Why Smashing Magazine Is Speaking Out

This is not a typical Smashing Magazine article. These are not typical times, either. The war in Ukraine has touched many of us personally, including the Smashing team. Some of our colleagues have Ukrainian origins; many of us have close friends and collaborators in the country. We have watched the shelling of residential streets, families fleeing their homes, and communities torn apart — in the middle of Europe, in the 21st century. Silence is not an option for a design community that believes in democracy and in the right of every child to grow up with dreams.

In response, Smashing Magazine is donating all proceeds from the sale of the Interface Design Checklists PDF to humanitarian organizations supporting Ukraine. So far, that effort has raised 16,944.73 EUR (US$ 18,663.86), which was transferred to Aktion Deutschland Hilft e.V.; more donations will follow in the coming days.

This cause is deeply personal. Many of us grew up in the region, in Belarus, in Ukraine, in Russia, surrounded by friends from all over. We know the people affected — kind, passionate individuals who want nothing more than a better world for their families.

Immediate Steps You Can Take

No contribution is too small. There are ways to help from wherever you are:

  • Set up a product and donate profits. If you run a store, offer a product where buyers set their own price and direct all funds to Ukraine. A model example is BackStage Roasters, a Lithuanian coffee shop whose proceeds support Ukraine. See this thread of donation options for ideas.
  • Raise the issue where you work. Use your company’s internal channels to discuss what your organization can do — whether that is launching a fundraising campaign or providing direct financial aid.
  • Amplify the helpers. Publish and share stories about companies and organizations supporting Ukraine, like Wix.com, whose staff drove to the Poland–Ukraine border to escort Ukrainian coworkers and their families to safety.
  • Support refugees near you. Reach out locally for what is needed: clothing, shelter, old phones, or other essentials for the displaced.
  • Stand with your Ukrainian friends. Make your position clear and ask them directly what they need from you.
  • If you run a VPN service, support Russian citizens. As media and social platforms are blocked inside Russia, create special plans for Russian users and publish guidance, in Russian, on setting up VPNs and Telegram proxies so people can access uncensored information.

Contributing Directly

To contribute directly to relief efforts, the following routes are useful:

  • Buy the “Interface Design Checklists” PDF ($30): all proceeds go to Ukraine. Multiple copies can be purchased at checkout.
Smart Interface Design Patterns Checklists
We are donating all proceeds of the Smart Interface Design Patterns PDF to support Ukraine. You can select as many PDFs as you wish when making a purchase.
  • Buy the “Ethical Design Handbook” eBook ($19): all proceeds go to Ukraine. Multiple copies can be purchased at checkout. Thanks to Trine Falbe, Martin Michael Frederiksen, and Kim Andersen for their support.
  • Lists for foreign citizens: well-structured advice on donating, humanitarian actions, and reaching your authorities to influence the response.
  • Resources for refugees: a maintained list of shelter maps and actionable steps to help refugees and support aid organizations.
  • Ukrainian organizations and funds: links to various campaigns — caritas, children’s funds, and general humanitarian aid.
  • Designers United for Ukraine: a Discord channel connecting designers and businesses helping displaced Ukrainian colleagues continue their work and reach safety.
  • Protests near you: lists of peaceful demonstrations so you can join and show solidarity.
  • If internet is blocked for people in your circle: install or recommend free tools like ProtonVPN or discounted plans from NordVPN and PrivateVPN (the last two are free to test for 30 days). Share lists of Telegram proxies in Russian.

We all are Ukraine. And we all can make a difference.