2023 Career Shortcuts
Hand-picked resources to level up your career
This time of the year is about giving, so instead of my usual musings on career challenges and growth, I wanted to share some of my favorite shortcuts to help you level up next year.
10 categories, 3 picks per topic, 30 shortcuts in total. Game on!
Inspiration sites
Show-stopper design from all over the internet to have fun in your next web design project.
Hovering, tapping, and scrolling don't have to be boring, and Rauno's gallery is proof of that.
The humble button is making a comeback, and this hand-picked collection can get you inspired.
UI Repositories
When you need product inspiration, Mobbin will have your back with thousands of apps.
Product inspiration for your next comparative analysis, but now with flows.
Whenever you want to compare components from multiple Design Systems, look no further.
Plugins
Easily create and manage design tokens to bridge the gap with your developer peers.
Creating component specs is a breeze with this plugin by Nathan Curtis.
Redlining can take a long time, but Measure makes things much easier and good-looking.
Tools
Ever wondered what a beautiful link in bio would look like? this is it — Check mine!
It takes capturing on Mac to a new level — Once you try it there's no going back.
If you ever wanted to use emojis on Mac by typing ::, Rocket makes it possible.
Individual Publications
David Hoang's publication is the perfect blend between creativity, technology, and pop culture, weekly on Sundays.
Julie has a way with words that makes you feel inspired, challenged, and feel like you're reading poetry, like a good Taylor Swift song.
To me, Wes Kao's newsletter is the perfect definition of practical learning for any leader or operator.
Collective publications
With almost 500K followers, this is the largest UX publication with hand-picked articles.
Research-based knowledge for all things related to UX and usability.
A different type of publication: Get inspired with the workspaces from creatives all over the world.
Reports
A pulse on the current state of the industry: Late-stage UX.
The 7th edition of the annual Design Tools Survey.
A more specialized report, focused on the state of user research and the people who do it.
Books
I would recommend this book to anyone, not just managers, to give and receive better feedback.
A timeless piece for first-time managers, drawn from real examples of Julize Zhuo's own career.
A practical guidebook for designers to speak the language of business.
Learning programs
A community-led experience to become better leaders, learning with and from the best in your field.
Specialized courses for creatives, taught by top designers in the industry.
If you're serious about leveling up your visual design skills, this is the perfect course for you.
Podcasts
The best product leaders around the world sharing their knowledge in a single place.
If you're a motivated creator, you have to listen to Charli and Femke's conversations on everything about design and side projects.
Ridd's podcast goes deep on the most relevant topics of today's design industry.
If you scrolled all the way through, here's a bonus for all Arc users out there:
Easily add these links as a folder on your browser 📁
It's always more fun to learn with others than doing it alone, so don't hesitate to reach out on Threads @laurieesc if you want to continue the conversation. If this article has been helpful, share it with a friend!
Over and out,
Laura ✌️