Chris from UX Playbook ⚡️
@uxchrisnguyen.bsky.social
I help UX designers go from Fuzziness to Focused to Freedom
📰 Design content too serious for you? Then you’ll love my silly (yet informative) newsletter.
Read my 2-minute email each week here: newsletter.uxplaybook.org
Read my 2-minute email each week here: newsletter.uxplaybook.org
Play of the Week
UX newsletter sharing 1 actionable framework or hack to help you grow your UX Career. Every Wednesday - 5 minutes or less.
newsletter.uxplaybook.org
December 20, 2025 at 1:59 AM
📰 Design content too serious for you? Then you’ll love my silly (yet informative) newsletter.
Read my 2-minute email each week here: newsletter.uxplaybook.org
Read my 2-minute email each week here: newsletter.uxplaybook.org
5. The relationship DTR (Define The Relationship) moment AKA your offer/rejection. Either pop champagne or a breakup text. Either way, learn, grow, and get back out there.
The worst thing you can do is get into a toxic relationship.
Spend time.
Find the one.
Don’t settle.
🫳🎤
The worst thing you can do is get into a toxic relationship.
Spend time.
Find the one.
Don’t settle.
🫳🎤
December 20, 2025 at 1:58 AM
5. The relationship DTR (Define The Relationship) moment AKA your offer/rejection. Either pop champagne or a breakup text. Either way, learn, grow, and get back out there.
The worst thing you can do is get into a toxic relationship.
Spend time.
Find the one.
Don’t settle.
🫳🎤
The worst thing you can do is get into a toxic relationship.
Spend time.
Find the one.
Don’t settle.
🫳🎤
4. Meeting their friends AKA team interviews. Be real. Be a human. Say I don’t know. Say I failed. Don’t be a UX buzzword generator.
December 20, 2025 at 1:58 AM
4. Meeting their friends AKA team interviews. Be real. Be a human. Say I don’t know. Say I failed. Don’t be a UX buzzword generator.
3. The “what do you do?” convo AKA your portfolio presentation. Don’t overshare. Tell tight, interesting stories:
• Problem → Solution → Impact → Process (truncated)
• Get to the meat fast (no life story)
• 10-12 slides MAX
• Problem → Solution → Impact → Process (truncated)
• Get to the meat fast (no life story)
• 10-12 slides MAX
December 20, 2025 at 1:58 AM
3. The “what do you do?” convo AKA your portfolio presentation. Don’t overshare. Tell tight, interesting stories:
• Problem → Solution → Impact → Process (truncated)
• Get to the meat fast (no life story)
• 10-12 slides MAX
• Problem → Solution → Impact → Process (truncated)
• Get to the meat fast (no life story)
• 10-12 slides MAX
1. Your dating app profile AKA your portfolio. And looks matter (at first). Make it swipe-right worthy.
2. The first coffee date AKA the phone screen. Keep it casual, honest, and don't mention how much your hate your ex (aka your previous job).
2. The first coffee date AKA the phone screen. Keep it casual, honest, and don't mention how much your hate your ex (aka your previous job).
December 20, 2025 at 1:57 AM
1. Your dating app profile AKA your portfolio. And looks matter (at first). Make it swipe-right worthy.
2. The first coffee date AKA the phone screen. Keep it casual, honest, and don't mention how much your hate your ex (aka your previous job).
2. The first coffee date AKA the phone screen. Keep it casual, honest, and don't mention how much your hate your ex (aka your previous job).
📌 Find out what’s happening in our industry, 2-minutes weekly, subscribe to: newsletter.uxplaybook.org
Play of the Week
UX newsletter sharing 1 actionable framework or hack to help you grow your UX Career. Every Wednesday - 5 minutes or less.
newsletter.uxplaybook.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:01 AM
📌 Find out what’s happening in our industry, 2-minutes weekly, subscribe to: newsletter.uxplaybook.org
Design isn’t JUST a decoration.
Design is a strategy.
Design matters.
And big tech knows this.
Could this be a big design power shift in tech? If so…
It’s about time.
🫳🎤
P.S. Are designers needed more now than ever? Or is this just another trend? What's your take?
Design is a strategy.
Design matters.
And big tech knows this.
Could this be a big design power shift in tech? If so…
It’s about time.
