Hey everyone,
The design job market has changed a lot in the last two years, and AI is only speeding that up. I get questions from designers every week about what's actually working right now: how to stand out, what recruiters are looking for, and whether AI is a threat or a tool.
So this Thursday, I'm sitting down with Grace from Hop and Design Buddies for a live, candid conversation on exactly that.
How to Get Hired as a Designer in the Age of AI Thursday, September 3 1:00–2:00 PM PDT Sign up here: https://luma.com/design-hiring
Here's what we'll cover:
Where the opportunities actually are. UX, product design, founding designer, and design engineering roles are not all moving the same direction right now. We'll break down where hiring is concentrated and what that means for your search.
How AI is reshaping what companies expect. Not just "will AI take design jobs," but what specific skills and habits are becoming table stakes for candidates.
Portfolio advice that actually matters. After looking at hundreds of portfolios a year, I have strong opinions about what makes hiring managers stop scrolling and what makes them move on.
The remote, hybrid, on-site, and visa question. Location flexibility is shaping outcomes more than most candidates realize. We'll talk through what to expect and how to navigate it.
Building real recruiter relationships. Most candidates treat recruiters as a black box. We'll talk about how to actually build a relationship that works in your favor over time, not just for one job.
Plus live Q&A, so bring your questions.
A bit about me if we haven't met: I spent years building and scaling design and product teams at Meta, BCG Digital Ventures, and various startups before founding X2Talent, where I now help founders hire founding designers, product designers, design engineers, and design leaders. I care about craft and problem-solving over keyword-matching, and that's the lens I bring to this conversation.
I'm also a mentor on Hop, the new design mentorship and coaching platform from Design Buddies. If you're looking for mentorship (or want to give it, with 5+ years of experience), you can join as a founding mentor or mentee here: https://hop.designbuddies.community/?utm_source=luma
Hope to see you Thursday!
Carl Wheatley is the founder of X2Talent, a boutique recruiting firm placing founding designers, product designers, and the engineers who work closest with them. A former designer himself, he spent 10 years building design teams at Meta, BCG Digital Ventures, and fast-growing startups, and now works with companies across the SF Bay Area and NYC.
Hiring your first founding designer? Get in touch.
Looking for a new role? Join my designer network so I have your up-to-date info when the right opportunity comes up.