You didn't come this far to stay stuck.

Designed Forward is the career community built for designers ready to move — whether you're just starting out, pivoting in, or pushing for the next level.

Free to join.  Real support.  No fluff.

Matt Karakilic
⏱️ 17+ years in the industry
🏆 Led Fortune Global 500s
⭐ Fortune 100 Best Workplaces
UX Leader Career Coach People First Community Architect Event Curator
Trusted by
Hitachi Energy Best Buy Canada AutoTrader HP UKG UXPA

Here's what nobody tells you about breaking into design.

Your portfolio isn't the problem. Your resume isn't the problem. The problem is you don't have anyone in your corner who's actually been there — someone who can tell you the truth, help you see what you're missing, and push you forward when you want to give up.

That's exactly why Designed (to move you) Forward exists.

🎓
You graduated with great skills and zero strategy

Nobody taught you how to position yourself, network effectively, or navigate a design interview.

🧭
You have the drive but not the roadmap

Career switchers bring incredible perspective — but the path from where you are to where you want to be isn't obvious.

📍
You feel stuck but don't know why

Mid-level designers hit invisible ceilings. The skills that got you here won't always get you there.

Matt Karakilic speaking on stage

I've been where you are. And I've been where you want to go.

I'm Matt Karakilic — UX leader, career coach, and someone who genuinely cares about the humans behind the portfolios and resumes!

⏱️ 17+ years in the industry 🏆 Led Fortune Global 500 companies ⭐ Learned from Fortune 100 Best Workplaces Ex-Hitachi Energy · HP · Best Buy · AutoTrader Student Entrepreneur of the Year UXPA Conferences' Volunteers' Chair 🇨🇦 Top Mentors in Canada — Ranked #3
"I'll be warm with you. I'll be honest with you. And when you need it, I'll be direct with you. Because that's what actually moves people forward."

I've led UX teams across four continents, built design practices from scratch, and spent the last several years coaching hundreds of designers through career transitions, job searches, salary negotiations, and the messy middle of figuring out what's next.


Join the community — it's free
Matt's achievements — Guinness World Records, UXPA Award, speaking events

The work speaks for itself.

Tony Robbins called him out. In a room full of thousands.

At a live Tony Robbins event, Matt was personally recognized from the stage — hand-picked from thousands of attendees as one of the most active, dedicated, and generous community members in the room. Not just for showing up. But for lifting others.

"Some of these people were cheerleaders — but they really led by example." — Tony Robbins, TR Inner Circle
🎖️

UXPA Volunteer Service Award

Recognized by the User Experience Professionals Association International for significant contributions to the UX field.

🎤

International Speaker & Mentor

Featured on ADPList, Tony Robbins programs, and design conferences across North America.

🏆

2× Guinness World Record Holder

Most participants in an underwater clean-up in 24 hours. Most people to take an online assistive technology lesson in 24 hours.

🎓

Student Entrepreneur of the Year — SFU

Recognized at Simon Fraser University for entrepreneurial achievements and community contributions.

Start free. Grow at your own pace.

No pressure. No pushy sales. Just support at the level that makes sense for you right now.

01 Free

Join a community that actually gets you

This isn't a feed of strangers. It's a space built on inclusivity, acceptance, and people genuinely helping each other move forward — whether that's posting a job lead, offering a referral, asking a hard question, or just showing up for someone who needs it.

You'll find weekly insights, free resources, live events, job posts, and designers at every stage of their career — from students to senior leaders.

Matt shows up here regularly. This isn't a ghost town.

Real answers. Real presence. Not a course you buy and never hear from again.

I'm in! Take me there!
02

Go deeper with Matt AI

Unlock Matt AI — a career coaching assistant trained on 1,000+ hours of real coaching sessions. Ask it anything, anytime. Interview prep, portfolio feedback, salary negotiation, career pivots. Feeling stuck, lost, or just not sure what your next move is? Ask away — Matt AI can be your career and life coach whenever you need it.

