Vitaly Friedman

Practical insights for better UX • Running “Measure UX” and “Design Patterns For AI” • Founder of SmashingMag • Speaker • Loves writing, checklists and running workshops on UX. 🍣

Berlin, Berlin, Germany

About

As a UX Lead, I’ve been working with mid-size and large organizations for 20+ years, helping improve UX of complex systems and intricate design challenges — but also measure UX and design impact and design effective AI experience. Among many others, I’ve been working with the European Parliament, OTTO, Zalando, Marc O'Polo, Axel Springer SE, REWE Digital, Alliander and others. I’m also founder and editor-in-chief of SmashingMag since 2006, an online magazine for designers and developers, where he helps curate friendly, inclusive front-end and UX conferences (SmashingConf). I love dealing with complexity, fixing broken processes and work with difficult stakeholders. I also love writing, speaking, solving UX challenges, running workshops, and sharing what I’ve learned — and refining little details that matter to make sure people actually use, value and perhaps even fall in love with our digital products. 🍎 Email: [email protected]

Experience

  • Smashing Media AG (Remote)
    • 🔮 Design Patterns For AI Interfaces
      Oct 2025 - Present · 10 mos

      Video library on “Design Patterns For AI Interfaces”, with practical tips around UX and interface design, along with a live UX training taking place twice a year.

    • 🍎 How To Measure UX and Design Impact
      Oct 2024 - Present · 1 yr 10 mos

      Creator of the video library on “How To Measure UX and Design Impact”, with practical tips around UX and interface design, along with a live UX training taking place twice a year.

    • 🍣 Smart Interface Design Patterns
      Dec 2021 - Present · 4 yrs 8 mos

      Creator of the video library on “Smart Interface Design Patterns”, with practical tips around UX and interface design, along with a live UX training taking place twice a year.

  • Senior UX Advisor at European Parliament
    Jan 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 7 mos

  • Curator, Creative Lead at Smashing Conferences
    Sep 2012 - Present · 13 yrs 11 mos

    A curator of Smashing Conferences, friendly and inclusive in-person and online events for designers and developers who design and build the web. Taking place in San Francisco, New York, Freiburg, Antwerpen and Barcelona.

  • Smashing Magazine (Self-employed · 21 yrs 6 mos)
    • Editor-in-chief, Founder
      Sep 2006 - Present · 19 yrs 11 mos

      Vitaly Friedman, editor-in-chief of Smashing Magazine (www.smashingmagazine.com), an online magazine for professional designers and front-end engineers.

    • Speaker
      Feb 2005 - Present · 21 yrs 6 mos

      Speaking with love and passion about the techniques and strategies that help designers and front-end engineers get their work done better, and faster.

  • Freelance Web Designer at Freelance
    Jun 2000 - Aug 2008 · 8 yrs 3 mos