Mentoring Future UX Designers
Overview
405
Mentor sessions
25
UX Students
4
Courses
800+
Hours
Why Mentor?
I was drawn to mentoring students at Designlab out of a deep-seated passion for nurturing the next generation of UX designers. Having traversed my own journey in the field, I recognized the invaluable impact mentorship can have in shaping budding talents. Designlab's commitment to providing accessible and practical education aligned seamlessly with my belief in democratizing knowledge and fostering inclusive learning environments.
Beyond the fulfillment of imparting skills and insights, I yearned to contribute to a community where creativity flourishes, and where individuals from diverse backgrounds can find support and guidance in pursuing their aspirations. Mentoring at Designlab provided me with a platform to not only share my expertise but also to learn from the unique perspectives and challenges of aspiring designers, fostering a reciprocal environment of growth and collaboration.
Ultimately, my decision to mentor at Designlab was driven by a desire to empower and inspire others to embark on their own transformative journeys in the dynamic world of UX design.
What Students Are Saying
Aduago Iwuala
UX Academy
Jun 2024
Moira is a fantastic mentor! Her encouragement, constructive critique and supplemental resources helped me take my ideas and designs to the next level, ultimately landing me my dream product design job. I can't recommend her enough!
Ben Hirsch
UX Academy
Jun 2023
Moira was an incredibly helpful and knowledgeable mentor throughout my time during the DesignLab UX bootcamp, providing guidance for all of my portfolio projects. Her mentorship played a huge part in helping me land my first freelance role as a UX Designer.
Empathy
Throughout my experience as a mentor, I've learned that empathy is not only crucial in the design process but also in teaching. Understanding each student's background, learning style, and challenges allowed me to tailor my mentorship approach to better meet their needs. By empathizing with my mentees, I was able to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment where they felt valued and understood.
Constructive Feedback
Providing constructive feedback is essential in helping students grow and improve their design skills. I learned that delivering feedback in a clear, respectful, and actionable manner is key to fostering student development. Moreover, I realized the importance of encouraging students to seek feedback from their peers and incorporate it into their work, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Every student has a unique learning journey, and as a mentor, I had to be flexible and adaptable in my approach. Whether it was adjusting the pace of instruction, revising lesson plans based on student feedback, or incorporating new tools and methodologies, I learned to embrace change and be responsive to the evolving needs of my mentees. This flexibility allowed me to better support students in their learning and help them overcome challenges more effectively.
Continuous Learning
Mentoring students also served as an opportunity for my own learning and growth as a UX designer. Engaging with students from diverse backgrounds and skill levels exposed me to new perspectives, ideas, and approaches to design. Additionally, preparing for mentorship sessions required me to deepen my understanding of UX principles and best practices, reinforcing my knowledge and skills in the process. By fostering a culture of lifelong learning, I was able to enhance both my own professional development and that of my mentees.
Applying Mentorship Lessons to Drive UX Excellence at Work
The skills I've developed through mentoring at Designlab directly enhance my work in several key ways:
Empathy: By understanding and supporting students, I've sharpened my ability to connect with diverse users and stakeholders. This helps me design solutions that truly address their needs and challenges.
Constructive Feedback: Providing and receiving feedback has improved my collaboration with cross-functional teams and other designers. It fosters a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring that all team members grow and contribute to better outcomes.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Mentoring students with various learning styles has taught me to adjust my approach as needed. This skill translates to navigating shifting project requirements and seamlessly integrating new methodologies in my work.
Continuous Learning: My commitment to ongoing growth keeps me updated on the latest UX practices, allowing me to bring fresh, innovative ideas to enhance the business ecommerce experience I am currently working on.
This blend of skills ensures that I not only stay adaptable but also continually evolve as a designer, improving user experiences and driving business impact.
What I’ve Built for Students
UI Inspiration Library
A collection of design patterns to explain concepts and inspire.
View UI Library
© 2024 Moira Cosgrove