🫳🎤
P.S. Are designers needed more now than ever? Or is this just another trend? What's your take?
December 16, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Design isn’t JUST a decoration.
Design is a strategy.
Design matters.
And big tech knows this.
Could this be a big design power shift in tech? If so…
It’s about time.
🫳🎤
P.S. Are designers needed more now than ever? Or is this just another trend? What's your take?
Design is a strategy.
Design matters.
And big tech knows this.
Could this be a big design power shift in tech? If so…
It’s about time.
🫳🎤
P.S. Are designers needed more now than ever? Or is this just another trend? What's your take?
AI makes products smart.
Design makes products loved.
A new era where:
— Interfaces are multimodal
— Design moves back to the C-suite
— Wearables blend hardware & fashion
— Intelligence becomes a design material
Design makes products loved.
A new era where:
— Interfaces are multimodal
— Design moves back to the C-suite
— Wearables blend hardware & fashion
— Intelligence becomes a design material
December 16, 2025 at 1:59 AM
AI makes products smart.
Design makes products loved.
A new era where:
— Interfaces are multimodal
— Design moves back to the C-suite
— Wearables blend hardware & fashion
— Intelligence becomes a design material
Design makes products loved.
A new era where:
— Interfaces are multimodal
— Design moves back to the C-suite
— Wearables blend hardware & fashion
— Intelligence becomes a design material
Meta isn’t alone, there’s a power shift happening…
Jony Ive → OpenAI
Mauro Porcini → Samsung
Joe Gebbia → CDO of USA
This is the start of a new wave.
Even in a layoff-heavy market, CDOs and design leaders are suddenly the hottest hires.
Companies finally get it.
Jony Ive → OpenAI
Mauro Porcini → Samsung
Joe Gebbia → CDO of USA
This is the start of a new wave.
Even in a layoff-heavy market, CDOs and design leaders are suddenly the hottest hires.
Companies finally get it.
December 16, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Meta isn’t alone, there’s a power shift happening…
Jony Ive → OpenAI
Mauro Porcini → Samsung
Joe Gebbia → CDO of USA
This is the start of a new wave.
Even in a layoff-heavy market, CDOs and design leaders are suddenly the hottest hires.
Companies finally get it.
Jony Ive → OpenAI
Mauro Porcini → Samsung
Joe Gebbia → CDO of USA
This is the start of a new wave.
Even in a layoff-heavy market, CDOs and design leaders are suddenly the hottest hires.
Companies finally get it.
Billy Sorrentino — 10yrs at Apple
Alan Dye — 19yrs at Apple
Both Design Leaders.
Meta built a new creative studio inside Reality Labs.
They didn’t call it “design & tech”
They called it “design, fashion, and intelligence”
AI isn’t just engineering anymore.
Its design.
Alan Dye — 19yrs at Apple
Both Design Leaders.
Meta built a new creative studio inside Reality Labs.
They didn’t call it “design & tech”
They called it “design, fashion, and intelligence”
AI isn’t just engineering anymore.
Its design.
December 16, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Billy Sorrentino — 10yrs at Apple
Alan Dye — 19yrs at Apple
Both Design Leaders.
Meta built a new creative studio inside Reality Labs.
They didn’t call it “design & tech”
They called it “design, fashion, and intelligence”
AI isn’t just engineering anymore.
Its design.
Alan Dye — 19yrs at Apple
Both Design Leaders.
Meta built a new creative studio inside Reality Labs.
They didn’t call it “design & tech”
They called it “design, fashion, and intelligence”
AI isn’t just engineering anymore.
Its design.
❌ Trends come and go.
✅ Strong problem-solving skills are timeless.
✅ Execution velocity is what set you apart.
✅ Great mental models help you think.
Ready to build up your design instincts?
This will help → uxplaybook.org/userexperience
✅ Strong problem-solving skills are timeless.
✅ Execution velocity is what set you apart.
✅ Great mental models help you think.
Ready to build up your design instincts?
This will help → uxplaybook.org/userexperience
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December 14, 2025 at 1:25 AM
❌ Trends come and go.
✅ Strong problem-solving skills are timeless.
✅ Execution velocity is what set you apart.
✅ Great mental models help you think.
