adplist.org

Designers, here’s the pocket guide to a good design portfolio (you wish you’d known this earlier). Save this! ?????What else would you add? #design #careers

You only need one person to believe in you. For some of us, that person is a mentor. But finding the right one? That’s not always easy. Meet Christiana Ovoikariaomo Nwegbu, a Freelance UX Designer. In an interview, we asked her: ?? "Tell us about a time a mentor believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself. How did that change you?" Her response? "I’ve always believed in myself, but finding mentors who truly resonated with me was hard. That lack of validation made the journey lonelier. I pushed past it, doing my best, but I always wondered—how much further could I have gone with the right guidance? Most of the people I admired were either too high up the ladder or weren’t subject-matter experts in my field, so our connections never quite aligned for mentorship. Then, I came across ADPList. I could hardly believe it was real—personalized mentorship, often for free? I knew people gave advice in general settings, but this was something different. And for many like me, it was the opportunity we had been searching for. Through ADPList, I’ve received invaluable feedback and clarity on questions you can’t just Google or ask ChatGPT. The kind of advice that changes your perspective, your confidence, and ultimately, your career. A huge thanks to Felix Lee and the ADPList team for making this possible, and to all the mentors who share their time and knowledge.” Christiana’s story is an inspiration for everyone who has ever felt alone in their journey. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the right guidance can make all the difference. "Behind every great achiever is a mentor who believed in them first." We all have a story. ?? #OneADPList P.S. Tell us about a time someone believed in you.

How to be productive (without getting burnout)? We compiled the most effective 8 productivity frameworks ? We all chase the perfect system to stay on top of things, but most techniques fade after a few weeks. ?????Over the years, we’ve experimented with many strategies. These 8 are the ones that stuck: 1???Use the "Pomodoro Technique" → Work in 25-minute sprints with 5-minute breaks to maintain focus and prevent burnout. 2???Automate repetitive tasks → Use tools like Zapier, templates, or AI to handle repetitive tasks and free up time. 3???Write down 1–3 key tasks each morning → Prioritize just a few essential tasks for the day. If you get these done, it's a win. 4???Set clear "shutdown" hours → Define a time when work ends each day to avoid burnout and create boundaries. 5???Move meetings to async → Whenever possible, turn meetings into an email or a Slack message. 6???Use the 80/20 Rule (Pareto Principle) → Focus on the 20% of tasks that yield 80% of your results. Prioritize high-impact tasks and cut out the noise. 7???Set Micro-Deadlines → Break down large tasks into smaller chunks and set tight deadlines for each. It creates a sense of urgency and helps you avoid procrastination. 8???Declutter Your Workspace → A clean workspace leads to a clearer mind. Take a few minutes at the start or end of each day to tidy up your desk. ???Repost this with your network to help them! ???What productivity tip has made the biggest difference for you?

Every person knows a mentor who helped them. For many in the design world, Maitreyee Kalaskar is that person. As the Founder & Creative Director of Mee Studios and one of the most incredible mentors on ADPList, she’s helped countless creatives navigate their paths with confidence. Recently, we interviewed Mat and asked for her story. ???One piece of advice for those starting their journey? "Don't box yourself in just for the sake of appearances. Too often, people hesitate to change directions because of what the industry or society might say. But real growth comes from experimenting, learning, and asking questions—whether to your peers or juniors. Also, remember: ‘Better done than perfect.’ It’s a tough mindset shift, but it’s what keeps me moving forward and putting real work out into the world." ???The role of networking in her career? "I used to see networking as just a means to get work, expecting instant results. But now, I focus on enjoying the process of meeting new people. The best opportunities can take years to materialize, and that’s okay." Maitreyee’s journey is to embracing change, staying curious, and playing the long game in networking. We all have a story. ???#OneADPList P.S. Who’s a mentor that helped shape your career?

Only 30 seconds to reject your design portfolio? (by Matej Latin) Sounds brutal, right? But here’s the reality. ? Recruiters and hiring managers scan portfolios in 6-30 seconds—so if yours isn’t clear, concise, and impactful, it’s an instant NO. ???Here’s what gets portfolios rejected: 1?? Low-quality visuals & typos – Use high-resolution images and proofread everything. 2?? Generic titles – Instead of "Company X Redesign," try "How I improved retention by 20% through UX changes." 3?? Weak intros – Hook them with insights, not dry explanations. 4?? Too long & cluttered – Keep it scannable, visual, and engaging. 5?? Jargon overload – Skip the fluff; be clear and concise. 6?? Unclear contributions – Highlight your role, not just the team’s work. Hiring managers aren’t just looking for pretty designs. They want designers who can communicate, solve problems, and think strategically. ?????Your portfolio isn’t just a showcase—it’s a first impression. → Make it easy to read. → Make it visually appealing. → Make it impossible to ignore. We’ve made it simple for you in our newsletter. ?? Read the full breakdown here: https://lnkd.in/dH9Ct76N Shoutout to Matej Latin again for guest contributing to this post. ???Repost this with your network to help them!

