Services
$360 / month
Start free, decide later
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1
Free intro call
No card needed to book. -
2
Ongoing calls + chat
2 × 60-min calls per month, unlimited Q&A. Replies in 2 days. -
3
No lock-in
Month to month, no contract.
MentorCruise summary
Michel is a Designer Advocate at Figma. He has nearly 30 years of international experience in product design leadership, including work at Atlassian and Shopify. He helps product designers improve portfolios and resumes, prepare for interviews, and move toward senior or leadership roles.
Based on 5 verified mentee reviews
- Two reviewers value his advice on tailoring resumes for new roles.
- Two people describe him as patient, attentive, and encouraging during mentoring conversations.
About
Hi, I’m Michel—a Designer Advocate at Figma and a product design leader with nearly 30 years of international experience across Figma, Xero, Atlassian, Shopify and Booking.com.
I help mid-to-senior product designers who are strong at their craft but struggle to make their experience, judgment and impact visible.
You might be rebuilding your portfolio, preparing for interviews, working toward a promotion, moving into leadership or finding it difficult to influence decisions inside a complex organisation. We’ll identify what is holding you back and create a practical plan for moving forward.
We can work on:
• Portfolio case studies that demonstrate judgment, influence and measurable impact
• Résumé positioning and behavioural interview storytelling
• Career strategy, promotion readiness and professional positioning
• Stakeholder communication and presenting ideas with confidence
• Design leadership and influence without formal authority
• Strategic thinking, design systems and enterprise product design
My approach is direct, supportive and practical. I won’t simply tell you that everything looks good. You’ll receive honest feedback, clear priorities and specific actions you can take between sessions.
During our first month, we’ll define your most important goal and create a focused 90-day plan. Each conversation builds on that plan so the mentorship creates visible progress—not just a series of disconnected calls.
I’ve mentored hundreds of designers through CareerFoundry, Springboard, Dribbble, Echos and private coaching. Mentees have worked with me to improve their portfolios and résumés, communicate more confidently in interviews, navigate career decisions and prepare for greater influence and leadership.
I mentor in English and Portuguese.
Send me a message describing your biggest career challenge. I’ll tell you honestly whether I’m the right mentor to help.
What mentees say
5 out of 5 stars
I booked a portfolio review with Michel as I’m looking for senior-level roles and wanted an objective perspective on my site and how I tell my story. I’d asked friends and colleagues for feedback, but their responses tended to be “looks good, hard to find improvements”, so I was looking for a more critical eye. Michel helped me unpack what was unclear in the portfolio and my narrative, giving thoughtful, constructive feedback that helped me understand where I needed to focus. I appreciated how he combined honest criticism with a positive, encouraging conversation. I left feeling energised about the work ahead, with a clearer sense of how to strengthen my portfolio and communicate my experience. His advice was invaluable, and I hope to catch up with him again.
Tom
Session: Portfolio Feedback
5 out of 5 stars
I was a teacher for 17 years so I have a keen eye for teaching and mentor style. Michel's is exemplary. Great listener, patient, and keeps goals on track. Excellent mentor!
Tom
Standard Plan • 1 month
5 out of 5 stars
Michel is the certainty that I'm moving in the right direction. Working with Michel as my product design and public speaking mentor has been invaluable. He genuinely wants the best for me, and it shows in everything he does, from the joy and enthusiasm he brings to every conversation, to his mastery of his craft. He goes above and beyond, generously sacrificing his own time and schedule to share his knowledge, whether it's product design, navigating corporate life, or the art of public speaking. Every session with him is a masterclass. His advice is precise, honest, and always rooted in genuine care for my growth, not just as a designer, but as a professional and a person. Mentors like Michel are rare: the kind who make you feel supported and challenged in equal measure.
Flavia
Standard Plan • 2 months
Get to know Michel
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VideoMichel Ferreira - The Science of Good Design
Michel Ferreira speaking at Generate Conference London (23 September 2016)
Read more
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LinkInterview with Michel Ferreira, Product Designer at Atlassian: Lovers Magazine by Spaces
Husband, father of 3 and a total goofball. Michel is a Brazilian Design Manager based in Sydney, Australia where he …
Read more
What happens when you start
You tell Michel your goals. They see exactly what you want to work on before session one.
You meet within days. Michel reviews your application and books your first session, usually within a day or two.
You leave with a plan. Concrete next steps and a weekly rhythm from your very first week.
