UX/UI Design

I came from a QA background with no design experience at all. My university degree was in education, and before Mento I had never actually designed anything on my own. I spent over a year thinking about making the switch to UX/UI because I kept watching the designers I worked with and knowing that's what I wanted to do, but I wasn't sure I could actually succeed at it. I even started the Google UX Certificate before Mento, but without a mentor to answer my questions and give me feedback on my work, I felt lost and never finished what I set out to build.What finally made me enroll was a one-on-one call with Radu that felt like talking to a friend, not a sales pitch. I knew I'd have real support. And I needed it, because I joined while working full-time and finding out I will be welcoming a baby in the world. The program is structured in a way that keeps you moving forward with smaller tasks and constant progress, so even with everything going on, I was able to stay on track. My mentor never just told me what to do. Instead, they asked me questions that helped me think through problems on my own, which gave me these "aha moments" that actually stuck with me. I even made a friend through the Slack community, a graduate from Croatia who is now working in the industry, and we're still in touch.After finishing the program, I feel confident that I can lead a design project from beginning to end. I have the UX process, UI skills, and Figma experience I need to start working. When I look back, six or seven months is really nothing compared to the skills you walk away with. Skills that nobody can take from you. If you're thinking about it but you're scared or unsure, I was exactly the same. I'm so glad I pushed myself to start, because everything after that just fell into place.

This was a fantastic experience; I went into the program knowing absolutely nothing about UX design, and I have walked away with my first completed prototype.Mento provides you with one-on-one weekly mentorship sessions. It also connects you with other students starting at the same time as you, including pairing you with a "bootcamp buddy" to have an accountability partner and someone to compare notes with over the course of the curriculum. The community is very helpful and offers both advice and external resources to further improve your skills.The curriculum at Mento took me through the step-by-step process of UX design, from identifying a problem through usability testing a prototype. I learned in-depth how to research potential problems, interview users, and turn qualitative data into quantitative data. I learned ideation to meet the needs of user personas and solve the issues apparent in user stories. And I took all of this and created a prototype and performed usability testing.I highly recommend Mento Design Academy as a jumping off point for getting into UX design.

I chose Mento over other digital UX design programs because it offers weekly mentorship with experienced professionals. What I loved most was being thoughtfully matched with a mentor who had things in common with me (we’re both mothers), which made the guidance feel even more relevant and supportive. Their practical tips helped me stay focused on my goals—and I landed a job just three weeks after finishing the program.

I did a lot of research before deciding on Mento Design Academy. Affordability, curriculum structure, and quality mentorship were the main selling points for me. The strong support from the greater Mento community was a welcome surprise. I have been inspired, and continue to have great conversations with connections I have made through Mento. If you looking for a program with excellent mentorship and accessible curriculum with an emphasis on the why, join Mento!

Mento Design Academy was a valuable experience, that I'm glad I did. I started the program in July 2024 and completed it in March 2025, with some weeks off in between. Overall, I would recommend Mento for anyone self driven enough to take their learning into their own hands. Here are my thoughts on various aspects of the program. 
Curriculum: The curriculum seems typical of a bootcamp, though this is the only one I’ve done so I can’t be sure. It is in between self study and academic study- just enough accountability with your weekly mentor meetings so you don’t lose motivation, but no rigid timelines or grades for your assignments. The curriculum heavily focuses on replication, learning by doing, and reflection. The hands on practice was useful, as expected, but unexpectedly the reflections came very much in handy when building my portfolio!
Mentors: Your experience will be heavily dependent on who your mentor is and you don’t have much say in the matter. They get assigned to you at the beginning of the program, seemingly based on your availabilities, though there could be another matching criteria I’m unaware of. Your mentor is often the person you’ll be interacting with most, so experiences with the program will vary since mentors will vary. 
Burner Project: One thing I wish I had done differently is complete more than one project, as intended. If I could offer any sort of advice it’s this: don’t bite off more than you can chew with the burner project. I chose to design an app from scratch- which was a lot of work! Understandably. But it ended up taking the rest of my time in the program, so I wasn’t able to do more than one project in the allotted time. If I could have a do-over, I would choose a smaller scope for my burner project- something like designing a single feature (like in the warm up project) rather than an entire app. That way I could still practice the end to end design process, but in a more manageable way. 
Buddy System: I found the buddy system to be one of the best parts of the program, so I’d highly encourage everyone to take part! I got assigned a buddy and also formed another on my own. Both were invaluable! Having a buddy did a couple things for me: I had someone in the same boat to share experiences with- commiserate, celebrate, bounce ideas off of, etc. The self paced curriculum can be pretty isolating so it was a nice reminder that we’re not working in a vacuum. Second, I was able to see others work and share my own. That was useful in getting inspired and honing my own design sensibilities. Some of the best feedback I got was from my buddies! They were willing to get into the nitty gritty with me, which I appreciated. I still keep in touch with both, so I’m grateful Mento brought us together.