Who believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself? “When I was searching for my second job, I was filled with anxiety. I loved where I worked but knew I needed to grow. A mentor—shoutout to Laura—helped me reframe my mindset, encouraging me to own my strengths and communicate with confidence. Without her, my transition would have been much tougher.” Meet?Julia Meriel ????, a User Experience Researcher at Scribd & a Youth Basketball Coach. She has been an integral part of our community, inspiring mentees with her journey. In a recent conversation, Julia shared some invaluable insights from her experiences as a UX Professional and Mentee. Here’s what she had to say: ??? What’s one piece of advice from a mentor that you initially resisted but later realized was exactly what you needed to hear? “Early in my career, I struggled to balance user needs with business goals. When my manager told me that the user perspective isn’t the only one that matters, I resisted—how could that be? But over time, I saw the bigger picture. Understanding this balance made me a much more effective UX practitioner.” Julia’s story is a reminder of the power of mentorship—how the right guidance at the right time can shape careers and mindsets. We all have a story.??? ?#OneADPList

Let’s be honest for a second. ? Most people stay stuck not because they lack potential, but because they wait until they feel ready. But here’s the truth: Change happens fast—if you’re willing to start. ???? The gap between where you are and where you want to be? It’s not time. It’s not talent. It’s consistent action. The people you admire didn’t wait for the perfect moment. → They started when they were uncertain. → They built momentum when it felt slow. → They trusted the process when results weren’t instant. Here’s how you can do the same: ? Decide today. → You don’t need permission to start. Just begin. ? Be consistent. → Small daily actions will take you further than occasional bursts of motivation. ? Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. → Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Stretch yourself. ? Surround yourself with the right people. → The right environment can change everything. The life you want isn’t built in a day—but it starts with Day 1. ?? Repost if you agree & help someone grow. ???What’s one change you’re committing to today?

WOOO... our community showed out in Chicago! ???? What an incredible night! ADPList Chicago Chapter's sold-out event brought together a room full of engaged minds eager to explore AI beyond the usual buzzwords on "Rethinking Work in the Age of AI – Beyond the Hype & Fear." A huge THANK YOU ?? to our incredible panelists Val Marchevsky, Kimetha Dunn, Matt Koscak, and Arjun Patel for their sharp insights, and to our brilliant moderator Alex N. coming up with bold, thought-provoking questions ?? Key discussion points: ?? AI is no longer a distant future—it’s here, reshaping industries, redefining skills, and challenging us to adapt. ?? How AI is transforming the workforce—creating both opportunities and challenges. ?? AI in education and upskilling—changing how we learn, adapt, and stay ahead. ?? Why AI literacy is essential—understanding and embracing AI is key to staying competitive. ?? Human-AI collaboration—leveraging AI as a tool, rather than fearing its impact. ?? Massive appreciation to the ADPList Chicago Chapter team — Mila Shumilina, Arzoo Mittal, Sanjana Shah, Aaron Montanez, Shuting Y., Onur Kocan, Ezeoma Nwaneri, MS, and Arjo Bhattacharya —for making this possible. ?? Special thanks to our sponsors Uber , Uber Freight , Hagia and Creathinks.ai for supporting this platform for real, unfiltered AI discussions. And thank YOU for being a part of this community. ?? See you at the next event! #OneADPList

Are most designs just "expensive trash?" ?? Our design lead, Arpita Dhir, recently read Design for the Real World, written in 1971 (it still feels more relevant than ever). Victor Papanek didn’t just talk about design; he called out how bad design actively harms people and the planet. Here’s what stuck with Arpita ?? ?? Design isn’t decoration; it’s problem-solving. If a product looks great but fails to meet real human needs, is it even “good” design? A beautifully designed chair that’s uncomfortable isn’t functional. ?? Sustainability isn’t a trend; it’s a responsibility. Decades before “eco-friendly” became a marketing buzzword, Papanek warned about the dangers of wasteful, disposable products. His question: Why are we designing things to be thrown away instead of lasting? ?? Good design serves people, not just profits. Designers are problem-solvers, but who are we solving problems for? Papanek challenged designers to think beyond corporate goals and create solutions that improve lives, especially for underserved communities. He believed that design should be ethical, inclusive, and deeply human-centered. His message? Design like you give a damn. "I can’t believe this book was written over 50 years ago. The world has changed, but these lessons still hit hard."- Arpita Dhir Designers, what do you think? #design #creativity #careers Credit: Arpita Dhir ??

?? JUST IN: Want to stand out on LinkedIn? These must-have tools are here to help you crush it in 2025. ?? Here’s your ultimate toolkit to elevate your LinkedIn presence: ? Networking & Personal Branding → Dux-Soup – dux-soup.com (Automated LinkedIn prospecting & outreach) → LinkedIn Sales Navigator – linkedin.com/sales (For advanced lead gen and networking) → Zopto – zopto.com (AI-powered lead generation) → LinkedIn Helper – linkedinhelper.com (Automated LinkedIn marketing & connections) → Taplio – taplio.com (Content & personal branding optimization) ? LinkedIn Banner Design → Canva – canva.com (Free & customizable LinkedIn banner templates) → Crello – crello.com (Another great design tool for banners and graphics) → Bannersnack – bannersnack.com (Specialized banner design platform) ? Profile Optimization → Resumake – resumake.io (Create optimized LinkedIn profiles quickly) → Jobscan – jobscan.co (Optimize your LinkedIn profile based on keywords) → SkillSyncer – skillsyncer.com (Analyze your profile & match job descriptions) → LinkedIn Profile Writer – linkedinprofilewriter.com (Get a professional review or optimization) → Resume Worded – resumeworded.com (AI-driven LinkedIn profile feedback) ? Profile Photo → PhotoFeeler – photofeeler.com (Get feedback on your LinkedIn photo’s impact) → Snappr – snappr.com (Professional photoshoot service, even online) → Canva – canva.com (Edit and enhance profile photos) → Fotor – fotor.com (Easy photo editor for LinkedIn headshots) → Remini – remini.ai (AI to enhance photo quality) ?? Repost this and help your network stay ahead. P.S. Which tool did we miss?