Quick note from me

This week, I’ve been deep into content creation: sharing more bite-sized learnings and reflections from my journey. If you missed it, here’s a quick recap:

• Episode 4/10 on 10 ways Framer can level up your UX portfolio. Watch it on Linkedin or Instagram

• New AI tool I’m exploring: Replit

• Storytelling hook ideas for your portfolio. Check on Linkedin or Instagram

Between all the filming and leveling up my storytelling skills, I’ve been thinking a lot about what a design role really means in the AI era.

• Should we focus more on “taste”?

• Should we all work at AI product companies now?

• Or should we become design founders?

There’s a lot of confusion out there. So let’s talk about what you can do and how to shape your path as a designer in this shift.

Story outline

• Path A: I just want a job

• Path B: I am a design nerd

• Path C: I like design and more

• Portfolios: Not only UX Designers

🫶 Together with Framer

The no-code web design platform I chose for my UX portfolio course website: Framer

Framer can help you build a new income stream, and we both know that’s important in a dynamic industry like tech.

What I’m planning to do next on Framer:

• Create more sites for my clients (because, well, I don’t code :))

• Earn more commissions on referrals: just use my link below :)

• Build a website template and earn passive income

• Keep selling my course: uxportfolio.co

Ready to build your client’s website on Framer? Use the code "ANETA" for a discount and start today

Path A: I just want a job

You're someone who enjoys different design tasks: visual, strategic, collaborative. But you’re not trying to make it your entire personality. You might’ve transitioned into design from another field, or maybe you’ve been working in B2B and doing a bit of everything.

• You like things to be clear, structured, purposeful

• You care about metrics, processes, deliverables

• You can focus on details, but prefer working on a bigger picture

You care about doing your job well without being consumed by it.

What you can focus on to grow:

• Build a reliable T-shape: go broad across different skills, then deep in 1 area

• Get clear on the overlap in your skills

  • Design systems + Branding

  • Facilitation + Service design

  • Data visualisation + Complex B2B products

• Learn to speak the language of business (think growth design)

• Start building your AI muscle in 3 areas

  • Learn tactics to increase your efficiency

    • Save prompts that work

    • Prepare summaries with AI

    • Write repetitive docs with AI

    • Build simple wireframes with AI

  • Learn tactics to be more creative

    • Level up your “lorem ipsum” texts and images

    • Use AI to work quicker and in result spend more time on creative concepts

  • Collect AI rules to design AI products

    • Explore AI tools

    • Save AI design patterns

    • Learn about AI challenges

Path B: I am a design nerd

You’re deep in it. You follow all the top designers, read everything from AI design workflows to the concept of “taste”. You explore for fun. You’ve probably already tested 5 new AI tools this week. You care about taste, edge, and being ahead.

Your competitive edge? You love this stuff.

What you can focus on to grow:

• Build a Craft Designer identity

  • Design systems

  • Design details

  • Brand design

  • Motion design

• Pick 1–2 deep “spike” skills that make you stand out

  • Motion design for storytelling

  • AI UI patterns for B2C apps

  • Creative websites

• Share your thinking and work online. That’s your unfair advantage.

• Become obsessive over AI design. Follow tips for the Path A but also

  • Experiment with AI concepts

  • Build products using AI tools

  • Become an inventor

Path C: I like design and more

You enjoy design, but it’s not the only thing you want to master. You think like a builder: connecting design with business, growth, marketing, brand strategy. You probably help solve problems that aren’t really in your job description. You can’t stick to just one thing. You’re curious and not afraid to explore.

Maybe you want to be a founder, a builder or a creator. You don’t know what type yet: startup founder, solo founder, operator, creative director. But something’s pulling you forward. You're just figuring out the shape.

What you can focus on to grow:

• Treat your career like a career portfolio

  • Sketch your career pie chart (based on time spent, money earned, joy created)

  • Run tiny experiments

• Keep repackaging your identity

  • Keep rewriting your elevator pitch

  • Test different things: content + design + business

• Build small things fast using no-code + AI

  • Run fake door experiments

  • Automate repetitive processes

  • Use AI to build your competitive advantage

• Think like a founder, even if you’re still figuring out what kind

  • Take ownership

  • Spot opportunities

  • Test ideas fast

  • Learn to pitch

• Build your network, not just your résumé

  • Connect with people

  • Follow up with people you connected with

Want help with your UX portfolio? 🎁

As a thank you for being part of this community, I’m offering special discounts on all my portfolio services:

1. Join my UX portfolio course and get 50% off (use code “ANETA50” at checkout) to learn how to build your portfolio

2. Sign up for a call with me and get 15% off to discuss your portfolio

3. Get a 15% discount on an async portfolio review (no call)