The ADPList: Mentorship for UX designers

As a UX designer, I’ve had the privilege of benefiting from both sides of mentorship, thanks to ADPList:

• As a design mentee, I’ve had the privilege of benefiting from the experiences of professional designers, which helped me learn more quickly
• As a design mentor, I share my knowledge with other designers, which helps me refine my skills and become a better designer

And yes, there are many mentorship programs out there that connect mentees and mentors, but the one I recommend is ADPList. My recommendation comes from that personal experience, especially the opportunity to learn from people outside my immediate network.

In this article, I will highlight the importance of mentorship in UX design and ADPList’s role in connecting mentees with mentors. Stick through!

Editor’s note: This article was updated in October 2026 to reflect ADPList’s broader mentorship categories, clarify mentor and mentee participation and free versus paid sessions, and replace the LinkedIn mentorship comparison with current alternatives. Screenshots retained from the original article may differ from the current interface.

What is the ADPList?

The ADPList is a democratized mentorship platform for designers, product managers, and people in tech, where people seek career and professional guidance. Its current categories include design, product, engineering, marketing, data, leadership, career development, and AI. For a UX designer, that creates opportunities to learn from adjacent disciplines as well as experienced design practitioners.

It was co-founded in 2020 by Felix Lee and James Lim during the COVID-19 pandemic to bridge the gap between newbies or less experienced designers and the tech profession. It provides guidance and networking opportunities to help the mentees grow their confidence, expand their professional networks, and advance in their careers.

The main mission of ADPList is to create a democratized mentorship platform for everyone. The co-founders designed a platform that provides a welcoming environment and support system for designers, product managers, and developers. The goal is to help them connect, grow together, and strive to improve.

Key features of ADPList

In this section, I’ll break down the standout features that make ADPList the ultimate mentor-meets-mentee playground:

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• Mentor matching: Mentees can browse and filter through a wide variety of mentors, selecting those whose experience aligns with their career goals
• Session booking: Scheduling mentorship sessions is straightforward, with an integrated calendar system that shows mentor availability. Mentees can book 1:1 sessions or even join group sessions hosted by mentors
• Feedback mechanisms: ADPList encourages both mentors and mentees to provide feedback after every session. This can help future participants assess the fit, but reviews do not guarantee a consistent experience.
• Accessibility and inclusivity: Free sessions lower the cost barrier to getting advice. However, some mentors also offer paid sessions, so check the price and format on the booking page. Availability, language, and time zones still affect access

Why is mentorship important in UX design, after all?

Mentorship creates space for feedback that is specific to your situation. A portfolio review, a discussion of stakeholder conflict, or an interview practice session can help you identify what to try next. The value depends on the relevance of the advice and what you do with it, rather than simply having a mentor.

Most people think mentorship favors the mentee more, but I’m going to say that isn’t true. Both parties, the mentor and mentee, are positively impacted:

Benefits of mentorship in UX design to mentees:

• Breaking into the field: The non-linear path of UX design can be a big challenge for aspiring designers. An experienced designer, in this case, a mentor, can help guide aspiring designers (mentees) in identifying suitable career tracks, helping them build their portfolios, polishing their resumes, and offering feedback and support to ease their entry into the field
• Career progression: As aspiring designers progress in their UX careers, mentorship fosters continuous growth. Experienced mentors guide mentees in developing their skills, exploring new design tools, and even helping them grow their network by connecting them with other industry professionals
• Skill development: In this phase, achieving mastery in UX design requires dedication and expert guidance. And this is gained if the mentee forms a good long relationship with the mentor. Learning and grinding until the design techniques become part of the mentee, making them skilled professionals in their field

Benefits of mentorship in UX design to mentors:

• Leadership development: Being a mentor on ADPList will help sharpen the leadership skills you never knew you had. While guiding mentees, reflect on your own experiences. The “mentor” role lets you contribute back to the design community and makes you a thought leader in the field
• Mutual learning: While sharing your knowledge with design mentees, you also see things from your mentees’ perspectives and understand them. As you engage with them, your eyes open to different challenges, helping you understand the industry
• Networking opportunities: Mentoring helps you grow your professional connections. Building relationships with your mentees can lead to future encounters. Collaborating with these emerging talents can lead to new opportunities and strengthen your connections within the design community

How does the ADPList work?