Ready to build up your design instincts?
This will help → uxplaybook.org/userexperience
✅ Strong problem-solving skills are timeless.
✅ Execution velocity is what set you apart.
✅ Great mental models help you think.
Ready to build up your design instincts?
This will help → uxplaybook.org/userexperience
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 (𝗦𝗿. 𝗨𝗫 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿) 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱:
“Chris did a great job of elaborating tips and tricks on how to improve your skillsets as a UX Designer.”
“Chris did a great job of elaborating tips and tricks on how to improve your skillsets as a UX Designer.”
December 14, 2025 at 1:24 AM
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 (𝗦𝗿. 𝗨𝗫 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿) 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱:
“Chris did a great job of elaborating tips and tricks on how to improve your skillsets as a UX Designer.”
“Chris did a great job of elaborating tips and tricks on how to improve your skillsets as a UX Designer.”
That’s why designers love UX Playbook 💚
It strengthens core skills with tools and frameworks.
𝗔𝗻𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻 (𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿) 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱:
“My AHA moment with this guide is the extra resources you throw in for us to get started on our project.”
It strengthens core skills with tools and frameworks.
𝗔𝗻𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻 (𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿) 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱:
“My AHA moment with this guide is the extra resources you throw in for us to get started on our project.”
December 14, 2025 at 1:24 AM
That’s why designers love UX Playbook 💚
It strengthens core skills with tools and frameworks.
𝗔𝗻𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻 (𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿) 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱:
“My AHA moment with this guide is the extra resources you throw in for us to get started on our project.”
It strengthens core skills with tools and frameworks.
𝗔𝗻𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻 (𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿) 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱:
“My AHA moment with this guide is the extra resources you throw in for us to get started on our project.”
➡️ 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲
↳ Sharpen your instincts by designing a lot.
↳ Show work early for a quicker feedback loop.
But maybe you’re saying:
— I don’t have the tools
— I don’t know who can help
— I don’t know where to start
↳ Sharpen your instincts by designing a lot.
↳ Show work early for a quicker feedback loop.
But maybe you’re saying:
— I don’t have the tools
— I don’t know who can help
— I don’t know where to start
December 14, 2025 at 1:23 AM
➡️ 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲
↳ Sharpen your instincts by designing a lot.
↳ Show work early for a quicker feedback loop.
But maybe you’re saying:
— I don’t have the tools
— I don’t know who can help
— I don’t know where to start
↳ Sharpen your instincts by designing a lot.
↳ Show work early for a quicker feedback loop.
But maybe you’re saying:
— I don’t have the tools
— I don’t know who can help
— I don’t know where to start
➡️ 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀
↳ Study the work of experienced designers.
↳ Their process, their decisions, their output.
➡️ 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗹𝘆
↳ Go try, see what work, what doesn't.
↳ Find comfort in failing forward & learning.
↳ Study the work of experienced designers.
↳ Their process, their decisions, their output.
➡️ 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗹𝘆
↳ Go try, see what work, what doesn't.
↳ Find comfort in failing forward & learning.
December 14, 2025 at 1:23 AM
➡️ 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀
↳ Study the work of experienced designers.
↳ Their process, their decisions, their output.
➡️ 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗹𝘆
↳ Go try, see what work, what doesn't.
↳ Find comfort in failing forward & learning.
↳ Study the work of experienced designers.
↳ Their process, their decisions, their output.
➡️ 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗹𝘆
↳ Go try, see what work, what doesn't.
↳ Find comfort in failing forward & learning.
And trends don’t matter if you build up:
• Great mental models
• Ability to execute quickly
• Killer problem-solving skills
That's the foundation that carries you through:
— ANY trend
— ANY project
— ANY challenge
So, how do you build these skills?
• Great mental models
• Ability to execute quickly
• Killer problem-solving skills
That's the foundation that carries you through:
— ANY trend
— ANY project
— ANY challenge
So, how do you build these skills?
December 14, 2025 at 1:23 AM
And trends don’t matter if you build up:
• Great mental models
• Ability to execute quickly
• Killer problem-solving skills
That's the foundation that carries you through:
— ANY trend
— ANY project
— ANY challenge
So, how do you build these skills?
