Mentoring in the Design Profession

I recently had the pleasure of joining the GradX podcast alongside Karen Fermo and Maya Hendel to discuss one of the most crucial yet often overlooked aspects of building a design career: mentoring. Our conversation, hosted by Jane Connery, explored how mentoring can be a game-changer for emerging designers and why it remains essential throughout your entire career journey.

What Mentoring Really Means

When people think of mentoring, they often picture formal, structured programs with set meetings and clear objectives. But what I've discovered throughout my career is that the most impactful mentoring relationships are often the most organic ones.

For me, mentoring is more fluid and informal compared to coaching. It's built from personal relationships and often emerges naturally from connections you make along the way. My most significant mentor wasn't someone I actively sought out hrough a formal program—she was Kirsten, a creative director who became a recurring figure throughout my career, first in London during my honours year, and later in Shanghai where we worked together for three years.

The Power of Informal Relationships

What made my relationship with Kirsten so valuable was how it evolved from a professional dynamic into something more holistic. We weren't just talking about work—we were discussing life as women in the industry, relationship challenges, and advancement across all facets of life. This 360-degree approach to mentoring, where someone can help guide you through both professional and personal growth, creates a foundation of trust that formal programs sometimes struggle to achieve.

The beauty of these organic relationships is that they don't feel forced or transactional. They're built on genuine connection and mutual respect, which makes the advice and guidance feel more authentic and actionable.

Women Supporting Women: Beyond Cheerleading

During our podcast discussion, we touched on an important issue: research shows that men often view mentoring roles as opening career doors for their mentees, while women are more likely to see themselves as cheerleaders. This distinction matters because we need to actively work to extend our networks and open doors for each other, not just offer encouragement.

One project that crystallized this for me was during my time at Swinburne, when I interviewed seven women who were mothers and owned their own creative businesses. What started as a university project became an informal mentoring network that has supported me throughout my career. These women didn't just cheer me on—they showed me different pathways to success and helped me understand that there's no single way to build a creative career.

The Non-Linear Nature of Design Careers

One of the most valuable insights mentoring provides is understanding that career paths aren't linear. The design industry is full of what I like to call "multi-hump camel stories"—careers that zig and zag through different roles, cities, and opportunities. Each jump in someone's career has probably been sparked by something they've seen or someone they've heard from.

This is where mentoring becomes invaluable. When you're facing a career transition—whether it's moving from junior to mid-level, or mid to senior—having someone who's navigated that path before can provide crucial guidance. They can help you understand not just the technical skills you need, but also how to position yourself, what conversations to have, and when to take calculated risks.

Finding Your Mentors

The question I'm often asked is: "How do I find a mentor?" The answer isn't as complicated as people think. In today's digital age, social media has made creative professionals more accessible than ever. Look at who you're naturally gravitating toward—whether it's a studio or an individual designer—and pay attention to those whose work consistently resonates with you.

I've never heard of anyone in the industry saying "no, go away" when a student reaches out with genuine interest and enthusiasm. The key is approaching the conversation with curiosity rather than asking for something specific. Don't lead with "Will you be my mentor?"—instead, ask for a coffee chat or a brief conversation about their work.

Mentoring as a Two-Way Street

Now that I'm moving into more of a mentoring role myself, I'm discovering that the learning goes both ways. When students reach out to me, I feel honored that they see value in my experience, but I also learn from their fresh perspectives and current challenges. They keep me connected to what's happening in design education and remind me to stay humble about my own journey.

This reciprocal nature of mentoring is something that often gets overlooked. Mentors gain as much from these relationships as mentees do—they get to share their knowledge, stay connected to emerging trends, and often find renewed passion for their own work through helping others navigate theirs.

The Timing Question

People often wonder when the "right" time is to seek out a mentor. The truth is, there isn't one perfect moment. Mentoring can be valuable at any stage of your career—whether you're transitioning between roles, feeling stuck, or simply wanting to expand your perspective.

What matters more than timing is your willingness to engage authentically and to be intentional about what you're seeking. Before reaching out to potential mentors, spend time reflecting on what you want to learn or achieve. Are you looking to develop specific technical skills? Build client relationships? Navigate work-life balance? Having clarity about your goals makes the relationship more valuable for both parties.

Building Your Support Network

One thing I want to emphasize is that mentoring doesn't have to be a formal, ongoing commitment. Some of my most valuable mentor relationships have been built through friendship and maintained through occasional coffee conversations or email exchanges. The key is building genuine relationships and staying in contact over time.

Don't underestimate the power of your existing network either. Sometimes the best mentoring comes from peers who are just a step or two ahead of you, or even from lecturers and professors who've watched your growth from the beginning.

Looking Forward

As the design industry continues to evolve, mentoring becomes even more critical. The challenges we face as designers—from rapid technological change to shifting client expectations—require the kind of wisdom that can only come from shared experience.

For emerging designers, I encourage you to be bold in reaching out to people whose work you admire. The worst they can say is no, but more often than not, you'll find people willing to share their knowledge and support your growth.

And for those of us further along in our careers, we have a responsibility to pass on what we've learned. The industry that supported our growth needs us to support the next generation in return.

Final Thoughts

Mentoring isn't just about career advancement—it's about building a community of creatives who support each other's growth and success. Whether you're seeking guidance or ready to offer it, these relationships enrich our professional lives and strengthen the design community as a whole.

The most important thing to remember is that mentoring doesn't have to be perfect or formal to be effective. Sometimes the most valuable advice comes from a casual conversation with someone who's walked a similar path. Stay open to these opportunities, be generous with your knowledge, and remember that we're all figuring it out as we go.