Stay Relevant: Your Weekly Design Trends Plan

1. Set a Weekly Learning Slot (1–2 hrs)

• Pick a fixed time each week (e.g., Friday morning or Sunday evening) to:

  • Explore new design tools or updates (e.g., Figma features, Adobe updates)

  • Read 1–2 trend articles or case studies

  • Review bookmarked inspirations

  Tool Tip: Use Notion or a Trello board to track what you’re learning or testing.

Your Weekly Plan

Here’s a curated, high-quality resource list aligned with your Weekly Plan to Stay Current with Design Trends and Technologies — categorized for efficiency.

2. Curate a Smart Content Feed

1. Subscribe to curated, high-quality sources:

   • Newsletters:

   Dense Discovery, UX Collective, Sidebar.io, The Brand Identity

   • YouTube Channels:

   The Futur, CharliMarieTV, AJ&Smart

   • Podcasts:

   Design Matters, Wireframe, High Resolution

   • RSS / Aggregators:

   Feedly with sources like Dezeen, Muzli, Dribbble, AIGA Eye on Design

   Pro Tip: Spend 15 minutes each morning skimming your feeds, not doomscrolling.

3. Participate in Design Challenges or Trends

• Join weekly UI/UX or brand challenges (e.g., Daily UI, Adobe Creative Challenges)

• Create your concept work based on trends (glassmorphism, brutalism, AI-powered tools, etc.)

• Share your process on platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or LinkedIn

4. Experiment with New Tools Monthly

Each month, experiment with at least one new tool, plug-in, or design system. Examples:

• AI: ChatGPT + DALL·E for mockups or concept generation

• Prototyping: ProtoPie, Framer

• Collaboration: FigJam, Pitch, Notion updates

• 3D & Motion: Spline, Lottie, Rive

Log each tool in a “Testing Journal” and rate for potential client use.

5. Follow & Engage with Innovators

• Follow design leaders on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and Threads

• Watch portfolio breakdowns or brand reveals from top studios (e.g., COLLINS, DIA, Studio Dumbar)

• Comment, repost, and ask questions to stay visible and learn

Create a private Twitter/X list of design trendsetters to stay noise-free.

6. Attend One Event per Quarter

Choose from:

• Design conferences (AIGA, OFFF, Figma’s Config, Adobe MAX)
• Virtual workshops or portfolio reviews
• Local meetups or creative coworking events

Share takeaways in your portfolio or newsletter to reinforce learning.

7. Document & Share What You Learn

• Start a “Trends & Tools” Notion page with links, screenshots, and notes
• Post 1x/month to LinkedIn or your blog with insights
• Use it to fuel your newsletter or pitch decks

Teaching what you’ve learned is the best way to retain it—and build authority.