• Great mental models
• Ability to execute quickly
• Killer problem-solving skills
That's the foundation that carries you through:
— ANY trend
— ANY project
— ANY challenge
So, how do you build these skills?
Skills. Period.
The UX world spins fast.
↳ Daily new trends & topics.
↳ Exhausting trying to keep up.
Designers play a never-ending game of catch-up.
The truth is:
𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧.
The UX world spins fast.
↳ Daily new trends & topics.
↳ Exhausting trying to keep up.
Designers play a never-ending game of catch-up.
The truth is:
𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧.
December 14, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Skills. Period.
The UX world spins fast.
↳ Daily new trends & topics.
↳ Exhausting trying to keep up.
Designers play a never-ending game of catch-up.
The truth is:
𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧.
The UX world spins fast.
↳ Daily new trends & topics.
↳ Exhausting trying to keep up.
Designers play a never-ending game of catch-up.
The truth is:
𝙏𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙎𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧.
📌 Download the 101 Portfolio Tips [FREE EBOOK]: uxchrisnguyen.gumroad.com/l/101-portfo...
101 Portfolio Tips [FREE]
It took me 10 years to learn these 101 Portfolio Tips. Tips are categorised in 12:MindsetAudiencePlatformQualityWritingCredibilityHomepageCall to actionAbout pageImagesCase studiesOtherStill have ques...
uxchrisnguyen.gumroad.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:05 AM
📌 Download the 101 Portfolio Tips [FREE EBOOK]: uxchrisnguyen.gumroad.com/l/101-portfo...
100/ Know your success metrics. Track page views, avg. duration, button clicks, emails received.
101/ Most designers think having a great portfolio alone, will get them hired. It won’t.
101/ Most designers think having a great portfolio alone, will get them hired. It won’t.
December 13, 2025 at 2:04 AM
100/ Know your success metrics. Track page views, avg. duration, button clicks, emails received.
101/ Most designers think having a great portfolio alone, will get them hired. It won’t.
101/ Most designers think having a great portfolio alone, will get them hired. It won’t.
96/ Ask for permission when using client projects.
97/ Blur out any sensitive company information.
98/ NDAs don’t matter as much as you think, you’re not working for the military.
99/ Having a custom domain is just a nice-to-have and not a must-have.
97/ Blur out any sensitive company information.
98/ NDAs don’t matter as much as you think, you’re not working for the military.
99/ Having a custom domain is just a nice-to-have and not a must-have.
December 13, 2025 at 2:04 AM
96/ Ask for permission when using client projects.
97/ Blur out any sensitive company information.
98/ NDAs don’t matter as much as you think, you’re not working for the military.
99/ Having a custom domain is just a nice-to-have and not a must-have.
97/ Blur out any sensitive company information.
98/ NDAs don’t matter as much as you think, you’re not working for the military.
99/ Having a custom domain is just a nice-to-have and not a must-have.
1️⃣2️⃣ Others
92/ Branding on your LinkedIn and Portfolio should be aligned.
93/ Get inspiration from great landing pages not other design portfolios.
94/ Trying to copy award winning portfolio will make yours worse.
95/ Don’t password protect your portfolio by default.
92/ Branding on your LinkedIn and Portfolio should be aligned.
93/ Get inspiration from great landing pages not other design portfolios.
94/ Trying to copy award winning portfolio will make yours worse.
95/ Don’t password protect your portfolio by default.
December 13, 2025 at 2:04 AM
1️⃣2️⃣ Others
92/ Branding on your LinkedIn and Portfolio should be aligned.
93/ Get inspiration from great landing pages not other design portfolios.
94/ Trying to copy award winning portfolio will make yours worse.
95/ Don’t password protect your portfolio by default.
92/ Branding on your LinkedIn and Portfolio should be aligned.
93/ Get inspiration from great landing pages not other design portfolios.
94/ Trying to copy award winning portfolio will make yours worse.
95/ Don’t password protect your portfolio by default.
90/ Don’t forget to mention constraints.
91/ Don’t end your case studies abruptly, include potential next steps.
91/ Don’t end your case studies abruptly, include potential next steps.
December 13, 2025 at 2:03 AM
90/ Don’t forget to mention constraints.
91/ Don’t end your case studies abruptly, include potential next steps.
91/ Don’t end your case studies abruptly, include potential next steps.