
Honest UX Talks by Wix Studio
Honest weekly conversations about UX design career, challenges, portfolios, mental health, and all things UX. Ioana and Anfisa together have 20 years of experience in the UX field and trying to share their main lessons to help anyone transitioning to design overcome the fears.
Our weekly conversations are supported by Wix Studio, the web platform built for agencies and enterprises, and an amazing supporter of the design space.
https://www.wix.com/studio
To request the next topic DM us on IG:
🗂 instagram.com/honest_ux_talks
👩💻 instagram.com/anfisign
👩🏻💻 instagram.com/uxgoodies
Latest episodes

Mar 18, 2025 • 40min
#128 UX leadership during the tech crisis
Anfisa and Ioana explore the future of UX maturity in product organizations, examining the shift away from user-centricity, the impact of AI, and how we can redefine the benchmarks for measuring UX effectiveness in the evolving design landscape.This episode was recorded in partnership with Wix Studio.In this episode: 01:04 Episode starts02:35 Wix sponsorship04:16 Catch up09:39 What will UX maturity in product organizations look like in 2025 and in the years to follow?21:07 What is coming up for us in the design industry? With a clear shift away from user-centricity, how do we navigate these changes? What role does AI play—will it benefit us?30:48 Should we rethink how we measure UX maturity? What other factors do you believe are crucial for defining UX maturity?Mentioned in this episode: UX collective “The state of UX in 2025” reportNielsen Norman Group “The 6 levels of UX maturity”Honest UX Talks episode with Jakob NielsenCheck out these links:Join Anfi’s Job Search community. The community includes 3 courses, 12 live events and workshops, and a variety of templates to support you in your job search journey.Ioana's AI Goodies NewsletterEnroll in Ioana's AI course "**AI-Powered UX Design: How to Elevate Your UX Career"** on Interaction Design Foundation with a 25% discount.❓Next topic ideas:Submit your questions or feedback anonymously hereLinks:🎓 Into UX design online course by Anfisa🎓 Domestika course Create a Learning Strategy by Ioana🧡 Want to support us?Sign up here to get access to exclusive locked episodes for $0.99/moFollow us on Instagram to stay tuned for the next episodes.🗂 Our instagram👩💻 Anfisa’s instagram👩🏻💻 Ioana’s instagram

Mar 5, 2025 • 38min
#127 How to get promoted in UX design
Anfi and Ioana discuss what factors influence promotions and strategies for designers in various contexts to achieve advancement in your career.This episode was recorded in partnership with Wix Studio.In this episode: • What factors come into play when seeking a promotion?• How can designers in different contexts achieve promotion?• What are the tips for designers who feel frustrated about not being promoted?• What strategies can designers employ if they work in environments that do not have formal promotion cycles?Check out these links:Join Anfi’s Job Search community. The community includes 3 courses, 12 live events and workshops, and a variety of templates to support you in your job search journey.Ioana's AI Goodies NewsletterEnroll in Ioana's AI course "**AI-Powered UX Design: How to Elevate Your UX Career"** on Interaction Design Foundation with a 25% discount.❓Next topic ideas:Submit your questions or feedback anonymously hereLinks:🎓 Into UX design online course by Anfisa🎓 Domestika course Create a Learning Strategy by Ioana🧡 Want to support us?Sign up here to get access to exclusive locked episodes for $0.99/moFollow us on Instagram to stay tuned for the next episodes.🗂 Our instagram👩💻 Anfisa’s instagram👩🏻💻 Ioana’s instagram

8 snips
Feb 25, 2025 • 45min
#126 I am a senior designer now, what's next?
Explore the rollercoaster journey of senior designers grappling with career transitions. Personal anecdotes highlight the clash between pursuing management roles versus honing individual skills. Discover how global challenges foster new opportunities, like launching AI consultancies. The discussion navigates the evolving standards of seniority, emphasizing the need for diverse skills. Also, learn about the balance between craft and entrepreneurial thinking crucial for career advancement in today's turbulent market.

Feb 11, 2025 • 1h 1min
#125 A director's perspective on hiring UX designers in 2025 w/Chris Abad
Chris Abad is a design leader at ex-director at places like Google, Square, Dropbox, and Salesforce. He is launchingDesign Storytelling: Turn Resistance into Buy-in course, which starts on February 17th.Anfisa andChris discuss the essential qualities that make a great designer, the importance of storytelling in portfolios, and the role of designers in today's market and beyond.In this episode:• Do you think the roles of Product Manager and Product Designer will merge in the future?• Is being a good designer more about inherent talent, or is it a skill that can be developed?• How do you define a good designer in today’s industry?• What is your thought process when hiring designers? What do you look for in their portfolios?• According to Chris, what constitutes a good design portfolio?• What is a storytelling portfolio, and what does it mean to you?• What advice would you give to junior designers on how to frame themselves while figuring out their path in the industry?• Will having a UX design degree or completing a bootcamp alone make someone competitive in the job market?• What other important factors should junior designers consider?Relevant links:Join Anfi’s Job Search community. The community includes 3 courses, 12 live events and workshops, and a variety of templates to support you in your job search journey.❓Next topic ideas:Submit your questions or feedback anonymously hereOther resources:🎓 Into UX design UX-thinking online courses by Anfisa🤖 Ioana'sAI Goodies Newsletter🎓 Domestika course: Create a Learning Strategy by Ioana🤖 Enroll in Ioana's AI course"**AI-Powered UX Design: How to Elevate Your UX Career"** on Interaction Design Foundation with a 25% discount.🧡 Want to support us?Sign up here to get access to exclusive locked episodes for $0.99/moFollow us on Instagram to stay tuned for the next episodes.🗂Our instagram👩💻Anfisa’s instagram👩🏻💻Ioana’s instagram

Jan 21, 2025 • 39min
#124 The skills UX designers need in 2025
Anfisa and Ioana dive into the essential skills UX designers need to thrive by 2025. They discuss the importance of an experimental mindset, especially with advancements like AI. Personal anecdotes reveal the challenges of balancing work and parenthood during the holiday rush. The launch of a new design studio focused on AI integration is highlighted. Emphasizing a shift to a broad skill set, the conversation encourages designers to differentiate themselves and embrace collaboration in an evolving industry.

