1:1 critique-first model
Why: Students learn faster from feedback on their actual work than from generic curriculum. Theory is everywhere; an experienced eye on your specific portfolio is what's scarce.
A supportive and personalized learning environment
Academy·Mentoring·Studies·Ongoing
Mentoring aspiring designers at Brainster's UX/UI Academy — design critique, portfolio development, and career guidance grounded in real-world product standards.
Overview
Design students plateau when course theory doesn't translate to real-world product standards or hiring expectations.
A supportive and personalized learning environment
Mentor student designers through hands-on feedback, critique their work, and support their professional development within Brainster's UX/UI Academy program.
Challenge
Design students often struggle to connect theory with practice, especially when transitioning from coursework to real-world design thinking. Many learners had strong technical fundamentals but needed guided feedback to refine their work, build confidence, and understand professional expectations. Effective mentorship required balancing constructive criticism with encouragement — without a structured framework, students plateau or lose confidence.
My role: Instructor & Mentor
Instructor & Mentor — 1:1 critique-first model, portfolio review, career guidance calibrated to industry feedback.
Deliverables
Strategy
- Mentorship Strategy
- UX Growth
- Design Feedback
Design
- Design Review
- Portfolio Development
- Career Support
350+Juniors mentored
1:1 + critiqueFormat
Ongoing since 2021Duration
Junior PD rolesOutcome
Impact
350+ juniors mentored across cohorts. Many have moved into junior product design roles since 2021.
Process
How I approached it, step by step.
01
Building trust first
I focused on building trust with each student and encouraging critical thinking. Reviewing design deliverables, conducting feedback sessions, and discussing UX principles 1:1 helped them sharpen skills and understand professional expectations.
02
Discussing the why, not just the what
We discussed UI patterns, usability considerations, flow improvements, and the rationale behind each design decision. Frameworks they could apply independently — not just notes on the current project.
03
Confidence in defending decisions
Regular guidance helped students improve their design output and build the confidence to present and defend their ideas — the difference between a portfolio page and a portfolio interview.
04
Career-ready outcomes
Stronger portfolios, clearer understanding of industry expectations, and a smoother runway into entry-level and junior UX/UI roles.
Decisions
Every design is a set of choices. These were the big ones.
05
Trade-offs I made
The options I weighed, and why I chose what I did.
Design
The shipped screens, and what changed.
06
Screens
A closer look at the final design.
Reflection
Hundreds of students mentored across cohorts. Many have moved into junior product design roles, and the program continues to evolve as the industry's expectations shift. The mentorship process clarified design principles, improved visual consistency, and strengthened the rationale behind each student's work.
07
Looking back
Mentoring sharpens my own design thinking. Having to articulate WHY a decision is right (or wrong) for someone else's work clarifies frameworks I'd otherwise apply on autopilot. It's also kept me honest about how the industry has shifted — junior expectations in 2026 are very different from 2021, and the feedback has to evolve with them. Best 'side project' decision I've made.
“Martin played a key role in raising the quality of our UX/UI programs at Brainster. As an instructor and mentor, he consistently demonstrated deep product thinking, clear communication, and a strong ability to guide students toward real-world design standards. His feedback was always practical, structured, and aligned with industry expectations.”