The Ultimate Guide to UX and Tech Communities [2025]
Finding the right job as a UX professional isn't just about having a great portfolio—it's about being in the right place and knowing the right people. Whether you're considering relocating or want to maximize opportunities in your current city, tapping into local design communities can be your secret weapon for landing your dream role.
This comprehensive guide breaks down the best UX and tech communities in the top cities for design professionals, complete with what each community offers and how to get involved.
Check out our spreadsheet which we update weekly with new communities.
Why Community Matters for UX Job Seekers
Before diving into the cities, let's talk about why these communities matter. The best jobs often never make it to job boards—they're filled through referrals and networks. By actively participating in local design communities, you'll:
Meet hiring managers and recruiters before positions are even posted
Learn about company cultures from people who actually work there
Get portfolio feedback from experienced practitioners
Stay current on industry trends and in-demand skills
Build genuine relationships that lead to opportunities
Now, let's explore the communities that can help you make these connections.
San Francisco Bay Area
The epicenter of tech with the highest concentration of UX opportunities and some of the industry's best salaries (though cost of living is equally high).
IxDA San Francisco
Link: https://www.ixda.org/local-groups/san-francisco
The Interaction Design Association's SF chapter hosts monthly speaker events, workshops, and networking sessions focused on interaction design, prototyping, and design thinking. Great for learning from industry leaders at companies like Airbnb, Uber, and Google. Events typically feature case studies and hands-on activities.
SF Design Week
Link: https://www.sfdesignweek.org/
An annual citywide celebration of design featuring 100+ events including studio tours, panel discussions, workshops, and exhibitions. Covers everything from UX and product design to architecture and industrial design. Perfect for exploring different design disciplines and networking across the entire Bay Area design community.
AIGA SF
Link: https://www.aigasf.org/
The professional association for design with a strong focus on career development, mentorship programs, portfolio reviews, and ethical design practices. Offers job boards, salary surveys, and regular events on topics like design leadership, business strategy, and creative direction. Excellent for mid-to-senior level designers.
Product Hunt Meetups
Link: https://www.meetup.com/producthunt/
Community gatherings for product designers, founders, and tech enthusiasts to discuss new products, trends, and innovation. Features product demos, founder stories, and networking with early-stage startup teams. Ideal for designers interested in product strategy and startup culture.
Designer Fund
Link: https://designerfund.com/
A venture fund and community specifically for design leaders and founders. Runs the Bridge program connecting designers with mentors, offers talks on design leadership and business strategy, and provides access to a network of influential designers. Best for senior designers and those aspiring to leadership roles.
Women in Product
Link: https://www.womenpm.org/
Support network for women in product management and UX with local chapters offering mentorship, career coaching, workshops on product strategy, and networking events. Focuses on leadership development, negotiation skills, and career advancement for women in tech.
Seattle
Home to Amazon and Microsoft with a thriving tech ecosystem, competitive salaries, and slightly more manageable cost of living than the Bay Area.
Seattle Design Festival
Link: https://www.seattledesignfestival.org/
Month-long annual festival celebrating all aspects of design with exhibitions, installations, talks, and community events. Includes design walks, open studios, and community design projects. Great for connecting with the broader creative community beyond just digital design.
UXPA Seattle
Link: https://uxpaseattle.org/
User Experience Professionals Association chapter focusing on UX research, usability testing, and human-centered design methodologies. Hosts quarterly events with presentations from Amazon, Microsoft, and local agencies. Strong focus on research methods and evidence-based design practices.
Seattle Interactive Conference
Link: https://www.seattleinteractive.com/
Premier digital conference covering UX, marketing technology, digital strategy, and innovation. Two-day event with keynotes from industry leaders, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. Attracts professionals from across the Pacific Northwest tech scene.
IxDA Seattle
Link: https://www.ixda.org/local-groups/seattle
Monthly meetups focusing on interaction design with talks, workshops, and design challenges. Strong community atmosphere with social events and smaller special interest groups. Good mix of practitioners from big tech companies and local agencies.
Ladies that UX Seattle
Link: https://www.meetup.com/ladies-that-ux-seattle/
Women-focused UX community offering monthly meetups in a supportive environment. Features talks on design topics, career development, portfolio reviews, and informal networking. Welcomes all gender identities who support women in design.
