For many emerging designers, having a mentor is more than just professional guidance—it’s a lifeline. Whether it’s answering questions, offering feedback, or modeling leadership, strong mentorship can define a designer’s path, instilling confidence and sharpening skills.
Below, nine individuals from the 2025 New Design Professionals class share how mentors have played a vital role in their growth, the lessons they’ve learned, and the kind of mentorship they hope to receive—and offer—as they continue to evolve in their careers.
“Strong mentorship has been a crucial part of my growth as a designer. My mentor’s insights have shaped my skills, while their encouragement has given me the confidence to push boundaries and explore new ideas. It’s rare to find someone who genuinely invests in your journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for their guidance in helping me become the designer I am today.” —Alex Tyer, Sims Patrick Studio
“As a new designer, mentorship has cultivated my growth. I am incredibly grateful to have a senior designer who not only answers my laundry list of questions, but also takes the time to explain and guide me through the day-to-day challenges of life as a designer. I am a more confident and knowledgeable designer because of the mentorship I have received throughout the beginning of my career. —Ayesha Sanders, Avenir Creative
“Mentorship has played a significant role in my professional growth, and I am appreciative for the invaluable guidance. As designers, we often rely on our eye for aesthetics and visual sensibility when it comes to the creative aspects of our work. However, a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s operations, processes, and technical tools is cultivated through mentorship and hands-on experience. As I continue to grow in my career, I would be grateful to welcome further mentorship to guide me through new challenges, expand my perspective, and refine my skills. I believe mentorship involves a mutually supportive relationship that creates a foundation for teamwork.” —Claire Cover, Baskervill
“Mentorship has been incredibly important to me. Having someone guide you through the process while offering encouragement has played a crucial role in shaping the designer I am today—and will continue to shape me moving forward. I always say that one is never too experienced to benefit from a mentor. We should embrace the opportunity to learn from one another, no matter where we are in our careers.” —Marlee Frances Young, BLUR Workshop
“The guidance and collaboration I’ve received here have been instrumental in boosting my confidence and expanding my capabilities, both as a designer and as an individual. Collaboration is not just a process—it’s a philosophy that turns good designs into exceptional ones. I am thankful for the mentors who have shared their expertise with me, and I look forward to continuing to learn from others.” —Abby Sturtecky, Design Poole Inc
“Having gracious mentors that share their learned experiences with me allows me to learn things that I may not have encountered in my career yet. I appreciate this wealth of knowledge and resources that are available to me, as they foster feelings of support and preparedness when looking towards future goals. Mentorship can present itself in many ways, and I appreciate mentorship that builds a meaningful relationship in tandem with day-to-day work and skill building.” —Eleanor Baker, Gensler
“Meyer Davis’ formal mentorship program has been a great opportunity to have dedicated time to meet with my mentor. In addition to the formal program, I’m also grateful to the designers I work with daily, who have shared invaluable knowledge and experience [with me]. I appreciate the relationships I’ve built over the past couple of years.” —Anna Mariotti, Meyer Davis
“Being able to see things from another perspective and be taken under the wing of someone with so much experience has been so helpful for me. Mentorship to me is taking the time to explain the reasons why, letting you make mistakes and learn from it, and being a guide in this industry. Everyday is different so having someone that can help you navigate that is priceless.” —Mattie Huband, Studio Partnership
“Mentorship has been invaluable in shaping my growth and confidence as a designer. An ideal mentorship for me would involve open dialogue, hands-on learning, and exposure to real-world projects.” —Jamae Mercado, Cadiz Collaboration
The 2025 New Design Professionals class is made up of 34 individuals with three to five years of industry experience, who were nominated by exhibitors to attend HD Expo + Conference for the first time in May.
