Mentoring for designers who want to go further, faster
I've spent over a decade working at the sharp end of service design - leading teams, managing designers, and helping people develop their practice at one of the UK's most respected public sector design agencies. Mentoring is something I've always done alongside the work itself, and it's one of the parts of this job I find most rewarding.
I work with designers at different stages - people just starting out in the profession, mid-level designers ready to step up, people thinking about moving into public sector work, and people considering going independent or building something of their own.
What makes this different from generic mentoring is context. I understand the world you're working in - the organisational dynamics, the career pressures, the gap between what you were trained to do and what the job actually asks of you. I've navigated all of it, including the decision to stop working for other people and do things on my own terms.
Who this is for
Junior designers wanting to develop their practice and get more from their early career.
Mid-level designers ready for more senior roles and needing a sounding board with real experience.
Anyone thinking about moving into public sector design for the first time.
Anyone considering going freelance or independent and wanting to talk to someone who has done it.
How it works
We start with a conversation about where you are and where you want to get to. From there we agree a loose structure - usually monthly or fortnightly sessions - with space for it to go where it needs to go. Some people want accountability and a plan, others want a thinking partner. Both are fine.
Joe is an incredibly smart, passionate and highly dedicated designer and leader. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Joe in multiple projects and be mentored by him.
Perhaps the the most admirable attribute Joe brings to his work is his calmness and kindness, ensuring everyone feels heard and integrating thoughts, opinions and motivations seamlessly across the team.
As a manager and team leader, Joe has helped me think and plan my career goals and develop a thoughtful plan to help me achieve them. It would be hard to recommend anyone more thank Joe - he was an absolute pleasure to work with and be mentored by. Any organisation would be lucky to have him. I hope to cross paths with Joe in the future! - Mariana Pena Monteiro