Seattle Design Nerds
Link: https://www.meetup.com/seattle-design-nerds/
Casual community for designers to share work, get feedback, and discuss design trends. Monthly show-and-tell format where members present recent projects and challenges. Less formal than other groups, great for building genuine friendships in the design community.
New York City
Diverse opportunities across tech, finance, media, and advertising with one of the world's largest design communities.
IxDA NYC
Link: https://www.ixda.org/local-groups/new-york-city
One of the most active IxDA chapters globally, hosting frequent events with speakers from top NYC agencies and tech companies. Covers topics from voice UI to service design to emerging technologies. Large, diverse community with events often drawing 100+ attendees.
NYC UX Meetup
Link: https://www.meetup.com/ux-new-york/
With over 20,000 members, this is one of the world's largest UX communities. Regular events include speaker sessions, portfolio reviews, design sprints, and social mixers. Features practitioners from finance, media, fashion tech, and startups unique to NYC's diverse economy.
Designer Hangout
Link: https://www.designerhangout.co/
Global Slack community with a very active NYC chapter organizing in-person events. Focuses on product design with channels for career advice, design critiques, job postings, and daily discussions. Over 30,000 members worldwide make it great for getting quick feedback and advice.
UX Happy Hour NYC
Link: https://www.meetup.com/ux-happy-hour-nyc/
Monthly social networking events at bars and restaurants across NYC. Low-pressure environment for meeting other designers, sharing experiences, and discussing career paths. Perfect for newcomers to the city or those looking to expand their network casually.
General Assembly NYC
Link: https://generalassemb.ly/locations/new-york-city
Education platform offering UX and design courses, workshops, and community events. Hosts free talks, networking nights, and career panels. Good place to continue learning while meeting other designers at various career stages.
AIGA NY
Link: https://aigany.org/
The largest AIGA chapter in the US with extensive programming including mentorship circles, design salons, annual design awards, and professional development workshops. Strong focus on design ethics, sustainability, and social impact. Excellent job board and salary resources.
Austin
Growing tech hub with lower cost of living, warm weather, and a vibrant startup scene heavily influenced by SXSW culture.
Austin Design Week
Link: https://www.austindesignweek.org/
Week-long annual celebration with workshops, talks, studio tours, and social events across all design disciplines. Showcases Austin's creative community with events ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced practitioner sessions. Great way to explore the local design scene comprehensively.
SXSW
Link: https://www.sxsw.com/
Massive annual conference and festival covering interactive media, film, and music. The Interactive track features hundreds of sessions on UX, product design, emerging tech, and digital innovation. Unparalleled networking opportunities with innovators from around the world. Takes place every March.
UX Austin
Link: https://www.meetup.com/ux-austin/
Monthly meetups featuring local practitioners sharing case studies, research methods, and design processes. Friendly, welcoming community with events often held at tech company offices. Includes special events like portfolio nights and UX book clubs.
AIGA Austin
Link: https://austin.aiga.org/
Professional design community with focus on career growth, creative leadership, and design business practices. Hosts Design Week events, mentorship programs, portfolio reviews, and connects designers with local opportunities. Strong community of freelancers and agency designers.
Capital Factory
Link: https://www.capitalfactory.com/
Startup hub and coworking space hosting daily events including tech talks, startup pitches, workshops, and networking hours. Free and open to the public. Great for designers interested in startup culture and meeting founders looking for design talent.
Austin Design Community
Link: https://www.meetup.com/austin-design-community/
Grassroots community organizing casual meetups, design critiques, and social events. Less formal than other groups with emphasis on building genuine connections. Often meets at coffee shops and bars for relaxed conversations about design.
Los Angeles
Strong entertainment tech, gaming, and creative industries with a growing startup ecosystem at the intersection of technology and culture.
LA Design Festival
Link: https://ladesignfestival.com/
Annual festival celebrating LA's unique design culture with exhibitions, installations, talks, and community projects. Covers graphic design, UX, product design, architecture, and more. Highlights the intersection of design with entertainment, fashion, and tech industries prevalent in LA.
UX LA
Link: https://www.meetup.com/ux-happy-hour-los-angeles/
Regular happy hours and meetups for UX professionals across Los Angeles. Casual networking environment with designers from entertainment tech, gaming, e-commerce, and traditional tech companies. Multiple events per month at various locations.
