Belfast Design Meetup
Belfast Design Meetup is a free after-work event for designers to learn, connect, and grow together. Starting at 5:30 PM, we’ll have talks, discussions, and real-world experience sharing in Belfast City Centre at the stunning MCS Group event space.
T A L K S
① Building the Networking App by Martin Gilchrist, Founder of a Networking App.
Join Martin for an interactive session exploring the mobile app he’s building. He’ll start with a product presentation, followed by a moderated discussion and Q&A about the problems it solves, his approach, and its key features.
With mentoring and input from the room, we’ll turn that discussion into action and work together to create the app’s second version during the meetup.
Many people know Martin Gilchrist through his accounting work and the communities and events he’s involved in across Belfast and Northern Ireland. Many also know how much he loves networking and that he’s now building The Networking App. We’ve invited Martin to share what it’s really like to build a product himself, from ideas and design to testing, development and coding. But sharing his experience is just the starting point. Together, we’ll explore user research, identify problems and pain points, discuss which metrics matter and how to improve them, and apply those insights to Martin’s app. This is a chance to learn through practice how to make a product more valuable to its users and turn that understanding into its next version.
② Build Something People Actually Want by Ross Edwards, Co-Founder of The SystemMan and Client Capture.
A founder-focused talk exploring what Ross has learned from nearly two decades of building and experimenting with technology, followed by work across fintech, sustainability, research, and design.
The central theme is people, processes, and systems: how we move from an interesting technological idea to something people genuinely find useful.
Ross will explore rapid prototyping, AI-assisted design and development, automation, customer feedback, and what starting a technology company has taught him about the gap between what we can build and what we should build.
W H E R E
The venue is the MCS Group office event space, located on the 10th Floor of The Ewart, 3 Bedford St, Belfast BT2 7EP. We’d like to thank MCS Group for hosting the event and providing beers and soft drinks. It’s a space designed for open conversation, fresh ideas, and community learning.
C H E C K I N
Please try to arrive between 5:30pm and 6:00pm, as this is our check in window and we’ll be welcoming all guests during this time.
If you’re running a little late, don’t worry, we’ll do our best to help you get access.
If you have any issues, please send a message in the Belfast Design Community WhatsApp group and someone will help you. If you’re not yet in the group, visit the Belfast.Design website and click “Become a Member”.
P A R K I N G
🅿️ Around The Ewart – 3 Bedford St, Belfast BT2 7EP. It might be a bit challenging to find a spot, but since it’s an after work event, you will likely find one with a bit of patience.
🅿️ Little Victoria Street Car Park – Downshire Pl, Belfast BT2 7JQ. Conveniently located nearby.
🅿️ NCP Belfast The Tannery – 1 Francis St, Belfast BT1 1EJ. The most affordable option, about a 12-minute walk from the venue.
Everyone is welcome, including Developers, Managers, Experience Designers, Product Designers, all types of Designers, Marketers, Researchers, and all UX-related professionals. This event isn’t just for designers; it’s for anyone interested in creating better user experiences and learning from one another.
Keep learning and meet new people.
The event takes place on the second Thursday of every month.
J O I N
Join the Belfast Design Community at www.belfast.design to access our WhatsApp chat, the largest experience and product design library, and exclusive discounts.