How to Find the Right Design Mentor for Your Career

Imagine you’re on a video call with your new design mentor. You just shared your latest case study, and they’re nodding, not just politely, but with genuine approval. They ask sharp questions. They make you question your approach. Then they tell you about a cool freelance opportunity. That’s what a great mentorship looks like. It’s energizing and expansive.

Julie Zhou, former Design VP at Facebook, says a good mentor should listen, give feedback, and share opportunities. They should keep you in their mind, and tell you about anything they think of that could help you.

A good designer can solve problems like Debbie Millman and think around corners like Khoi Vinh. Especially if you’re just starting out, a mentor can help you get there, so you can go from pushing pixels to artistic OG.

Below, you’ll see how to stop wandering the creative wasteland, and find a mentor who can help you build a unicorn career.

IN THIS GUIDE:

What Is a Design Mentor, and Why Do You Need One?
Where to Find a Design Mentor
Get a Mentor Today
Common Challenges and How to Beat Them
Mentorship and Beyond

A Guide to Your Creative Future

Does this sound familiar?

• “I can’t land a good entry-level job.”
• “Every time I start a project, I agonize over every little decision.”
• “I feel disconnected as a freelancer. I have no idea if I’m progressing.”
• “It feels like everyone else is moving ahead while I’m standing still.”

If you’re singing that sad song, you’re right that a mentor can help. Illustrator Jessica Walsh tells young creatives that success takes guidance, not just talent. Sometimes even a micromentor moment (in a quick Slack message, for instance) can give you the clarity to move forward.

What Is a Design Mentor, and Why Do You Need One?

A design mentor is a professional designer who helps guide another designer’s career. Mentors help junior designers grow their skills and build more effective portfolios. A design mentor can point out new opportunities and help you draw a clear career path. They can also help you feel more energized.

A mentor adds:

• Career Guidance. Helps you set goals and avoid common pitfalls.
• Development. Helps you improve your work during portfolio polish sessions.
• Networking. Introduces you to industry connections.
• Confidence. Gives regular feedback to challenge you to grow.

There are different types of mentorship:

• Formal vs. informal: Structured mentorship programs vs. organic
• One-time vs. long-term: A single advice session vs. ongoing
• Direct vs. indirect: Learning from a dedicated mentor vs. absorbing insights from senior colleague

Khoi Vinh, Principal Designer at Adobe encourages new designers to find mentors, but he doesn’t stop there. He also volunteers as a mentor on Designed.org—a completely free charity. It and other platforms like MentorCruise and ADPList make it easy to find a good mentor match.

Ironically, you need experience to get an entry-level design job. Learn how in our article: What Graphic Designers Need to Know.

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Where to Find a Design Mentor

Trying to find a design mentor can feel like staring at a blank Figma file. You know you need help, but you’re not sure how to get it. The silence can give you tinnitus. Meanwhile, imposter syndrome creeps in like bad kerning.

Lucky for us, today’s design world is packed like a moodboard with structured and informal mentorships. From free platforms to professional groups and online communities, mentors are almost literally everywhere—if you know where to look.

Online Mentoring Platforms

You might consider looking online, where platforms like ADPList, Designed.org, and MentorCruise give you direct access to seasoned designers.

• ADPList: Free one-on-one sessions with designers worldwide, in fields like UX, product, and branding.
• Designed.org: A mentorship space with structured programs and skill-specific guidance.
• MentorCruise: Paid, long-term mentorship with weekly check-ins and goal tracking.

To make the most out of these platforms, be a good mentee (recipient of mentoring). Remember that it’s not a one-way street. For example, be sure to:

• Ask clearly: Be specific about your goals and what kind of feedback you want.
• Respect their time: Come prepared with questions or a portfolio.
• Apply feedback: Take notes, follow advice, and show your progress.

Pro Tip: Nothing turns off a new mentor like a mentee who ignores their advice. Why would they keep guiding someone who doesn’t trust their guidance?

Professional Organizations & Events

Design orgs are the opposite of cold DMs. They’re where real connections are made. Seasoned mentors go to conferences and meetups at organizations like AIGA and UXPA. A chat in a conference hallway can turn into a mentorship that shapes your career. Show up, be curious, and follow up.

Here are some examples:

Organization	What They Offer	Mentorship Opportunities
AIGA	Local chapter meetups, national design conferences, student portfolio reviews	Casual mentorship moments, formal programs in some chapters
UXPA	UX-focused events, global conferences, webinars	Great for finding UX-specific mentors at talks or workshops
DesignTO	Festival-style events, studio tours, panels	Ideal for meeting practicing designers in casual, local settings
IxDA	Interaction design events, regional groups	Good for networking and informal mentorship through discussions

Your Workplace or School

Sometimes, the best mentorships are right in front of you. Professors, other students, or even your boss can give hammered-gold guidance. See if your company has a mentorship program. Reach out to experienced designers on LinkedIn for informal phone chats. Don’t hesitate to ask a coworker for feedback, too. Many seasoned designers like helping junior creatives.

