Ask HN: Are there any good online communities for UX design?

[khurram]

I'm wondering where i can find good online communities for front-end design. There's too many 'graphic design' forums but I can't find any good places to get feedback on GUI design.

[yanowitz]

Forrst: http://forrst.com/

[pascalchristian]

Also invite only?

[pmichaud]

The Root is amazing, you will not find a more talented group of people. A couple of us post here on HN. It's invite only but getting in is just a matter of having a connection (you do) and an impressive portfolio (do you?)

http://www.theroot42.org

[vorador]

I don't get why those sites are invite only. I'm a total beginner concerning UX, and I'd like to learn, but I can't because the content of those sites is inaccessible for non-logged in users. What's the point ?

[NathanKP]

So if we are interested in joining do we send an email to ben (at) carbonfour.com, or do we talk to you?

[jmulder]

The Root still exists? That's just crazy. I remember first visiting that place back in the days I was still active at deviantART as well, which must have been like 8 years ago now.

Don't think my account is still there though... ;-)

[diehell]

what if one doesnt have any impressive portfolio or any even. Could one just join & learn??

[kls]

I caution you here, the problem with UX design groups is that you can become a product of group think. You have to remember above all else, that you users first and foremost are the greatest experts on UX design. While professionals can teach you theory, they can also become dogmatic about sticking to the principals (some, not try to generalize here).

My point being is relying on UX patterns and human factors theory does not negate the most important UX principal and that is A/B testing. Users may not be able to vocalize what they want but their actions and conversion rates speak volumes about what is intuitive and what is not. Employing this simple technique can teach you volumes about intuitive interface design.

Now with that being said these communities are great for inspiration and as a support network when creativity or ideas fade. When you hit a creative block they provide a plethora of talented people that can be extremely helpful.

Just remember, if you A/B test something and it goes against conventional wisdom, stick with what works avoid the dogma. Always do what works, not what is supposed to work.

[revorad]

http://dribbble.com

[nsfmc]

so, assuming that you're a dribble user, how do you rate the experience of using the service? How does it compare with showing screenshots to your friends over aim or talking at each other's desk? I'm intrigued, but i always find the more immediate, non-crowdsourced techniques have worked really well.

[bottlerocket]

The Interaction Design Association has a pretty active community: http://www.ixda.org/

[DTrejo]

http://undrln.com/ exists, but it has been pretty dead lately.

[evo_9]

http://Pick.im.

While Pick.Im isn't exactly a community, it's a pretty fine resource for getting your name out there (or finding developers); I just used it the past week to find a bunch of great local (Denver) UI designers that I'm interviewing.

[christefano]

Konigi: http://konigi.com

[richardmarr]

I'd add UX Bookclub, and the UX Freelancers group on LinkedIn.

I'd also look at Product Management groups as UX is a specialism within that, so ProductCamp and ProductTank for starters.

[abrudtkuhl]

Stack Exchange for UI -> http://ui.stackexchange.com/

[amorphid]

For SF Bay Area => http://www.baychi.org

[lowglow]

I visited the site. I couldn't stand the design. I left.

[voidnothings]

boxesandarrows.org is way to go :)