Attending the Smashing Conference offered fresh insights and valuable connections, reminding me of the importance of stepping outside daily routines to grow and innovate in digital work.
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As a UX designer attending Smashing Conference ’24, I went in expecting to gain fresh inspiration for creating impactful digital experiences.
While I anticipated taking notes on the impressive talks and expert panels, what resonated most deeply wasn’t just the content—it was the connections and experiences that sparked new insights into UX/UI design.
The conference provided a rare opportunity to step outside my usual digital bubble and gain new perspectives that went beyond just improving skills.
I found myself surrounded by a shared passion for creating meaningful, user-centered digital products.
The conversations with fellow designers and developers once again reinforced how important it is to continually push the boundaries of UX/UI, stay open to new ideas, and adapt to the latest trends in user experience.
During the conference, it became clear to me once again: success in UX design comes from collaboration and a shared goal of delivering value to the user.
It’s not just about the technology we use, but how we leverage that technology to improve the user experience and make an impact.
One particularly insightful talk was about LLM's where the speaker compared AI more to a partner than the “beast” known as Shoggoth.
This perspective made me think about how I could integrate AI into my design work more, experimenting with different AI agents to assist me in my daily tasks.
The idea of AI as a collaborative tool rather than a threat is something I’m excited to explore further in my design process.
I was also deeply inspired by the personal stories shared by the speakers, and the way they discussed their own professional journeys.
Their experiences served as a reminder of how important it is to stay passionate and adaptable in our careers.
One of the talks on design systems particularly piqued my curiosity—could using a design system be beneficial for a small business, or is it more suited for larger teams?
It’s a question I’m now eager to explore in my own work.
After the Smashing Conference, I returned with fresh ideas and actionable insights, ready to refine my work further.
It reminded me how important it is to take time for networking, learn new things, and embrace the ever-changing landscape of UX/UI.
Conferences like this are essential for staying inspired and engaged in our mission to create exceptional digital experiences.