IxDA Los Angeles
Link: https://www.ixda.org/local-groups/los-angeles
Monthly events featuring talks from designers at companies like Disney, Netflix, and Snap. Topics range from motion design to VR/AR experiences to game UX. Reflects LA's unique position at the intersection of entertainment and technology.
AIGA Los Angeles
Link: https://losangeles.aiga.org/
Large professional community with robust programming including mentorship, portfolio reviews, salary surveys, and career development. Strong focus on diverse representation in design and creating opportunities for underrepresented designers. Excellent for finding freelance and full-time opportunities.
Collab/Space
Link: https://www.collabspace.la/
Creative coworking space hosting regular events, workshops, and networking sessions for designers, developers, and creatives. Community-focused with emphasis on collaboration across disciplines. Good for freelancers and remote workers looking for community.
Design Matters LA
Link: https://designmattersla.com/
Conference and community focused on design thinking, social innovation, and using design to address real-world problems. Events often explore the intersection of design with social justice, sustainability, and community development. Appeals to designers who want to make meaningful impact.
Boston
Rich in edtech, healthtech, and enterprise software with strong academic connections to world-class universities.
Boston UX
Link: https://www.meetup.com/boston-ux/
Very active community with monthly meetups featuring speakers from local tech companies, universities, and agencies. Strong emphasis on UX research methods given Boston's academic connections. Often features practitioners from healthcare, education tech, and enterprise software companies.
UXBoston Conference
Link: https://uxboston.com/
Annual conference bringing together UX practitioners from across New England. Full day of talks, workshops, and networking focused on practical UX skills and emerging trends. Known for high-quality speakers and intimate, workshop-style sessions.
Design Museum Boston
Link: https://designmuseumfoundation.org/
Museum and community organization hosting exhibitions, talks, and workshops on design's role in society. Events explore design history, contemporary practice, and future trends. Good for designers interested in the broader cultural impact of design.
MassTLC
Link: https://www.masstlc.org/
Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council organizing networking events, educational programs, and advocacy for the tech community. Regular events specifically for product and UX professionals. Strong connections to Boston's enterprise software and B2B tech ecosystem.
UXPA Boston
Link: https://uxpaboston.org/
Professional association focused on user experience research and practice. Events cover research methodologies, usability testing, accessibility, and evidence-based design. Particularly strong in healthcare UX given Boston's medical device and health tech industries.
AIGA Boston
Link: https://boston.aiga.org/
Professional design community with mentorship programs, portfolio reviews, and career development resources. Hosts Boston Design Week with numerous events across the city. Strong academic connections through partnerships with local design schools.
Denver
Emerging tech hub with excellent work-life balance, outdoor lifestyle appeal, and more affordable cost of living.
Denver UX
Link: https://www.meetup.com/denver-ux/
Monthly meetups featuring local practitioners, workshops, and networking events. Friendly community atmosphere reflecting Denver's collaborative culture. Topics range from UX research to design systems to career development. Often includes social hours after presentations.
AIGA Colorado
Link: https://colorado.aiga.org/
Professional design community serving Denver and Boulder with events, mentorship, portfolio reviews, and advocacy. Hosts annual design awards, salary surveys, and career resources. Strong focus on supporting emerging designers and students.
Denver Startup Week
Link: https://www.denverstartupweek.org/
Free annual week-long event with hundreds of sessions on entrepreneurship, tech, and innovation. Multiple tracks including design and product with workshops, panels, and networking events. Excellent for designers interested in startup culture and meeting founders.
Galvanize Denver
Link: https://www.galvanize.com/denver
Tech education campus and coworking space hosting regular meetups, workshops, and tech talks. Active community of developers, designers, and entrepreneurs. Good for cross-functional networking and learning new skills.
Creative Density
Link: https://www.creativedensity.com/
Coworking space and event venue hosting design-focused events, talks, and workshops. Community of freelancers, agencies, and creative professionals. Offers studio space tours and networking events to connect with Denver's creative community.
Boulder Denver New Tech
Link: https://www.meetup.com/bdnewtech/
Long-running meetup bringing together tech professionals from across the Front Range. Monthly events featuring startup demos, tech talks, and networking. Good for staying current on Colorado's tech ecosystem and meeting potential employers.