Design Communities Online

You don’t always need a formal intro to find a mentor. Online communities are loaded with experienced designers who like sharing their chops. You don’t have to join all the communities below (that would exhaust you!) Just explore a few to find one you like. A smart comment or DM asking for advice can lead to quick chat or a full mentorship.

Where to Start Connecting

• Twitter: Follow and chat on design accounts like @usemuzli and @Zhenya Rynzhuk
• LinkedIn: Get active in groups like Freelance Graphic and Web Designers
• Dribbble: Share your work and follow designers.
• Medium’s UX Collective: Comment on articles or message contributors you like.
• Slack groups like CreativeTribes: Great for live feedback and peer mentorship.
• Discord servers for design: Channels like Design Buddies have critique sessions and mentorship matchmaking.

Cold Outreach & Coffee Chats

“Hey can we grab a coffee?” Sometimes, reaching out to a designer you like is the best way to start a mentorship. Check out their work and send an email. Ask for a 15-minute coffee chat. In Design is a Job, Mike Monteiro points out that intentional networking and genuine engagement can open doors to mentorships.

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Get a Mentor Today

Whether you’re still building your portfolio or reinventing your career, continuous learning is the skills-growth golden spiral.

When Alina finally landed her dream mentor—a senior product designer at Spotify—she thought she’d hit the career jackpot. But after a few sessions, her mentor stopped replying. What happened? She failed to follow the important tips below. Follow these strategies to keep your mentor invested in your life.

Be Proactive

Have you ever had a friend who always says “let’s hang out” but never has a plan? A good mentorship takes initiative. Set clear goals. Be ready with questions. Take notes to track your progress, and make it clear how their advice is helping you. Mentorship is a two-way street. Your growth depends on the effort you put into it.

Provide Value

Mentorship is give-and-take. Show gratitude for your mentor’s time by sharing articles and webinars you think might interest them. Respect their schedule. Don’t overload them with a scrap bin of excessive requests. A thoughtful mentee makes their mentor feel helpful and capable. Your mentor should look forward to your next chat.

Apply What You Learn

The best way to honor a mentor’s advice is to act on it. Keep notes about your progress and get feedback after you follow their tips. Do challenging projects that stretch your skills, and tell your mentor how you did, and how it felt to you—even if you feel discouraged. Regularly review your work with them to keep improving. Mentorship needs execution, not just conversation.

Know When to Move On

Not all mentorships last forever, and not all should. If your growth plateaus or your goals change, it might be time to look for a new mentor. You don’t have to burn bridges. Keep it professional and thank them for their help. Avoid mentor ghosting, a common mistake where mentees suddenly vanish with no explanation.

One of the most powerful things you can do as an entry-level creative is be yourself. See why in our article on Making Your Mark As a Creative.

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Common Challenges and How to Beat Them

If you’re struggling like a kid in an Edward Gorey illustration, that doesn’t mean you’re off track. You’re probably closer than ever to a breakthrough, but you can’t see that from where you are. Growth hides behind frustration and doubt. “Stay the course” isn’t the right strategy, but do keep pushing, with a few subtle changes. Here’s how to clear the pitfalls below.

Can’t Find a Mentor

Instead of holding out for the perfect fit, adjust your search. Join one of the design communities we mentioned above, like Dribbble or Slack groups. If you can’t find a formal mentorship, get a design buddy. Peer mentorship can be just as valuable. Platforms like MentorCruise have structured mentorships. Notion can help track your learning.

Feeling Unworthy

Imposter syndrome is real. Instead of fixating on where you “should be,” celebrate small wins. Go through your past work to get a handle on your growth. Follow industry leaders like Mike Monteiro, who understand that everyone starts somewhere. Read books like Steal Like an Artist to learn to fill your inspiration tanks. Join a crit squad to get feedback. Most importantly, acknowledge that design is evolution. Every step forward is progress.

Being Off Balance

Juggling mentorship with life and work can be a bear. Set clear expectations with your mentor. Use tools like Notion or Miro to organize your tasks and notes. A Figma jam with peers can help you put what you’ve learned to use. If mentorship feels stressful, re-draft your goals. Keep your expectations realistic. Mentorship should help you grow, not burn you out. Keep it balanced enough that it energizes you and feeds your inner visionary.

Your resume shouldn’t just say what you’ve done. It should show how well you did it. See more in our guide on How to Become an Illustrator.

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Mentorship and Beyond

Mentorship can turn your potential into an inspired career. You can find a mentor on platforms like Designed.org and Dribbble. They connect new designers with experienced pros, for feedback and career insights.

Take the first step today. Reach out to a mentor. Join a Slack design community or critique session. Every great designer started somewhere, and your next breakthrough might be one short chat away.

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