I have been mentoring designers for the past two years. It started as a side project, a way of giving back to the community that gave me so much through YouTube tutorials, blog posts, and countless online resources. What I did not expect was how much I would get out of it myself. Mentoring has taught me that every designer’s path is unique. What worked for me might not work for them. Sharing my journey helps me give mentees a broader perspective, and in return they introduce me to new tools, plugins, and trends I might have missed. Some of those are a challenge to learn, but that is the beauty of it. Mentoring keeps my mind agile and pushes me to grow.
Why Teaching Makes You Better
I am a self-taught designer. Web design, product design, branding - I learned it all by doing, failing, and repeating. And here is one truth I have discovered: practice is the only way to get better. Mentoring has amplified that. When you teach someone how to design a layout or use a tool like Figma or Elementor, you cannot just repeat a theory. You have to dig deeper. You have to break concepts down into simple, clear steps that anyone can follow. I like using analogies because they stick. Complex terminology does not help much if it only confuses people. What really matters is making sure the person in front of you understands. When I see their eyes light up, that moment when something finally clicks, it feels priceless.
Remembering Where I Started
Mentoring also reminds me of my own beginnings. My first logo. My first vector. My first website. They were far from perfect, but they marked the start of a journey. Nobody begins as a pro. Fifteen years later, I still do not consider myself finished. Design is a field that constantly evolves. New technologies and now AI are reshaping the way we work, tools we could not even imagine just five years ago. That can feel overwhelming, but I see it as an opportunity. I have always been an early adopter, and even if the pace is fast it pushes me to stay curious and adaptable.
Why Mentoring Matters
Mentoring is not only about helping someone else grow. It is also about realizing how far you have come, and how much more there is to learn. It challenges me, humbles me, and reminds me that this craft is a never-ending learning experience.
That is what makes it worth every late night and every extra effort.