We Just Launched Practice Round

Today, we're officially launching Practice Round. It's a free community where designers have each other's backs and help each other succeed through mock interviews.

Here's how it started: I've been mentoring designers for the past few years. As I continued to get more designers in my network, more people looking for advice, I started to notice patterns in the topics and questions.

And while those patterns changed over time, lately, with the market changing so much, the topics have become hugely focused on one thing: "Why am I not hearing back from potential employers?"

The Thing Nobody Prepares You For

The market's different now. Expectations for designers are way higher and they keep changing. There's a lot more disorganization out there; it makes it harder for employers to hire someone, and it makes it super difficult for designers to stand out and actually match with the right companies.

The numbers tell the full story: hundreds of applicants for every role, median search times of six months, and interview processes that would've been unthinkable just a few years ago.

But here's the thing: we can't control any of that.

What we can control is how we present ourselves to these challenges. How ready we are to confront them.

You can be an incredible designer and still struggle to sound coherent. I know this because I've done it myself, and it took me many, many years to get decently good at interviewing for design jobs.

Building the Community We Needed

Now that I'm more experienced as a designer and design leader, I understand that I can do something. I can give back to my community. Create what I wished existed when I was just getting started.

That something is Practice Round.

It's not a course. Not a bootcamp. Not another job board. I'm not trying to sell you something.

Practice Round is powered by volunteers; designers who have your back. It's just designers helping designers. Because when one of us succeeds, everyone succeeds. We help each other present ourselves better in this ever-changing industry.

How It Actually Works

The process? Simple, because simple works.

Book a session and we'll match you with volunteer panelists; designers who work at companies you're interested in or have interviewed at places on your list. People who know the industry and can give you specific feedback that matters.

You get 30 minutes to present your work or answer interview questions. Then 30 minutes of honest, constructive feedback. No judgment. No competition. Just design interview prep that actually helps.

We record everything so you can review it later. Sometimes the best insights hit you when you're ready to hear them.

We get it. Putting yourself out there is scary. Every session is a safe space where you can stumble, try again, and get better.

Ready to Start Practicing?

We need both participants who want to practice and experienced designers willing to volunteer their time.

Job hunting? We can help you get ready. Established in your career? Your perspective could change someone's trajectory.

Sign up at practiceround.co/signup

Know someone who's in the process of interviewing? They might benefit from something like this. Share it with them.

Thank You

This exists because people believed in it from day one. Helen Zhang who helped shape the idea into reality. Pacharaca Gráfica who created a brand that actually feels like us. Every early panelist who volunteered their time before we even knew if this would work.

Most of all, thanks to every designer who's been vulnerable enough to practice in front of strangers. You're making this community real.