Who Wants to be Part of a Designer Mentoring Program?

Image from AllMoviePhoto

That is right friends, I like to introduce to you a new activity on Design Sojourn and that is our very own Designer Mentoring Program.
But before I go on, you might be wondering why I’m doing this? Let me share the reason with you.

I often get a lot of email requests and questions for design advice. However, as I’m often very busy I don’t get a chance to respond properly or even not at all. Not only that, I wonder if my advice really works, as I often don’t get the full story or context of the problem.

Worst still, when I do take the effort to give hearty advice, I don’t even get an email reply of thanks! Who are these people? (Boo-hiss!) Because of all these point, I now want a much higher level of interaction and engagement with the people I’m helping. Hence my thoughts of running a Designer Mentoring Program here at Design Sojourn.

Now, back to the program details.

This program is targeted to designers of all levels looking to better themselves and the quality of their design work. They will get a chance to interact closely with me and I will get a good opportunity to give them advice that is specifically targeted to their strengths and weaknesses.

To celebrate the launch of Design Sojourn’s Designer Mentoring Program, we are going to start this exclusive program with an initial intake of 5 people!

How Do You Get In?

Well there are a few things you will have to do to be considered. First off you need to be an Industrial Designer. Well I did think about opening this to Graphic or Interaction Designers, but I’m no expert in these fields and I believe I would provide no additional value add. (Apologies to all my Graphic/Web Designer friends. But if you are still keen I may make an exception, just let me know?)

Next, as my objective is for greater engagement and successful helping, I would need to be familiar with you. I would have to either met you personally or via the web. The very least is you must have some kind of “relationship” with me (being hot helps? Kidding!). This basically means:

1. You subscribe to Design Sojourn by RSS feed or by email.
2. You visit Design Sojourn frequently AND leave engaging comments.
3. You follow and engage me via Twitter.

 

That’s Not All!

For me to get to know you better you should also do the following:

1. If you have a blog, great! Write a post on this Designer Mentoring Program and why you would like to be part of it. Link back to me and I’ll come visit to get to know your thoughts and writings better.
2. If you are on Twitter, Re-Tweet it this post and pass the word around to show me the people you know and allow me to learn about you by who you are following. Oh, if you can do Digg or Stumble this site too?
3. Have a professional network, either on Linkedin, or professional portfolio sites like Core77 or Behance.net. Add me if you are on any. Again this is so that I can learn a lot more about you.
4. Finally leave me a comment below stating your interest to be considered, and perhaps leave some links to your online presence as indicated in point 1-3.

In fact why not do all 4 points? This is about being Internet savvy. Though not the deciding factor, I do require basic Internet skills, as this Mentoring Program will run online. I don’t want to have to waste time explaining what a blog is right?

What You Can Expect?

On a more serious note, if you are considered to be part of this Mentoring Program this is what you can expect:

1. A Portfolio Critique and Tune-up, by me and another prominent or experienced designer.
2. A complete skills assessment, review and improvement program.
3. Progressive Career Management and Advice.
4. Membership to a private and exclusive discussion forum where we can have in depth discussions about things not fit for public consumption! You will find answers to all your questions on design that you were afraid to ask!

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So that’s about it folks, and it is looking like I’ve bit off more than I can chew! I’m still fleshing out the details of the program and all I can say at this moment is that the program will leverage on the body of work I have shared in the this blog’s 4 year history. Do note that the selection process will close at the end of this month. May 31, 2009 at 11.59pm. I look forward to reading your comments, tweets, blog post and links!

Now, so who really wants to be a Design Sojourn Padawan Learner?

Edit 1: Just to clarify, having an online network or presence is good, but not a key factor in my decision making process. The important thing is engagement, passion, and dedication to the program. I like to know that my effort put in, is reflected back with similar effort by the designer!

Edit 2: With 1 week to go before we close up our first intake of the 5 lucky designers for the Designer Mentoring Program, I thought to compile a list of designers who have expressed interest to be considered. So in no particular order:

1) Fecsx
2) Ingo Rauth
3) Raph Goldsworthy
4) Waikit Chung
5) Eugene Cheong
6) Louise Cochrane
7) Danny Chhang
8) Jason Cooper
9) Mendel Heit
10) Paavani
11) Jonning
12) Tiffany Wan
13) Arjan Schoof
14) Brian Moy
15) David Emmett
16) Raghuraj Ananthoj
17) Jason Phillips
18) Calvin Botha
19) Stephen Donald
20) Michael Greedrick
21) Munwar Khan
22) Robert Bell

Do drop me a message if I have accidentally missed out anyone?

Edit 3:
The intake of the first ever Designer Mentoring Program is now officially closed. I have been spending the weekend learning about the Designers who have expressed interest in this program. Believe you me it has not been an easy task doing the selection!
I will be posting the names of the lucky 5 designers on this blog soon. Do stay tuned!