03 $79 / month

Get direct access to Matt

Weekly live Q&As with Matt, peer accountability, and a community of designers at every level pushing forward together. Or go all in with 1:1 coaching for personalized strategy.

Find the right level of support for where you are right now.

Free

Community

$0
forever free

  • Designed Forward community access
  • Job posts & career resources
  • Free events & content from Matt
  • Matt AI access
  • Weekly live Q&A with Matt
  • 1:1 coaching
Join Free
AI Coach

Matt AI

$9
$25
beta founding rate · cancel anytime

🔒 This beta rate is yours as long as you stay subscribed. Cancel and return within 30 days and we'll reinstate it. After 30 days, the public rate of $25/month applies.


  • Designed Forward community access
  • Job posts & career resources
  • Free events & content from Matt
  • Unlimited Matt AI access 24/7
  • Weekly live Q&A with Matt
  • 1:1 coaching
Start for $9 — Beta Access
Premium

1:1 with Matt

Custom
by inquiry

  • Everything in Full Access
  • Direct 1:1 sessions with Matt
  • Personalized problem solving tailored to your exact situation
  • Resume, portfolio & salary negotiation support
  • Direct access to the real Matt — not just the AI*
  • And so much more...

*Matt responds as he's available. Because he's human, not a bot.

Let's Talk

Founding member rates available for early joiners · 30-day cancellation grace period · USD pricing

Don't take our word for it.

★★★★★

"Matt embodies the qualities of a true leader. He brings a rare combination of strength and humility, serving as a profound inspiration. A guiding light in our professional journey."

MR
Manoj Rajamani
Global UX Leader, Hitachi Energy
★★★★★

"Matt is one of the most well-rounded UX practitioners I've ever worked with. His curiosity, intelligence, and design skills are second to none. He has one of the biggest hearts in the business."

JB
John Burnett
Sr. UX Researcher, UKG
★★★★★

"Matt's 'no BS' approach is refreshing. Owning his level of experience could result in arrogance — but not Matt. He's the real deal, the kind of professional I genuinely enjoy learning from."

NB
Nuna Baptista
Design Systems Manager, Hitachi Vantara

Questions? Good. Here are the honest answers.

Is the free community actually free? What's the catch? +
Completely free. No credit card, no trial period, no catch. Matt genuinely believes in giving value first. The paid tiers exist for those who want more — but nobody is going to pressure you into them.
What can Matt AI actually help me with? +
Interview prep, resume and portfolio positioning, job search strategy, salary negotiation, career pivots — trained on 1,000+ hours of real 1:1 coaching sessions. It responds the way Matt would, available 24/7. And it's not just for career stuff — feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just not sure what your next move is in life? Ask away. Matt AI can show up as your career coach, thinking partner, and life coach whenever you need it.
Is this only for UX designers? +
Not at all. While the community is built around design and careers, Matt AI is for anyone who needs a real conversation — not a distraction. Teenagers figuring out their path, adults navigating a career change, or anyone who just needs someone to listen without judgment. Unlike the noise of social media or generic AI tools, Matt AI is focused, warm, and human in its approach. It's built on real coaching conversations — the kind where someone actually helps you get to the core of what's holding you back. You don't have to be a designer. You just have to be someone who doesn't want to figure it all out alone.
What happens if I cancel my paid subscription? +
You keep access until the end of your billing period. If you return within 30 days, your rate is fully reinstated. After 30 days, the current rate applies. You always keep your free community access regardless.
How often is Matt actually active in the community? +
Regularly. Matt posts, responds, and hosts weekly live Q&A sessions for paid members. This isn't a course platform where you buy something and never hear from the creator again. You'll know he's there.

Your next move starts here.

Join free today. No credit card. No commitment. Just a community of designers and like-minded people moving forward...

Join the community — it's free

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