London
Europe's leading tech hub with strong fintech scene, diverse opportunities, and vibrant international design community.
UX London
Link: https://2025.uxlondon.com/
Premier three-day European UX conference featuring world-class speakers, workshops, and networking. Covers UX research, design strategy, emerging technologies, and design leadership. Attracts practitioners from across Europe and beyond. Known for high production value and thoughtful programming.
London IA
Link: https://www.meetup.com/ia-london/
Information architecture community focusing on content strategy, navigation design, and complex system design. Monthly meetups with talks and discussions. Strong community of practitioners working on large-scale digital products and services.
Ladies that UX London
Link: https://www.ladiesthatux.com/london
Women-focused UX community with monthly talks and networking in supportive environment. Features speakers on design topics and career development. Welcomes all who support women in UX. One of the most active chapters globally.
General Assembly London
Link: https://generalassemb.ly/locations/london
Education platform offering courses, workshops, and community events for designers and tech professionals. Free evening talks and networking events alongside paid courses. Good for continuing education and meeting other designers at various career stages.
Tech London Advocates
Link: https://www.techlondonadvocates.org.uk/
Large volunteer-driven community supporting London's tech ecosystem. Working groups covering various aspects of tech including design. Regular networking events, advocacy initiatives, and connections to London's startup and scale-up scene.
UX Crunch London
Link: https://www.meetup.com/ux-crunch/
Monthly meetups featuring UX practitioners sharing real project experiences and lessons learned. Informal, friendly atmosphere with focus on practical takeaways. Often features designers from fintech companies given London's strong finance sector.
Berlin
Lower cost of living with vibrant startup culture, strong international community, and experimental creative scene.
UX Berlin
Link: https://www.meetup.com/ux-berlin/
Active English-speaking UX community with monthly meetups, workshops, and social events. International crowd reflecting Berlin's multicultural tech scene. Topics range from UX research to service design to design ops. Very welcoming to newcomers and expats.
From Business to Buttons
Link: https://frombusinesstobuttons.com/
Conference exploring the connection between business strategy and design execution. Two-day event with talks from design leaders at European and international companies. Focus on design's strategic value and business impact.
betahaus
Link: https://www.betahaus.com/berlin/
Coworking space and community hub hosting regular events including design meetups, workshops, and networking sessions. Strong international community of freelancers, startups, and creatives. Open workspace culture encourages spontaneous collaboration.
Factory Berlin
Link: https://factoryberlin.com/
Members-only club and coworking space for tech and creative professionals. Hosts events, workshops, and networking for members. Strong community of startups, scale-ups, and established tech companies. Good for serious networking and business development.
IxDA Berlin
Link: https://www.ixda.org/local-groups/berlin
Interaction design community organizing monthly events with speakers and workshops. English-speaking events attracting international designers. Strong focus on emerging technologies and experimental design given Berlin's creative culture.
Berlin Tech Workers Coalition
Link: https://techworkerscoalition.org/berlin/
Worker-led organization advocating for better working conditions in tech. Hosts discussions, workshops, and community events focused on labor rights, ethical tech, and workplace organizing. Good for connecting with socially conscious designers and discussing industry issues.
Toronto
Canada's tech capital with growing opportunities, immigration-friendly policies, and diverse, multicultural community.
FITC Toronto
Link: https://fitc.ca/
Major design and technology conference covering everything from UX to motion design to creative coding. Multi-day event with workshops, keynotes, and networking. Strong focus on creative technology and digital innovation. Attracts international speakers and attendees.
Toronto UX Meetup
Link: https://www.meetup.com/torontouxgroup/
Regular meetups featuring speakers from Toronto's tech companies and agencies. Topics cover all aspects of UX including research, design, strategy, and emerging trends. Large, active community with good mix of experience levels.
Ladies Learning Code
Link: https://www.canadalearningcode.ca/
Non-profit offering workshops, hackathons, and community events to help women and non-binary individuals learn tech and design skills. Welcoming, supportive environment focused on building confidence and community. Great for career changers and those learning new skills.
DesignTO Festival
Link: https://designto.org/
Annual citywide design festival with exhibitions, installations, talks, and workshops across all design disciplines. Showcases Toronto's diverse creative community. Events range from industry panels to public art installations to studio tours.
