The Next Chapter ~ Celebrating Community and the Love of Books

Hey, Product Friends! ✨ Welcome to Tokyo Design Community, we are the leading AI-driven product design communities in Japan. We're focused on AI-native practical insights, real-world experience, job-hunting in Japan, career advancement and learning together. This session, we're tackling two questions every designer quietly wonders about: what does growth really look like today, and how do you actually get hired? We'll wrap up with a hands-on portfolio workshop where you can work on your own portfolio, case study, or resume with the credit sponsors from Lovable and Tapnow. For a long time, the path seemed clear: master the craft, earn the next title. At the same time, the hiring bar has never been higher. Teams expect broader skill sets, and building a portfolio that stands out is a challenge of its own. You're practicing with AI and shipping with vibe coding tools, but is that enough to land the job you want? That's why we're inviting speakers from different backgrounds to share their insights and insider tips: a designer who has grown across disciplines, and a former UX designer turned recruiter who now sees the hiring side up clos You might be wondering: Should I go deeper in my specialty or broaden my skill set? How do I know which sideways move is the right one for me? How do recruiters read a designer's background, especially a non-linear one? What makes a candidate stand out in today's AI-era job market? Event Highlights: 🌱 Grow Sideways, Stay Rooted: Vincent's journey from graphic design and editorial to branding, then product and experience, and why depth matters as much as range 🔍 The Hiring Side: Insider insights on job-hunting from a former UX designer turned recruiter 💬 Q&A 💜 Portfolio Critique & workshop with FREE credits from Lovable and Tapnow hands-on working session on your case study/ portfolio website/ resume etc. 🙌 Optional networking session 🎙️Featured Speakers: Vincent Wijaya Vincent is a Design Director (Product & Experience) at VM

Bookmarked: Dear Future Me 💌📖 An afternoon of inspiring reads, quiet reflection & letters to our future selves. Dear Soulmates, As the year slowly comes to an end, we're making a little space to slow down, turn a few pages, and think about the chapters we're living through. For this special edition of Bookmarked, we're inviting you to bring a book that inspires you. It could be a story that changed how you see the world, a book that brought you comfort, or simply one that means something to you. We'll spend some time reading together, share a little about the books we've brought, and then write a letter to our future selves — something to look back on a year from now. No big resolutions. No pressure to have everything figured out. Just a little time to read, reflect, and connect. 📖 What to expect Quiet reading time with your own book Gentle conversations about the books that inspire us A letter-writing moment for your future self Good company and a cozy afternoon with fellow book lovers 💌 What to bring A book that inspires you (any genre!) Your favourite pen, if you'd like An open mind and a little curiosity We'll provide paper and envelopes for your letters. You'll seal your letter and take it home to open in November 2027. Come for the books. Stay for the people. ☕ Please note that all attendees are required to purchase at least one drink at the venue. Thank you for supporting the space hosting us! With love, Paper & Soul