In this section, I’ll show how to sign up and get started with ADPList so you can benefit from mentorship as a designer.

Mentoring and receiving guidance are not mutually exclusive professional roles. ADPList’s homepage features a member who describes participating as both a mentor and mentee. Becoming a mentor is a separate application and review process; being experienced in one area does not mean you have to stop seeking advice in another. Check the current onboarding and account options rather than assuming you must permanently choose only one role.

Who should sign up as a design mentee?

1. Aspiring designers: If you’re just starting in UX design, mentorship will help you gain insights, avoid common mistakes, and receive guidance on how to build a strong portfolio
2. Career changers: If you’re transitioning from a different career into UX design, a mentor can help bridge the knowledge gap and offer advice on how to apply your previous skills to this new field
3. Junior designers: For designers with some experience but still early in their careers, mentorship helps refine their design thinking, improve their workflow, and grow their confidence.
4. Self-taught designers: If you’ve learned design on your own through online courses or practice, a mentor can help validate your skills and offer feedback that might not be available in a structured learning environment
5. Experienced designers: Even seasoned designers can sign up as mentees to learn new techniques, stay updated with industry trends, and gain fresh perspectives from other professionals in the field. Mentorship at this stage can help refine leadership skills or offer guidance on transitioning into specialized roles, such as management or strategy

Who should sign up as a design mentor?

1. Experienced UX designers: With years of experience under your belt, you’ve seen the industry evolve. Mentoring allows you to pass on valuable lessons and help shape the next generation of designers
2. Design leads or managers: If you’re already leading a team of designers, mentoring gives you the opportunity to extend your leadership impact, helping others grow while honing your own coaching skills
3. Former mentees: Having been a mentee yourself, you understand the value of guidance. Now, it’s your turn to give back and help someone else navigate their UX design journey
4. Design advocates: They mentor by teaching how to communicate design’s value, influence stakeholders, and advocate for user-centered solutions, helping mentees become design champions in their organizations
5. Startup founders with a design background: Founders bring a unique perspective, combining design with business insight. You can help mentees understand how design impacts product development, strategy, and growth

A success story

Many people attribute their design success and growth to the mentorship they got at ADPList. Cami and Bhu, for example, both reached out to each other on the platform and ever since then, they’ve grown a good mentor and mentee relationship.

They explain how ADPList has shaped their career by bringing them both together:

ADPList vs. other mentorship platforms: A comparison

For UX designers, the useful comparison is how a platform supports your goal, budget, and preferred relationship. ADPList is not limited to design, and a paid plan does not automatically offer better or worse guidance. Here is a comparison based on the platforms’ own descriptions, checked in October 2026:

Sources: ADPList’s platform guide, MentorCruise’s payment and trial policy, and GrowthMentor’s membership page. Availability, inclusions, and prices can change. A recognizable employer or high rating is a starting signal, not a guarantee of a good mentoring relationship.

Pros and cons of the ADPList

Pros

• Free sessions are available, reducing the cost barrier for mentees
• Global mentor pool, offering diverse perspectives and expertise
• Easy-to-use interface with quick session booking
• Post-session feedback can help you evaluate a mentor’s approach and fit

Cons:

• As the platform grows, mentor availability may become a challenge due to high demand
• A mentor’s experience does not automatically make their advice relevant to your goals; evaluate the fit and the quality of the conversation
• A free introductory session does not guarantee ongoing access to the same mentor; agree on expectations and check availability for follow-ups

Closing thoughts

If you’re a UX designer in the early stages of your career, get a mentor. If you’re a more experienced designer, consider mentoring someone else.

All of this might sound straightforward and obvious, but many designers still miss out on the opportunity.

As someone who has been in both shoes of mentorship, I can tell you for a fact that being both a mentee and a mentor has significantly shaped the designer I am today and continue to be. You can also benefit from it with ADPList.

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