Mento Design Academy’s Digital Product Design Bootcamp was an incredible experience. The 1:1 weekly mentorship with highly skilled industry professionals was invaluable–they challenged me to think deeper, improve my work, and grow as a designer while always being supportive.The curriculum is in-depth, with regular assignments and reflections that keep you engaged and actively building your skills. It’s reading-heavy, focusing on real-world UX work rather than step-by-step video tutorials, which helped me create a unique portfolio that truly reflects my design thinking.The community is amazing, with buddy systems, weekly sessions, and fun design challenges that make learning more engaging without pressure. Mento was also incredibly accommodating–when I needed time off due to personal reasons, they paused my studies and supported me throughout, which made a huge difference.Although I’ve only recently graduated, Mento offers six months of career support, including portfolio reviews, CV help, and interview prep with mentors and career coaches, making the transition into the job market much less daunting.Things to ConsiderThis course is self-paced and reading-heavy, so it requires discipline and self-motivation—there aren’t step-by-step video tutorials, but rather a focus on critical thinking and UX processes. If you're looking for an advanced UI-heavy course, you might need to take time to learn beyond the curriculum, but I believe this would be the case across most bootcamps. Mento’s career support is great, but job hunting still takes effort, persistence, and networking, you only get out what you put in!Final ThoughtsIf you’re serious about UX and want top-tier mentorship, a strong curriculum, and a truly supportive learning environment, Mento is 100% worth it. It’s challenging but rewarding, and I came out of it with a solid UX foundation and a portfolio I’m proud of.

I recently completed the bootcamp at Mento Design Academy, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the experience! The curriculum is thoughtfully structured, covering both fundamental and advanced design concepts, which helped me significantly improve my skills.What truly sets this program apart is the quality of the mentors. They are highly experienced professionals who not only share their expertise but also provide personalized feedback and valuable industry insights. Their guidance and support throughout the course were incredibly motivating and inspiring.The hands-on projects allowed me to build a strong portfolio and gain practical experience, which boosted my confidence in pursuing design opportunities.I highly recommend Mento Design Academy to anyone looking to elevate their design skills and learn from truly exceptional mentors!

 Initially I spent a lot of time deciding which bootcamp to choose. I read review after review  and ultimately decided on choosing Mento due to the amount of care and support they seemed to provide for their students during and even after the course. I've never regretted my decision once. Throughout the program I had an amazing mentor and was also able to meet like-minded peers. The course helped me establish a good foundation that I will now use to further my career. I really enjoyed how the course was structured and it was definitely more intensive than I initially thought. I would recommend having a set schedule or time to work on the course because six months will fly by quickly! Mento occasionally also has workshops and events so even though you work on the coursework yourself you're still able to meet other students and see their work as well! After graduating you're able to keep access to the course materials allowing you to reference and go back to it whenever you'd like. Job assistance is also provided. Overall, I really enjoyed my time at Mento and am sure you will too! 

When I joined Mento, it was a leap of faith since it was a new bootcamp however it did not fail me. Considering I already had several UX projects under my belt, I was not new to UX when I joined. My goal was to get effective mentoring from industry experts. Overall it was a fantastic way to meet people. get good mentoring on my path from experts and grow further in my career. Would definitely recommend other people to join if they are looking to start their journey into UX.

I want to address the essential aspects of choosing a product design bootcamp and how Mento Design Academy delivered them.
Mentors.The most decisive factor in my decision to attend the Mento Design Academy was the one-on-one weekly sessions with an assigned mentor.The experience exceeded my expectations by far. The mentors are not randomly assigned but are based on the students' needs, goals, and backgrounds. For me, it was a perfect match from day one. Throughout the program, the mentor addresses all the students' needs and fears and provides guidance and answers.
Price.It is one of the most affordable product design boot camps, which made me wonder about its quality before I applied.The experience? In short, I really doubt any other pricier BootCamp offers anything better. It is worth every penny (and so much more, to be honest).
Curriculum.What I was looking for was:
a clear information structure
good resources
connection between theory and hands-on exercises.

The experience? The curriculum is so thoughtfully structured that it doesn't feel like learning for the sake of learning. All theory is directly supported with external recourses and exercises, which help students better absorb the information and build a deep understanding of the "whys" behind each decision.
Job Assistance.Six months of professional support after graduation seems like 5-star service to me. (I just graduated when writing this review and am looking forward to making good use of this.)Now for the hidden gem of this boot camp: The community. I had never thought a mentor-alumni-student community could be so valuable in a student's growth. What this community offers regarding support, events, and networking (and more) is truly unique. It is up to each student to decide how involved they would like to be. I decided to be active with the Mento community, and it has been one of the best decisions I've ever made.Oh, by the way, there are a lot of surprise perks for students and alumni!Overall a 5/5 experience!!!

Mento Design Academy has provided me with the essential knowledge and skills required for success in my projects. The academy offers a robust curriculum that transitions students from zero to capable designers of complex conceptual projects. Key strengths of Mento include access to seasoned industry expert mentors and the flexibility to explore project direction to personal interests. Additionally, the Mento community is active on Slack— a significant selling point for me— and organizes UI challenges, book clubs, and community engagement sessions. As with many educational experiences, the outcomes at Mento are proportional to the effort invested; fortunately, the academy provides resources to facilitate success in your work.If you're interested in a tight-knit community, weekly mentor meetings, and a solid product design framework...you should definitely consider Mento Design Academy! 