Dec 24, 2024 • 43min
#123 Year-End Reflections
Reflecting on the highs and lows of the past year, the hosts share personal growth stories, including the challenges of balancing motherhood and career ambitions. They discuss the importance of self-care and authenticity amidst burnout. A transformative shift from impulsive to reflective living is highlighted, showcasing new perspectives gained. Insights on professional identity in design and AI spark engaging conversations about future directions and audience involvement, leaving listeners inspired for the year ahead.

Dec 17, 2024 • 49min
#122 The State of Design Jobs in 2024-2025 w/Lena Kul
Lena Kul, founder of the boutique recruitment agency /kuːl/, shares her insights from years of scaling Product Design and UXR teams. She discusses current trends in the design job market for 2024-2025, emphasizing the importance of specialized roles and the growing demand for effective storytelling in pitches. Lena highlights that while technical skills are vital, soft skills and networking are equally crucial for aspiring designers. She encourages those entering the field to be adaptable and to leverage freelance opportunities as the landscape continues to evolve.

Dec 10, 2024 • 45min
#121 How to prevent burnout? w/Meg Rye & Laurence Galland
Ioana engages in a thoughtful discussion about burnout with guests Meg Rye and Laurence Galland.
This episode was recorded in partnership with Wix Studio.
In this episode:
0:46 intro
02:05 Wix sponsorship message
04:11 - Guests' background and interest in burnout
07:36 - Observations on designer experiences and industry challenges
15:57 - Symptoms and manifestations of burnout
20:17 - Steps to take upon realizing burnout + prevention tips
28:23 - Advice for those facing burnout threats
38:54 - Key takeaways
Our guests:
Meg Rye (she/her) - founder of Good Maven, recruiter and coach.
Meg’s been at the center of the global design community for 20+ years, working with professionals to build ambitious and fulfilling careers.
Most recently, Meg was the first international design recruiter at Meta. She led the team’s growth from 4 to 700 designers across 13 countries, while building a strong community and culture made up of product designers, content designers, user experience researchers, and artists.
She’s built teams, hiring processes, and programs for enterprise, agency, start-up, and cultural institutions, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Meta Reality Labs, Publicis Sapient, Havas, eBay, Comcast, Siemens, Verizon, The Wharton School, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Laurence Galland has worked with a huge range of teams and individuals and has vast experience across career management, leadership skills development, change management, self-development, business set up/scale up and work/life balance.
Before becoming a coach, she spent 10 years in consumer goods and tourism organisations as a senior HR professional. She holds a Professional Coach Certification (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF), an Individual Team Coach Accreditation (ITCA) from the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) and Masters degrees in international business and business administration.
Check out these links:
Ioana's AI Goodies Newsletter
Join Anfi’s Job Search community. The community includes 3 courses, 12 live events and workshops, and a variety of templates to support you in your job search journey.
Enroll in Ioana's AI course "**AI-Powered UX Design: How to Elevate Your UX Career"** on Interaction Design Foundation with a 25% discount.
❓Next topic ideas:
Submit your questions or feedback anonymously here
Links:
🎓 Into UX design online course by Anfisa
🎓 Domestika course Create a Learning Strategy by Ioana
🧡 Want to support us?
Sign up here to get access to exclusive locked episodes for $0.99/mo
Follow us on Instagram to stay tuned for the next episodes.
🗂 Our instagram
👩💻 Anfisa’s instagram
👩🏻💻 Ioana’s instagram

13 snips
Dec 5, 2024 • 39min
#120 Favorite product design books
The hosts dive into their favorite UX and product design books, revealing how these influential works shaped their careers. They explore the evolution of design literature and its relevance to contemporary challenges, emphasizing ethical considerations in the field. Inclusivity and storytelling in design are also key topics, highlighted through impactful titles. Finally, there's a heartfelt discussion about the emotional connections associated with these books, urging listeners to engage deeply with their reading journeys.

Nov 21, 2024 • 34min
#119 Emerging and future design roles
Anfisa and Ioana dive into how design roles might evolve in the future.
This episode was recorded in partnership with Wix Studio.
In this episode:
• What trends are currently shaping the design landscape?
• How do you envision the future of career growth within the design field?
• What do you anticipate for researchers and content designers, who also play integral roles in design organizations?
Check out these links:
Ioana's AI Goodies Newsletter
Join Anfi’s Job Search community. The community includes 3 courses, 12 live events and workshops, and a variety of templates to support you in your job search journey.
Enroll in Ioana's AI course "**AI-Powered UX Design: How to Elevate Your UX Career"** on Interaction Design Foundation with a 25% discount.
❓Next topic ideas:
Submit your questions or feedback anonymously here
Links:
🎓 Into UX design online course by Anfisa
🎓 Domestika course Create a Learning Strategy by Ioana
🧡 Want to support us?
Sign up here to get access to exclusive locked episodes for $0.99/mo
Follow us on Instagram to stay tuned for the next episodes.
🗂 Our instagram
👩💻 Anfisa’s instagram
👩🏻💻 Ioana’s instagram