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The brainchild of UX Australia and Mags Hanley, Succeeding in Design 2022 was a new event, designed specifically for our Women in UX audience. 

As the first in-person events we’ve run in two years or so, we were thrilled to be sharing space with a cohort of wonderful professionals in Sydney and Melbourne.

Apart from the great talks and workshops, being able to chat, empathise, and relate to each other over coffee and lunch is the real reason we love in-person events so much. Here’s a wrap of the two events. 

Keynote with Jeannette Durick: Nuance, language and the subtle power of empathy

Understanding where the discipline of design comes from helps us better understand the context of our careers and where design is now. Through personal stories and anecdotes, Jeannette talked us through the ways she communicates as a designer, cultivating empathy and humanity to appeal to stakeholders.

Jeannette opened both the Sydney and Melbourne events.

Sydney 26 April    

What’s in a method? Janani Venkataraman

Sharing her journey from market researcher to product researcher, Janani spoke of the ups and downs she’s experienced as a product researcher. She demonstrated how adaptability is one of the greatest skills a person can have in product UX; adapting methods to situations, adapting approaches to problems and adapting attitudes to team needs.

Is UX the remedy for Ethical Fading at the clinical interface? Nicole Jess

Nicole showed us how lives can depend on good design, especially when a medical organisation succumbs to ethical fade by letting corporate coldness override human needs. But design thinking can turn the focus back to people by bringing decision-makers back to the coal face, so they can see and experience the impact of their choices.

Belonging in design with Michelle Ou

Back in the playground, belonging is about being accepted by others. But in the workplace, belonging is more about accepting ourselves and overcoming self-doubt. As a survivor of deep self-doubt, Michelle reminded us to drop the negative self-talk (you haven’t done enough, you’re not qualified enough, you’re not as good as your colleagues), and put your real identity and ideas forward. Be authentic for others and find allies who reflect back your best self.

Workshop: Working with senior stakeholders as a designer with Mags Hanley

Part therapy and part workshop, Mags helped the group navigate the challenges of working with senior stakeholders. Practising the approaches on each other, and coached by Mags, the groups were able to try out different tactics and tune their stakeholder conversations. With an all women group, other workplace and personal factors could be discussed without judgement.

Workshop: Success where you are Sarah Stokes

Sarah’s session was all about self-examination and cataloguing values, motivations, strengths and defining personal success. With a mix of general discussion, deep thinking, group activity and quiet brainstorms, participants looked at what kind of team member they are, what they want from their career and workplace, and what in their present situation they can change and optimise. Attendees walked away feeling empowered, accountable and more in control. 

Melbourne 28 April

Order Taker to Influencer - lessons learned along the way Jen Harper

There was laughter and so many nods for Jen Harper’s talk about the road to being an effective stakeholder influencer by adapting the language of the business, and pointing out the risks of accumulating ‘experience debt’ when things are not done right from the start. And if that doesn’t work, let things fail and hope the team learns for next time.

Innovative Storytelling: Better than TikTok! Manami Ray

From Jane Austen to Harry Potter to Netflix binges and podcast true crime, none of these compare to the fast visual storytelling platform that is Tik Tok. Except maybe Ted talks, the original analogue version. So where does Pecha Kucha (look up how to say it) fit in? It’s the same but for business - minimal slides, keep it short, make it punchy, land your message, have fun and tell the story. 

The power of ‘No’: Confessions of a former people pleaser, Benaz Irani

Getting very real and admitting that people-pleasing is not always the best way to advance your career. Do you get volun-chosen for extra things because you never say no? Accept staying late? Say yes to more work? Okay with being interrupted? Saying ‘no’ could be the smarter and better way to get respect, get noticed, get ahead and stay sane. Benaz encourages you to try it, and while you are at it, stop apologising.

Workshop: Working with Senior Stakeholders as a Designer with Mags Hanley 

Through stories, practical exercises, discussion and laughter, Mags took the group through some tried and tested approaches for influencing senior stakeholders, including talking in their language, using business terms, and communicating risk. Cultivate advocates and remove barriers for people to understand and agree.

Workshop: Design feedback - Presenting your work and getting great feedback Donna Spencer

Experience is how you get better at presenting and Donna put her workshop group through their paces in her practical workshop. Involving real scenarios and realistic stakeholder challenge points, the group worked together to raise their self awareness through individual presentations. Key lessons: be specific about what feedback you want, keep the story short and relatable, set an agenda with clear goals. 

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Well done UXA team: Annabelle Robb, Jasmine Croker and Claire Mahoney

And thanks to all our sponsors and partners

• Main event partner Mags Hanley

• Venue sponsors: Domain (Sydney) and Bourne Digital (Melbourne)
• Women in UX supporters and recruitment partners Aquent

We couldn’t run events without all your support