Play of the Week newsletter by Chris​ ​ ​​​​

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Newsletter issue: #173
Read time: 1m 16s

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So, I got this message last week:

"Hi Chris, almost ALL my work is under NDA. How can I showcase it in my portfolio?"

I felt that in my SOUL.

A decade in UX, I've done the NDA dance more times than I've had yogurt.

It's the classic designer's paradox:

1. Do amazing work
2. Can't show anyone the amazing work
3. Can't get hired to do more amazing work 🫠

It's like being the world's best chef but only allowed to cook for yourself.

The steaks (🥩 pun intended) are real, people.

If you break your NDA and you're not just risking a slap on the wrist:

• ​Immediate firing (awkward)
• Legal action (expensive)
• Professional reputation trashed (devastating)
• Financial penalties that make your student loans look cute

So what can you do to NOT accidentally reveal proprietary data and the company's secret sauce that have competitors licking their lips?

Here’s the plan:

1. Generalize the problem - Talk broad strokes about problems you solved without the specifics
2. Blur the sensitive stuff - Think witness protection program for your designs
3. Recreate similar versions - Showcase your skills without showing the actual work
4. Password-protect your work - Like locking your Netflix account after your ex's entire family got the password

But the absolute GOLDEN RULE:

Always. Get. Permission. First.

Not verbal permission. Get it in writing. Email works.

Your career integrity is worth more than any portfolio piece. How you handle confidential work says everything about your professionalism.

NDAs are just hurdles, not walls.

Run, jump, and stick the landing.

Want my full NDA portfolio guide?

Click here to get the real examples you can legally steal 👇

🔥 NEW

The goings ons

Happenings & shenanigans in the (design) world and beyond

Perplexity just acquired Visual Electric. One of the best image generation platforms (built for designers) is shutting down in the next 90 days. The Visual Electric team will join Perplexity to form a new Agent Experiences group. This won't be the last time we see AI companies acquire in order consolidate the market. Will Claude get in the image gen game? Which product is going to get acquired (and killed) next?

Claude's Keep Thinking brand campaign has made designers bend at their knees. Their going through a rebrand. This video is their line in the sand. I WANT A BROWN HAT!

sam mcallister @sammcallister GOOD MORNING NEW YORK CITY COME DO YOUR BEST THINKING AT OUR THINKING SPACE IN THE WEST VILLAGE SAY NO TO SLOP 7:59 PM • Oct 3, 2025 201 Retweets 5958 Likes Read 292 replies

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ChatGPT now turn your ideas into editable FigJam diagrams. Bring on the integrations from AI to Design tools we use everyday! Here's a quick demo. On this news, Figma's stock jumped 15% on Monday.

​FUSECON 2025 🇲🇾 was a blast! Not only did I meet some industry vets, make new friends, and knock back some gin 🍸 , I got told my keynote was "easily my favourite of the event", "your slides were amazing", "you're a really good storyteller". Looks like I'm gonna go back next year, if not to speak, definitely to just hang out at the after party!

That's it for today. Speak soon 💛 ​ ​ — Chris

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