Empowering Designers Through ADPList
ADPList has revolutionized mentorship by connecting aspiring professionals with seasoned mentors worldwide. It’s a space where knowledge sharing meets empowerment. For me, this platform isn’t just about guiding mentees—it’s about crafting authentic connections that inspire growth, confidence, and career breakthroughs.
With over 60 sessions and a Top Mentor Award, my work on ADPList reflects my passion for using design to inspire and foster inclusion. Each session is an opportunity to give back, leverage my 11 years of experience, and empower the next generation of designers.
A Tailored Approach: Mentorship as a Design Process
Mentorship, like design, thrives on empathy and iteration. Here’s how I shape my sessions:
Understanding the Mentee’s Goals
Each journey starts with discovery: understanding who they are, their aspirations, and the barriers they face. Whether it’s portfolio refinement, storytelling in UX, or interview prep, every session is personalized.
Actionable Feedback for Real Growth
My feedback isn’t just theoretical. Mentees bring real challenges—like portfolio reviews or case study drafts—and we tackle them together. This hands-on approach helps them develop critical skills while boosting their confidence.
Soft Skills and Strategy
Design is more than tools and techniques—it’s about communication and problem-solving. Mock interviews and role-plays help mentees navigate real-world scenarios with clarity and confidence.
Voices That Validate: Reviews from Mentees
The impact of mentorship is best told through the stories of those I’ve worked with.
Raquel Kashiwase (Brazil)
“Mariana is an excellent mentor! Every session I have with her, I always receive constructive feedback and learn a lot. Furthermore, her expertise in this area is very broad, and her attention to details is unmatched.”
Isabella Souza (Brazil)
“Mariana goes to the point! She knows a lot about the area and gives the right comments, helping us get even better.”
Sayekat Chakraborty (Bangladesh)
“She is amazing and a good soul. She gave me very constructive feedback which will help me in my growing career.”
John Ademiluyi (Nigeria)
“Mariana is an exceptional guide. Her advice and support are priceless, and her wealth of knowledge and experience in her field make her an invaluable resource.”
These testimonials are not just affirmations—they’re proof of the transformative power of intentional, focused mentorship.
Raquel’s Journey: From Mentee to UX Professional
Raquel Kashiwase came to me at a pivotal moment in her career: transitioning into UX design from another field. She had already begun working on a personal project but had several pressing questions: “Is the initial part of my project on the right track? Are the problems I’m tackling solvable in simpler ways? Do the questions I’ve drafted for my users make sense and align with the issues I’m addressing?”
Together, we refined her project, focusing on clarity and feasibility. Beyond answering her questions, we delved into user research, problem framing, and storytelling techniques. Over several sessions, we also built her portfolio from scratch, ensuring it highlighted her unique perspective, attention to detail, and empathetic approach to design.
The results were transformative. Within a few months, Raquel secured her first UX designer role, where she has thrived for over a year. Her success is a testament to her dedication, adaptability, and the power of personalized mentorship to unlock potential.
Recognition and Reflection: A Mentor’s Journey
Earning the Top Mentor Award on ADPList was a proud moment, not just because of the recognition but also because of what it represents—a commitment to creating meaningful connections and helping others succeed.
Mentorship taught me that the impact goes both ways. Every session reminds me why I love design: its power to solve problems, connect people, and inspire change. ADPList amplifies this impact, making mentorship accessible to anyone, anywhere.
Mentorship as Leadership
Mentorship isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about empowering others to find theirs. By approaching mentorship with the same care I bring to design, I’ve helped mentees like Raquel build skills, confidence, and careers. It’s a journey rooted in empathy, collaboration, and the belief that we rise by lifting others.
Raquel's journey exemplifies effective mentorship. She demonstrated dedication and applied our lessons, focusing on enhancing public transit information. Her solutions addressed user frustrations with outdated metro and train data. After participating in the program, Raquel's growing confidence led her to secure a UX role, illustrating how mentorship can guide aspiring designers toward success.
Comments