Why did you decide to become a mentor?
Having had great mentors, especially at the beginning of my design career, I knew the positive impact I could have on others by sharing my experiences, and demystifying design and the industry at large. Personally, I found that beyond the hard skills, listening to my peers’ viewpoints and stories, has helped me approach challenges through a different lens, and envision my own path with more clarity. This perspective is in my opinion crucial, to maintain the attitude and motivation required to thrive in a competitive industry.
Even though I consider myself a lifelong learner, I felt I was ready to contribute to the community and support others in this way. Moreover, mentoring other designers also helps me solidify my soft skills, become a better leader, and step outside my professional circle’s echo chamber. I’ve learned that providing guidance and support requires a different mindset than the one employed in the day-to-day tasks of a product designer. Both mentees and mentors learn and grow through the mentorship experience, in a very tangible way.
How did you get your career start?
I started my career at a small advertising agency, 15 years ago. I was mainly working on brand activation projects (from social media campaigns, event branding for both digital and physical spaces, to web design) for a few cool brands. This experience was a great “school”, especially for someone who was just starting out — aside from wearing multiple hats, the pace was also speedy, forcing me to be adaptable and juggle multiple daily tasks. While I’m not a believer in the so called “fast-paced environment” (at least not as a sustainable, long-term way of approaching creative or nuanced work); I recognise that it played an important role in my development as a designer.
These first 4 years prepared me to think on my feet; build a portfolio, and become quite versatile; which was very helpful in subsequent roles. However, I also became increasingly interested in product design. I realised that the nature of the work I was doing was quite ephemeral, and even though the creative aspect was exciting, my primary focus was on aesthetics. I wanted to design products that were actually used by people; products that responded to real needs and could have a lasting impact. That’s when I decided to transition into UI initially, and later UX design.
Around that time, I was fortunate to have a great mentor who played a pivotal role in my career and personal development. The chance to receive honest and constructive feedback was key — it allowed me to identify and work on areas I needed to improve, faster; it mitigated any worries related to making a mistake or asking “stupid” questions. In this safe setting, I also grew more aware of the business side of design; I learned that managing my energy was essential (as important or more, than managing my time); I expanded my design knowledge, not only within the UI/UX sphere, but also regarding other disciplines. I felt supported and validated.
I realised that impostor syndrome was very common, and experienced designers felt it too. One of my biggest realisations was that everyone, in one way or another, is figuring it all out as they go. Being able to relate to a peer I looked up to, helped me build self-confidence — this played a huge role in the steps I took since then, and to this day.
What do mentees usually come to you for?
My mentees reach out with varying needs; from portfolio reviews or support with building specific case-studies, regular design feedback on their day-to-day projects, guidance on project approach or planning, career advancement (such as working towards a promotion or applying to a new role); to navigating the corporate world more broadly, such as discussing typical challenges or improving their soft skills.
Before a mentorship starts, I always have an initial call with my mentee to understand their needs, challenges and goals deeper; and outline the ways in which I’m able to support. This is also an opportunity for both of us to get to know each other and discern if we’re a good match. From there, I create a tailored mentorship plan, where we set formal objectives together, and the right cadence for specific milestones. This is our “roadmap” for the outcomes we aim to achieve; it enables us to break down larger goals into smaller, achievable tasks. It also allows us to visualise the path ahead, measure progress and ultimately, success.
My role is to guide mentees through the process, whether that entails sharing practical tips and resources, roleplaying real-life scenarios, or going through exercises together — the only requirement is that the mentee is present and dedicated to applying new knowledge. This is why I believe in paid mentorships for long-term alliances, because they constitute a commitment from both parties to invest their energy and achieve a tangible outcome. My goal is to end each session with a clear action plan, so that my mentees know what are the important steps they should take, or aspects they can reflect or work on, until the next time we meet. Between sessions, I’m reachable for add-hoc support and aim to provide timely and honest feedback, which they can apply straight away.
What's been your favourite mentorship success story so far?
My favourite success story is from one of my very first mentees. Someone who decided to start her mentorship to overcome a few challenges which had been identified by her manager, during a performance review. Naturally, this mentee felt apprehensive and doubtful regarding her capacity to turn things around. So, our first step was to put things in perspective, look at what she was already doing very well, and what the positive side of such event could be. She quickly started to see it as an opportunity, a stepping stone to evolve and learn as a designer; and her ambition really started to flourish.
We worked together for a couple of months to address the specific aspects that her manager wanted to monitor. On all those subsequent check-ins, she demonstrated (and documented) tangible progress, including positive feedback from her peers, who noticed substancial improvement on her contribution and communication.
As time passed, and once the most pressing concerns were addressed, we started to work on other (related and new) aspects, which not only contributed to her performance at the company but more importantly, to her confidence and personal development. This led to the mentee starting to build her portfolio (which ended up taking the form of a beautiful Figma prototype).
Her determination and hard work led to brilliant results — she not only overcame the original performance challenges, but also felt genuinely happy in her role. What’s more: even though she ended up not pursuing a new job, building a portfolio she was proud of, and being aware of her skills and valuable traits, was crucial to being more proactive and asserting herself. It was beyond inspiring for me to witness her strength and motivation. Her talent and positive qualities had always been there, all she needed was to acknowledge those and act in accordance.
What are you getting out of being a mentor?
I’m inspired by my mentees every day. They’re a new generation of designers with a lot to offer, who grew up in a different context, who absorbed from a different environment than myself and my peers; and that difference brings tremendos value and insight to today’s market. I’m also stimulated by their drive and passion.
Being a mentor has also been a learning opportunity; it has expanded my perception to formulate unbiased perspectives, it keeps me on my toes, and my ego in check; and it has broadened my understanding of people, design, and how things can be done. Recalling past experiences or sharing lessons, also helps me create a cohesive narrative and solidify knowledge.
Moreover, being a mentor has helped me stretch my comfort zone and flex my leadership skills. A good mentor embodies the qualities of a good coach; is someone who guides, not directs you. I’ve learned that a good mentor is not only cheering you on along the way, but also expands your discernment, by sharing the type of knowledge that isn’t always obvious from “on-the-job” experience (especially early in a design career). Above all, they should be someone you trust and who holds space for your growth to happen.
Being able to support designers and play the role of a mentor means a lot, and I get endless fulfilment from witnessing my mentees grow and evolve. I genuinely feel their victories as if those were mine. I believe giving back and knowledge sharing make the world go round. I also believe curiosity, ethical conduct, and the relationships we forge, are invaluable in the design industry.