The Irreplaceable Designer
Build influence, confidence, and business credibility
Great designers don’t just create great work. They make people believe in it.
Do you ever feel like your ideas are not getting the attention they deserve? Or that you know the right solution, but struggle to get others aligned and excited about it?
You will learn how to:
👉 Communicate your ideas with confidence and clarity
👉 Influence stakeholders and drive better decisions
👉 Connect design thinking to business outcomes
👉 Become a trusted partner leaders rely on
💸 Government Funding & Design Skillnet subsidy available, including support for jobseekers and a 25% Design Skillnet subsidy.
Next round kick-off
August 14, 2026
Limited to 6 participants
Applications for next cohort open until
August 12, 2026
Fee
€225.00* – with Design Skillnet funding for IDI Member (25% subsidy applied)
€300.00* – First cohort price (Standard price for future cohorts is €450)
Mid to Manager
Skill level
1 day, in person
Duration
min 1 year
Experience
Dublin 4
Location
You are a good designerBut good design only works if the right people understand it
You’ve been in that meeting. You presented a well researched idea and it fell flat.
A stakeholder challenged it, and a PM pushed back.
Someone with no UX experience overrode the decision and you did not know how to respond.
You know what? It is not your design skills holding you back.
It is that nobody ever taught you how to turn a good decision into an approved one.
Read the room
Know who matters and what they care about.
Land your work
Build a business case with the UX KPI Tree and Decision Tree.
Hold your ground
Push back with confidence. Keep the relationship intact.
Leave with a plan
Three changes. One deadline. Someone holding you accountable.
From Design to Decision
How it works
1 day | 5 modules | 4 tools you can use straight away
Every module has a short input, a real exercise, and peer feedback. You leave with skills you have actually practised, not just heard about.
Read the room, who actually holds the decision, what they care about, and what will make them say yes or no:
- Map the stakeholders in the room
- What they care about
- Who the real decision maker is
- What objections you are likely to face before you walk in
Most designers walk into a room and explain their work. You’ll leave this block with something stronger: a business case.
You’ll learn:
-
The 3-Level KPI Tree (Business Metric ➔ Product Metric ➔ User Behavior)
-
The 5-Node Decision Tree Prep Structure (Root, Evidence, Options, Value, Validation)
-
The Four Entry Points Strategy (Pitching dynamically to Executives, Developers, Marketing, or Sales)
Present the case with real physical and vocal confidence, including handling hard questions live
- Get comfortable in front of a room.
- Handle difficult questions.
- You will present live, get feedback, and be offered a recording of your practice presentation.
Learn how not to fold when someone pushes back:
- Defend your work without getting defensive.
- Push back on bad decisions without damaging the relationship.
- Practise the three most common difficult UX scenarios.
Leave with a concrete one-page plan:
- 3 things you are stopping,
- 1 thing you are changing next week
- 1 stakeholder relationship you are actively working on.
You leave with five tools in your hand and on your laptop. Use them Monday.
- Stakeholder Map
- UX KPI Tree
- UX Tree Decision Framework
- Difficult Conversations Playbook
- Personal Communication Style Profile
Our graduates work in companies such as
You will learn from
Valentina Antunovic
Founder & CEO at UX Tree | Design Manager at Vhi Healthcare
Summary
- 10+ years of experience
- MSc in UX Design
- Based in Dublin, Ireland
- Founder, 2021
Top Skills
- Feedback and Critique Skills
- UX Research
- Project Management Guidance
- Industry Knowledge and Experience
“One challenge I hear consistently from designers is confidence in communication. Presenting work, influencing stakeholders, and navigating difficult conversations have become some of the most important skills in modern UX, especially as AI takes on more of the technical execution.
With support from Design Skillnet, I created this workshop to help designers build the communication skills that drive real career growth and impact.”
– Valentina, Founder
Why this course?
This course teaches UX designers how to turn good design work into decisions that get approved.
Not how to design better, but how to get already-good design work through a room of people who don't think like designers and don't automatically trust it.
UX Tree & Design Skillnet
Design Skillnet subsidy
How is the co-funding from Design Skillnet allocated?
Co-funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to successful, eligible applicants. For more detailed information, please check the Design Skillnet website.
What if I am not a member of any of the eligible organisations but want to apply for co-funding?
If you are not a member, you should email info@idi-design.ie to find out how to join the IDI.
Who funds Design Skillnet?
Design Skillnet is co-funded by Skillnet Ireland and network companies.
Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund and the European Union through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Who is eligible for this co-funding?
To be eligible for this co-funding, you must be a member of one of the following organisations: IDI (Institute of Designers in Ireland), ICAD (Institute of Creative Advertising and Design), IAPI (Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland), or 100 Archive.
Is there a special membership option for recent graduates?
Yes, if you have graduated within the last three years, you can get started with a special €30 graduate membership with IDI.
What is the cost of a standard IDI membership for non-recent graduates?
The standard/full (non-graduate) membership of IDI costs €197 per annum, plus a one-off €50 application fee.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQs provide quick, easy answers to the most common questions about our products and services, helping you find the information you need without hassle
Yes. The workshop is designed for UX designers at all stages. Junior designers often get the most from it because they are building these habits early — before they become difficult to change.
Full refunds are available up to 10 days before the workshop. Within 10 days, your place can be transferred to another person or held as credit toward a future UX Tree workshop.
Yes! Upon completion, you’ll receive a UX Tree certificate, which you can showcase on your LinkedIn and portfolio.
Discuss your payment options
Got questions?
We’re here to help! Contact us at +353871607207 or ask below.