A structured framework for UX and design mentorship — built from 22 years of leading enterprise teams at AT&T, DirecTV, and Guide Studio Creative. Bilingual EN/KR.
"Good mentorship doesn't give people answers — it builds the confidence and clarity for them to find their own."
Understanding who the mentee is, what they need, and where they want to go. Weeks 1–4.
Structured skill development through real projects, feedback, and increasing visibility. Months 2–4.
Transitioning from guided work to self-directed design leadership. Months 5–8.
Closing the mentorship cycle intentionally and setting up long-term self-directed growth. Month 9–12.
15–30 min sync: what was worked on, what felt hard, one question to explore together. No agenda required — conversational and honest.
"Glow / Grow / Question" format. Specific, actionable feedback. Mentee documents and responds the following week.
Revisit goals. Score progress honestly (1–5). Adjust priorities. Celebrate small wins explicitly — they matter more than we think.
Reframe a completed project into a portfolio-ready case study — research question, methodology, and contribution clearly articulated.
Zoom out: where do you want to be in 3 years? What roles, skills, and relationships need to be built now?
Mentee rates themselves across 10 design competencies. Mentor rates independently. Compare gaps with curiosity, not judgment.
Executes assigned work with growing independence. Needs guidance on process and prioritization.
Drives projects end-to-end. Brings design thinking cross-functionally. Begins mentoring peers.
Shapes design culture, defines systems, and advocates for users at the organizational level.
Connects design to business strategy, research, and AI. Builds durable frameworks that outlast any project.
Building toward VP or Head of Design in a large enterprise or tech organization.
Specializing in human-AI interaction, design research, and ethical AI systems.
Building a consultancy, freelance practice, or design studio.
Transitioning into teaching, curriculum design, or program direction.