more iterations
→ Building the wrong thing
We’ve all been there
November 27, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Design can’t live without research
Yet most companies don’t have a research practice
Without research, designers are flying blind
Which leads to:
→ Surface-level insights
→ Lack of decision clarity
→ More + more iterations
→ Building the wrong thing
We’ve all been there
Yet most companies don’t have a research practice
Without research, designers are flying blind
Which leads to:
→ Surface-level insights
→ Lack of decision clarity
→ More + more iterations
→ Building the wrong thing
We’ve all been there
2 types of UX designers exist:
A. Those who have their process figured out
B. And those who don't
A. Those who have their process figured out
B. And those who don't
November 26, 2025 at 1:57 AM
2 types of UX designers exist:
A. Those who have their process figured out
B. And those who don't
A. Those who have their process figured out
B. And those who don't
UX career path: Junior to Manager
(it's simpler than you think)
(it's simpler than you think)
November 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
UX career path: Junior to Manager
(it's simpler than you think)
(it's simpler than you think)
My income as a designer:
Year 1: $24k
Year 2: $54k
Year 3: $72k
Year 4: $105k
Then I quit (and went solo):
Year 1: $60k
Year 2: $120k
Then I started UX Playbook:
Year 1: $58k
Year 2: $160k
Year 3: $200k (projected)
Year 1: $24k
Year 2: $54k
Year 3: $72k
Year 4: $105k
Then I quit (and went solo):
Year 1: $60k
Year 2: $120k
Then I started UX Playbook:
Year 1: $58k
Year 2: $160k
Year 3: $200k (projected)
November 24, 2025 at 1:24 AM
My income as a designer:
Year 1: $24k
Year 2: $54k
Year 3: $72k
Year 4: $105k
Then I quit (and went solo):
Year 1: $60k
Year 2: $120k
Then I started UX Playbook:
Year 1: $58k
Year 2: $160k
Year 3: $200k (projected)
Year 1: $24k
Year 2: $54k
Year 3: $72k
Year 4: $105k
Then I quit (and went solo):
Year 1: $60k
Year 2: $120k
Then I started UX Playbook:
Year 1: $58k
Year 2: $160k
Year 3: $200k (projected)
Portfolio mistakes that cost Alison job offers:
(even with 15+ years at IBM)
(even with 15+ years at IBM)
November 23, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Portfolio mistakes that cost Alison job offers:
(even with 15+ years at IBM)
(even with 15+ years at IBM)
I get asked a common question by Junior Designers:
“Is wireframe really necessary?”
My answer: HELL. YES.
Here’s why:
“Is wireframe really necessary?”
My answer: HELL. YES.
Here’s why:
November 21, 2025 at 1:46 AM
I get asked a common question by Junior Designers:
“Is wireframe really necessary?”
My answer: HELL. YES.
Here’s why:
“Is wireframe really necessary?”
My answer: HELL. YES.
Here’s why:
The magic of design is at the intersection of…
𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 + 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 + 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴
Some designers don’t get this
Their approach is cookie-cutter
Their portfolios lack personality
Their work looks like everyone else's
Then they wonder why they're not standing out
𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 + 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 + 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴
Some designers don’t get this
Their approach is cookie-cutter
Their portfolios lack personality
Their work looks like everyone else's
Then they wonder why they're not standing out
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 AM
The magic of design is at the intersection of…
𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 + 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 + 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴
Some designers don’t get this
Their approach is cookie-cutter
Their portfolios lack personality
Their work looks like everyone else's
Then they wonder why they're not standing out
𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 + 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 + 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴
Some designers don’t get this
Their approach is cookie-cutter
Their portfolios lack personality
Their work looks like everyone else's
Then they wonder why they're not standing out
I laughed at Apple's new $230 sock.
I thought to myself:
"It's useless"
"Who’d buy that?"
"Apple has lost it"
But then…
I thought to myself:
"It's useless"
"Who’d buy that?"
"Apple has lost it"
But then…
November 20, 2025 at 1:18 AM
I laughed at Apple's new $230 sock.
I thought to myself:
"It's useless"
"Who’d buy that?"
"Apple has lost it"
But then…
I thought to myself:
"It's useless"
"Who’d buy that?"
"Apple has lost it"
But then…
UX Designers, if you don't know these sites
You’re missing out:
You’re missing out:
November 18, 2025 at 1:51 AM
UX Designers, if you don't know these sites
You’re missing out:
You’re missing out:
Work at a startup they said…
Felt this pain? Repost ♻️ and lmk.
Felt this pain? Repost ♻️ and lmk.
November 17, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Work at a startup they said…
Felt this pain? Repost ♻️ and lmk.
Felt this pain? Repost ♻️ and lmk.
How I changed a designer’s career
(in just 2.5 months)
(in just 2.5 months)
November 16, 2025 at 1:55 AM
How I changed a designer’s career
(in just 2.5 months)
(in just 2.5 months)
Design isn’t just Figma.
It’s actually:
It’s actually:
November 15, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Design isn’t just Figma.
It’s actually:
It’s actually: