Tala El Hallak


Director | Bold Insight | France
Tala El Hallak is a highly experienced design leader, currently serving as the Head of Design at Digital of Things. With a strong background in UX/UI and graphic design, Tala has a proven track record of leading design teams and delivering impactful user experiences. Her extensive career includes significant roles at IBM, where she was a Senior Design Manager and Design Lead/Manager for over seven years, contributing to product design dedicated to enhancing the developer end-to-end journey. Tala is passionate about design leadership, research, and fostering creative design solutions.
From hierarchies to harmony: nurturing talent and team structure in the future of UX.

Join us for two unforgettable days of design inspiration, innovation, and interaction at UX Masterclass 2025
Tala El Hallak


Head of Design | Digital Of Things | Dubai
Tala El Hallak is a highly experienced design leader, currently serving as the Head of Design at Digital of Things. With a strong background in UX/UI and graphic design, Tala has a proven track record of leading design teams and delivering impactful user experiences. Her extensive career includes significant roles at IBM, where she was a Senior Design Manager and Design Lead/Manager for over seven years, contributing to product design dedicated to enhancing the developer end-to-end journey. Tala is passionate about design leadership, research, and fostering creative design solutions.

From hierarchies to harmony: nurturing talent and team structure in the future of UX.
In an era of constant uncertainty and rapid AI-driven change, UX teams must evolve beyond outdated leadership models and rigid structures. This talk explores how misplacing researchers and designers into the wrong leadership roles disrupts creative flow, limits team potential, and hinders overall productivity. At its core, the talk emphasizes the importance of recognizing and empowering two distinct career paths in design: Design Manager and Design Lead (Individual contributor), each with its own value and impact. As UX research becomes increasingly critical in shaping ethical, human-centered experiences, especially in AI-influenced environments, it too demands clear role definition and thoughtful integration into team structures.
By clearly understanding the differences between managing people and leading through craft and insight, and by supporting individuals in the role that best suits their strengths, organizations can unlock higher performance, innovation, and team harmony. With thoughtful leadership and the right role alignment, design teams can thrive in uncertainty, finding their flow and shaping a future where both individuals and organizations grow together.
Talk:

In an era of constant uncertainty and rapid AI-driven change, UX teams must evolve beyond outdated leadership models and rigid structures. This talk explores how misplacing researchers and designers into the wrong leadership roles disrupts creative flow, limits team potential, and hinders overall productivity. At its core, the talk emphasizes the importance of recognizing and empowering two distinct career paths in design: Design Manager and Design Lead (Individual contributor), each with its own value and impact. As UX research becomes increasingly critical in shaping ethical, human-centered experiences, especially in AI-influenced environments, it too demands clear role definition and thoughtful integration into team structures.
By clearly understanding the differences between managing people and leading through craft and insight, and by supporting individuals in the role that best suits their strengths, organizations can unlock higher performance, innovation, and team harmony. With thoughtful leadership and the right role alignment, design teams can thrive in uncertainty, finding their flow and shaping a future where both individuals and organizations grow together.
Head of Design | Digital Of Things | Dubai
Tala El Hallak is a highly experienced design leader, currently serving as the Head of Design at Digital of Things. With a strong background in UX/UI and graphic design, Tala has a proven track record of leading design teams and delivering impactful user experiences. Her extensive career includes significant roles at IBM, where she was a Senior Design Manager and Design Lead/Manager for over seven years, contributing to product design dedicated to enhancing the developer end-to-end journey. Tala is passionate about design leadership, research, and fostering creative design solutions.

2
DAYS
Get ready for two full days of immersive UX exploration. Whether you're a designer, researcher, or innovator, this event is packed with curated keynotes, deep-dive sessions, and hands-on workshops designed to challenge your thinking and spark new ideas. It’s not just a conference — it’s an experience crafted to elevate your UX mindset.
15
EVENTS
Dive into a diverse lineup of 20+ sessions featuring cutting-edge topics in design, AI, accessibility, service design, and more. From thought-provoking panels to interactive case studies, every session is tailored to bring real-world insights and bold future perspectives. Whether you're looking to learn, share, or be inspired — we’ve got something for you.
20
SPEAKERS
Meet 20+ trailblazers in UX from across the globe — from industry pioneers to emerging voices driving innovation. These speakers bring experience from top companies and real-world projects, delivering stories, strategies, and frameworks that leave a lasting impact. Get ready to learn from the best.