The poll results are in.

Hey everyone,

A couple weeks ago I sent a note saying DJRDU was coming back. 66% of you opened it. Zero unsubscribes. That told me something.

I asked where you're feeling the biggest shift in your design work right now. Here's what came back:

Most of you, over half, said "Honestly, I'm not sure."

That's the most honest answer on the list. And it's exactly why we're getting together.

A couple of you pointed to your role on the team changing. One said it's how they prototype and build. One said the tools they use daily. But the signal is clear: something shifted and most of us haven't had the space to figure out what it means yet.

That's what May 8 is for.

Design Jam RDU: The Conversation Your Team Isn't Having

Friday, May 8, 2026
Rooftop, One City Center, Durham
4:00 to 6:00 PM

This isn't a talk. Nobody's presenting slides. Here's the format:

We start with a round where everyone shares the biggest shift they've experienced in how they think about design work in the past year. Not a tool demo. A real answer. Then I'll pull the threads together and we'll have an open conversation about what it all means.

90 minutes. Small group. 8 to 10 people. The kind of room where everyone speaks and everyone gets heard.

What to bring: Just yourself and whatever's been on your mind about where design is heading. If you've been experimenting with AI tools, vibe coding, or new workflows, bring those stories too.

Parking: Corcoran Street Garage (101 S Corcoran St) is one block away from One City Center. $2.25/hr. Chapel Hill Street Garage (Chapel Hill and Mangum, near the post office) is a short walk, same rate. On-street metered parking is also available on Main St (2-hour limit, pay by app or meter).

Want in? Reply to this email and tell me: what's the conversation you wish your team was having about design right now, but isn't? That's your RSVP. I'll use what comes back to shape the room.

If you know someone in the Triangle who should be in this room, forward this to them and have them subscribe: Subscribe to Design Jam RDU

More soon.

James
Purpose UX / Design Jam RDU

💬 Design Jam RDU Slack

And if you haven’t yet, jump into our Slack so we can keep the conversation going before and after the event:

💬 Join the DJRDU Slack