Attending UXDX Berlin 2025

I was fortunate to receive a developer scholarship to attend UXDX EMEA 2025, a conference that brings together 700+ professionals across UX, design, development, and product management. It was in Berlin this year, so I was able to attend in person.

As a design engineer working at the intersection of design and code, attending this conference opened my eyes to how rapidly the design industry is evolving, how it is adapting to the recent AI cycle, and what it means for building better products.

The Big Picture: AI is Reshaping Everything

We first started with a talk by Pamela Mead, Global VP of Design, SumUp. She challenged the audience and the general narrative about design's value and future whilst arguing for a return to the scientific foundations of design. She also encouraged designers to take more strategic business-centered roles rather than remaining purely in the design discipline.

The most striking theme across every talk was how AI is fundamentally changing product development. From executives to managers to designers and developers, AI is changing the way we work but not in the way you might expect. Speaker after speaker emphasized that AI should augment human capabilities, not replace them.

Connor Joyce from Microsoft put it perfectly: design systems are evolving from "libraries of components" to "compasses" that guide teams through the behavioral complexity of AI interactions.

Thriving as a Long-Term IC

Cliff Seal gave a very impassioned talk (he probably also had the best slides!) about how to thrive as a long-term Individual Contributor (IC) in an organization, which although it was geared towards designers, I was able to take a few pointers.

The Trust + Skill Balance

Success requires balancing design skills AND trust from others - technical excellence alone isn't enough. Trust-building through making others successful is as important as your individual craft. "Effective ICs craft thoughtful designers, not just thoughtful designs".

Three Career Phases for Growth

• Phase 1 - Zero to One: Build foundational skills and prove you can deliver
• Phase 2 - Middle: Focus on collaboration and cross-functional effectiveness
• Phase 3 - Senior: Drive influence, handle ambiguous projects, mentor others

Feedback as Core Competency

Invest heavily in giving and receiving feedback - it's a career multiplier. Engage in critique regularly to sharpen your judgment and communication. This builds the trust that leads to influence over time.

The Long Game

Senior ICs must handle complex, ambiguous projects and tell honest stories about their process. Leaders give you influence when they trust you'll be valuable on any project. Focus on outcomes and making the whole team more effective.

The Power of Focus and Influence

My other favorite talk from the conference was by Niall O'Kelly from Adidas. His talk was, first of all, one of the few talks that didn't involve AI, but also a talk that emphasized how to work better with other humans and navigate all the complexities that come with it.

He shared something that hit hard: "Where you focus is where you lead." This isn't just about personal productivity, it's about how we drive organizational change. Focus directs momentum, even before you feel the impact.

For me, this means being more intentional about the projects I choose and the problems I solve.

---

Special thanks to UXDX (especially Arjan Habben Jansen) for the developer scholarship opportunity. The diversity of perspectives and practical insights made this one of the most valuable professional development experiences I've had.