About us
Welcome to Friends of Figma, Irvine!
Meet other designers, grow your network, and build design skills at our online and in-person events. Open to everyone interested in learning more about Figma; students, aspiring designers, advanced practitioners, and all types of creatives.
Upcoming events
1
Friends of Figma: Fall UX Case Study Showcase 🍂
Irvine Ranch Water District, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave, Irvine, CA, USAfter an incredible turnout at our last showcase, we’re doing it again, with another stellar lineup of speakers sharing deep dives into real-world projects, process, and lessons learned from their design journeys.
Whether you’re an aspiring designer, transitioning careers, or already in the field and looking for inspiration, this evening is for you. Expect thoughtful talks, honest stories, and insights that will recharge your creative spirit.
In Collaboration with...
This event is hosted in collaboration with OCUX, another amazing local UX community putting on awesome events on a regular basis.Agenda
6:00 PM – Doors Open & Networking
6:30 PM – Welcome & Event Overview6:35 PM – "Shoppers are Not Users: What I learned switching from fintech to e-commerce," Nico Arce, Sr. UX Designer at PACSUN
7:00 PM – "Before the Screens: Getting Design Into Engineering
Decisions" Shane Matthews, Sr. UI/UX Designer at Turion Space7:25 PM – Break
7:40 PM – "Still Worth It: What designing inside a bank taught me about hard limits and hard years," Gabriel Guevara, VP of UX & Design Operations at City National Bank
8:05 PM – Group Q&A / Open Discussion
8:45 PM – Closing Remarks & Mingling
9:00 PM – Event EndsAbout the Speakers
- Shane Matthews is a Senior UI/UX Designer at Turion Space with 11+ years of experience across product design, design systems, and creative direction. Before Turion, he was a Fractional Design Director with TechCXO, advising early-stage startups on product and design strategy. Outside of work, he loves cooking, surfing, video games, and spending time with his family.
- Gabriel Guevara is VP of User Experience and Design Operations at City National Bank. Raised in El Salvador, he studied design in Buenos Aires and found his way into UX from branding and graphic design. He spent nearly eight years at Applaudo Studios working with brands like Walmart, Wyndham, and the Miami Heat. He has also taught UX and UI, and he cares most about helping designers grow into their potential. Outside of work, he’s usually in the garage on a woodworking project, tinkering with home automation, or spending time with his wife, their two daughters, and their dog.
Why attend?
Many designers don’t get much exposure to real-life, shipped projects or a wide variety of UI across industries—and that’s exactly what this showcase offers.You’ll get to see what crisp, clean, high-impact UX looks like in the real world—not just in theory. From storytelling to execution, come learn how experienced designers tackle complex challenges and present their work with clarity and polish.
*Note: Irvine Ranch Water District makes its facilities available for use by residents and nonprofit organizations merely as a public service, but does not, by allowing this use, endorse or support the purpose of the event or its sponsor.
35 attendees
Past events
33
