How can you join a UX community?

UX Events and Meetups? Hell yeah! ?? Networking with the tribe? Priceless. ?? Sharing experiences? Enlightening. ? Learning from the pros? That's leveling up, always! ?? Get out there (or log in) and mingle. ?? Your future self will thank you. ??

Attend UX Events and Meetups: Look out for local or virtual UX events, conferences, and meetups. Participating in these gatherings allows you to network with like-minded individuals, share your experiences, and gain valuable knowledge from industry experts.

Having a defined objective is crucial before seeking a UX community. Determine if you seek skill growth, project advice, job opportunities, or networking. Communities vary - some target UX research, accessibility, or design, while others span disciplines. Consider formality too; some are structured, others relaxed.

I would always want an open community for UXer something like Quora to build networking, post queries, jobs and also host UX events :)

Next to the traits and skills in UX you could also differentiate on the domain your are interested or active in. Like UX in healthcare for example.

I could not recommend being part of a local offline community more. I have been able to get projects because of attending meetups, the human connection really makes a difference!

Once you've established your interests and goals, explore ways to engage with UX communities. Online and offline platforms offer connections with fellow enthusiasts. Join forums like UX Stack Exchange, UX Mastery, or IDF. Follow blogs and podcasts like UX Planet, UX Collective, or UX Booth. Attend events like UXPA, UX Australia, or workshops. Find local branches of global organizations such as IxDA, AIGA, or UXPA for networking and growth.

Go to local networking events if you live in a bigger city. Many are free and you can find them on ticketing sites like eventbrite. Also, there are plenty of diverse affinity groups for LGBTQIA, women, BIPOC folks in tech. Find your niche on Facebook, LinkedIn, or even Instagram. Google and social media are your friend. Once you're accepted into a group, reach out with a post or a comment! Communicating is the first step to building community. Don't give up!

You can find great groups on the Meetup website. I suggest you attend those virtual or in-person meetings with an open mind. In-person meetings are great opportunities to network. Also, push your boundaries and offer a speech that showcases your challenges in the UX field on a specific topic and how you have overcome those. Many designers and apprentices will benefit from your experience and advice.

I cannot stress this enough, most online articles are re-writes of a source paper/ book. So read a book, a scholarly article if you are in search of lossless information or creating an edge in the field.

I do share my projects, ideas, or any interesting articles I come across. As I've learned from others, I try to give back by answering queries, providing feedback, and sharing my experiences.

Sharing brings accountability. And participating in someone's journey who has taken the plunge of being accountable in public is always an amazing way to give back. So get yourself out, and pat someone's back who is trying to show up. Intention matters.

In my personal opinion, one should certainly share their perspective and volunteer proactively in discussions, even if they feel less experienced and their thoughts or ideas may not be great enough. Sometimes, a lot of people frame the same perspective and revolve around the problem statement in circles. Who knows if your perspective might be the breakthrough they were trying to discover? Be fearless always! Do not be afraid to share your thoughts and ideas in groups or the community.

While being deeply involved in various activities and communities can offer valuable experiences, it can indeed lead to exhaustion, FOMO (fear of missing out), and a sense of complexity. Striking a balance is crucial to prevent becoming overwhelmed or losing focus. Overextending oneself can also lead to diluted efforts and reduced productivity. It's important to prioritize meaningful engagements and maintain a clear sense of purpose to avoid getting caught up in excessive involvement that might hinder personal growth and effectiveness.

Upon identifying a fitting UX community, active involvement is vital. Beyond consuming content, contribute actively. Pose queries, offer answers, share your projects, provide feedback, join discussions or volunteer for initiatives. This participation showcases your dedication, builds credibility, and fosters valuable connections within the community.

Providing feedback on a case study or survey form is important, but how it's done makes all the difference. I try to give feedback that's honest, constructive and importantly encourages another designer's improvement. At Design Masters, we make sure to recognize and celebrate the successes and achievements of each other.

Everything eventually boils down to our relationships; trust and respect are crucial for a space that helps everyone focus on co-learning. Read: Social learning

In a UX community, showing respect and support for fellow members is key. Uphold trust, diversity, and collaboration. Adhere to community guidelines, value diverse viewpoints, credit your sources, and offer constructive feedback. Back community objectives, applaud successes, and nurture a positive and inclusive atmosphere. Your respect and support foster a welcoming space for everyone involved.

Talk to people 1-1; human to human connects are the grassroots of a healthy thriving community. Go reach out to the mentor, start a conversation or ask for help.

Remember that in UX communities, learning is a two-way street. Don't hesitate to reach out for help, but also offer your expertise where you can. Engage in genuine conversations and connections, as these interactions can lead to unexpected opportunities. Stay curious and open to new perspectives, as the field of UX is constantly evolving. Lastly, enjoy the journey of growth and discovery within your chosen UX community.

Attend UX Events and Meetups: Look out for local or virtual UX events, conferences, and meetups. Participating in these gatherings allows you to network with like-minded individuals, share your experiences, and gain valuable knowledge from industry experts.

Also not to forget, engage actively within various communities, particularly those representing diverse cultures - a concept often coined as 'cultural ergonomics' or 'Cross-Cultural User Experience Design.' ?? By doing so, you'll learn a lot about different cultural preferences and behaviours which really matter. In the end, it all makes it for you to see through various perspectives and cater experiences that they work well for a wide range of user groups.

As in UX, where user-centric is key, it all lie down to interactions. You can reach out for help or ask questions to people within the community you seek. Even asking people that aren't part of the community or even of the UX domain might give you interesting insights and get you further.