UI/UX Studio Journal

Design work that actually feels like you.

A candid journal for product designers navigating craft, clients, and building a practice that sustains you — without burning out.

MRJKALTN
2,400+ designers read this every week.
Real talk, no fluff.
This week
14
new readers
↑ growing
Latest post
How I Redesigned My Client Process (and Doubled My Rate)
8 min read · UX Process
From the journal
On saying no to projects that drain you
5 min
"Design is a conversation you're always in the middle of."
UI/UX Process Client Work Advice Design Systems Career & Freelance Portfolio Reviews Tools & Resources Studio Journal Design Critique UI/UX Process Client Work Advice Design Systems Career & Freelance Portfolio Reviews Tools & Resources Studio Journal Design Critique
About this space

Hi, I'm [Name]. I'm a product designer & I write about the parts nobody talks about.

After 6+ years in product design — startups, agencies, and solo consulting — I started this journal to share what actually worked, including the mistakes, the client nightmares, and the process breakthroughs.

Here you'll find real case studies, honest thoughts on the design industry, and practical resources to help you do better, more intentional work — whether you're freelance or in-house.

From the journal

Recent writings

See all posts
Process
How I Redesigned My Client Onboarding and Doubled My Hourly Rate
The exact changes I made to my intake process, contracts, and communication — and what happened to my revenue when I did.
Career
The Design Projects I Said No To (And Why It Was the Best Decision)
On building criteria for the work you take, the work you decline, and how that shapes your reputation over time.
Systems
My Figma Component Library for Early-Stage Products (Free Template)
A practical, opinionated system built for startups that need to move fast without creating design debt along the way.
Work with me

Ways to go deeper

Whether you want hands-on guidance, a community, or a toolkit — there's a place for you here.

🧭
1:1 Consulting
Design Strategy Sessions
One hour, focused on your exact challenge — portfolio critique, project audit, career direction, or client problem. No fluff, just clarity.
$250
per session
📦
Digital Products
Templates & Toolkits
Figma component libraries, UX audit frameworks, client proposal templates, and portfolio guides — built from real studio work.
$29+
one-time
Path to $1,500 MRR
40 members at $19 = $760  ·  3 consulting calls/mo = $750  ·  Templates passive = $200+  →  $1,710 MRR
What readers say

Trusted by working designers

★★★★★
"This is the only design newsletter I actually look forward to reading. It's honest, practical, and doesn't try to sell me a course every other email."
MR
Mia Reyes
Product Designer @ Shopify
★★★★★
"The consulting session alone saved me from a terrible client contract. Worth every cent — and then some. Genuinely changed how I think about proposals."
JP
Jonas P.
Freelance UX Designer
★★★★★
"I've been a Studio Member for 3 months. The community alone is incredible — real critique, no ego. My portfolio is better because of this."
AL
Ana Leal
UX Lead, early-stage startup
★★★★★
"The Figma component kit is insane value. Clean, well-documented, and actually works with real product workflows. I've used it on 4 projects."
TN
Tomas N.
Design Engineer, Berlin
The weekly letter

Design honestly. Write honestly.
Read honestly.

Every week: one deep essay on design, craft, or the business of being a designer. No noise, no filler. Just something worth reading.