Toronto Tech Meetup
Link: https://www.meetup.com/toronto-tech-meetup/
One of the largest tech meetups in Canada with monthly events featuring startup demos, tech talks, and extensive networking. Good for designers interested in startup culture and meeting founders, developers, and product people.
AIGA Toronto
Link: https://www.meetup.com/aiga-toronto/
Professional design community with focus on career development, ethical practice, and design business. Regular events, mentorship opportunities, and connection to broader design community. Good for freelancers and those interested in design leadership.
Amsterdam
International companies, English-friendly environment, strong design culture, and excellent quality of life.
UX Cocktail Hours Amsterdam
Link: https://www.meetup.com/ux-cocktail-hours/
Monthly social networking events at bars across Amsterdam. Casual, friendly atmosphere perfect for meeting other UX professionals in relaxed setting. Very international crowd reflecting Amsterdam's expat-friendly tech scene. Conversations in English.
Awwwards Conference Amsterdam
Link: https://conference.awwwards.com/amsterdam
International web design conference celebrating digital design excellence. Two-day event with talks from award-winning designers and agencies. Focus on cutting-edge web design, animation, and user experience. Attracts designers from across Europe.
The Next Web
Link: https://thenextweb.com/conference
Major European tech conference covering startups, innovation, and emerging technology. Large design and UX track with international speakers. Massive networking opportunities with thousands of attendees from across Europe. Takes place annually in June.
IxDA Amsterdam
Link: https://www.ixda.org/local-groups/amsterdam
Interaction design community hosting monthly meetups with speakers and workshops. English-speaking events with international attendance. Topics cover interaction design, service design, and design thinking. Strong community atmosphere.
Amsterdam Tech
Link: https://www.meetup.com/amsterdam-tech/
General tech meetup bringing together developers, designers, and product people. Regular events with speakers and networking. Good for cross-functional networking and understanding the broader Amsterdam tech ecosystem.
Appsterdam
Link: https://appsterdam.rs/
Community of app makers organizing weekly meetups, workshops, and social events. Very international and welcoming to newcomers. Focus on mobile design and development with regular show-and-tell sessions. Strong culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Essential Global Resources
Beyond city-specific communities, these global platforms can help you connect with designers worldwide and continue learning.
Dribbble Meetups
Link: https://dribbble.com/meetups
Official Dribbble-organized meetups happening in cities worldwide. Social events for designers to share work, network, and discuss design trends. Check schedule for events in your city or start your own chapter.
ADPList
Link: https://adplist.org/
Global mentorship platform connecting designers with mentors worldwide for free 1-on-1 sessions. Over 20,000 mentors offering guidance on portfolios, career transitions, interviews, and skill development. Also hosts community events and webinars.
Hexagon UX
Link: https://hexagonux.com/
Organization running UX conferences across multiple cities worldwide. High-quality single-day events with practical workshops and networking. Known for bringing international speakers to local communities.
UX Collective
Link: https://uxdesign.cc/
Online publication and community with over 2 million readers. Publishes daily articles on UX, hosts writing workshops, and maintains active social media communities. Good for staying current on industry trends and thought leadership.
Making the Most of These Communities
Having this list is just the beginning. Here's how to actually leverage these communities for your job search:
Start Before You Need a Job Don't wait until you're actively job hunting to get involved. Build relationships when you're not desperate—people can sense when you're only networking for immediate gain.
Attend Regularly Show up consistently to a few events rather than sporadically attending everything. Familiar faces build trust and deeper connections.
Contribute, Don't Just Consume Share your own knowledge, offer to help with event organization, or write blog posts for the community. Givers get remembered.
Join the Online Channels Most communities have Slack or Discord channels where the real magic happens. Job opportunities are often shared there first, and you can ask questions and get advice between events.
Follow Up After meeting someone interesting, send a LinkedIn connection request with a personal note. Reference your conversation to jog their memory.
Be Genuine People can tell when you're being transactional. Build real relationships based on shared interests and mutual support. The job opportunities will follow naturally.
Your Next Steps
Pick 2-3 communities in your city (or target city) and commit to attending their next event. Mark your calendar right now. The community that leads to your next role might be just one meetup away.
Remember, the best time to build your network was yesterday. The second best time is today.
What's your experience with design communities? Drop a comment below with your favorite group or a tip for getting the most out of networking events!