I compared a lot of bootcamps before deciding on Mento. Financials were an important factor in my decision, and Mento's is one of the more affordable bootcamps. Other things I factored into my decision included mentorship, job search, and curriculum (not in any order). I was between Mento and another bootcamp, but after my call with Radu, I knew I did not think any further. Throughout the bootcamp, I appreciated having weekly calls with my mentor because it encouraged me to work through the assignments and readings. It held me accountable, and my mentor was always patient, despite me falling behind often. Nonetheless, the help and encouragement led me to complete assignments and learn about the design process. I believe that every Mento student and graduate is more than a number at Mento, and it shows whenever you need support. They are always there to answer any questions you have, have many resources, and cheer you on from the sidelines, even beyond graduation. I would recommend Mento to anyone interested in starting a career in product design! 

In September 2023, I enrolled in the Mento Design Academy UX/UI bootcamp, and it was one of the best decisions I made that year. The course was well structured. You learned the why behind each step of the design process. I enjoyed the practical assignments in the course. It was the best way to learn by doing. I particularly enjoyed the self-paced nature of the course, combined with weekly calls with your mentor. I appreciate all the feedback I received during these calls. It was also the perfect time to ask any career-related questions from an expert in the UX/UI world. In addition to technical and design-related skills, the bootcamp has boosted my confidence in presenting my work and writing. The program has helped me improve my writing skills and presentation abilities, which will benefit my future career. The course was intense. You have to put in a lot of work by yourself, but it is rewarding. I have already secured my first UX/UI role during the bootcamp. 

I Joined Mento Design Academy to fill some knowledge gaps I had in the UX field but I realized after that Mento Design Academy is much more than a normal Bootcamp. They helped me to grow as a designer not just from a skills point of view but especially from a communication and mindset perspective: how to explain my thinking, share projects, and ask critical questions. Thanks to Mento Design Academy, its team and its Slack community I was able to do a mock interview and much more. All these things helped me to land my first job in Canada as a foreign immigrant 🇮🇹. 

As a career transitioner, I came to Mento with very little UX knowledge. I found the curriculum to be well-written and engaging. Resources are offered at the end of each topic for additional learning opportunities. Mento also does a great job of building community and keeping students connected by offering student meetings, study groups, a slack channel for discussion and questions, and webinars for continued learning. Two things that really stood out to me in this program were the mentors and the ability to pick projects based on your own interests. Many of the mentors are well-known in the UX world and have years of experience to share. My mentor was phenomenal and balanced the curriculum with her real-world knowledge. She guided me through my project, which was based on something I’m passionate about and will be unique to my portfolio. One of the reasons I chose Mento is because of the self-paced learning schedule. However, I did struggle to keep up with the curriculum timeline as did some of my classmates. I would keep this in mind if you don’t have a tech or UX background - you may need more time than you think to finish the course. Other students had no problem finishing in the suggested time frame though. Lastly, Mento’s staff is wonderful. They are responsive, kind, and supportive. The head of the program even met with me when I had an issue, and basically UXed my issue to improve the situation. I saw changes made in real time and I know they will continue to improve the program based on student needs. I'm so pleased that I chose Mento. 

I still remember I was hesitant if I should join a bootcamp or go for a master's degree at first. The fact is, making a career change can be terrifying at some point. However, I’m glad I chose Mento Design Academy because it truly changed my perspective towards design in life. Not only the curriculum can flexibly fit into an individual’s schedule, but it also provides practical material to make us feel real in the assignment. (Sometimes the bootcamp feels way too real that I forget I was in a school.)Another thing I like is, that as the course keeps going, we always have the reflection section to document our process in each chapter. It was quite rewarding since the bootcamp constantly encouraged us to think aloud. To be honest, I’m beyond grateful I got to practice it as well. Instead of only relying on my brain to remember everything, it’s always better to keep it as a journal.The most remarkable lesson I learned in the bootcamp is that I acknowledge the importance of sharing ideas/thoughts in public. I’m not saying it is 100% about the cultural thing, but as an Asian student, sharing my opinion in front of people is a challenging task. (this is just my personal experience) I remember I wasn’t comfortable and confident at the beginning. Nonetheless, I’m getting used to it and this is probably my biggest takeaway which I enjoy a lot.
Although it is just the beginning, I can't wait to see what's next for me on this journey. :)

Selecting a bootcamp can be overwhelming. I almost didn't go with Mento Design Academy. Luckily, I discovered it in the nick of time. To me, the work always speaks for itself and upon comparing portfolios, Mento graduates blew me away! I connected with a few alumni students who generously answered my questions.
Mento offers a unique experience with real-life projects and interviews, invaluable industry feedback from mentors and professionals, and flexible additional sessions if need be. Their curriculum is filled with real-world best practices, and the inclusive international community provides excellent tools and resources.
Mento also stands out by being a tight-knit community - not to mention access to the founder, Radu, who genuinely cares about each student’s success. The community meetings, workshops, coffee chats, and fun challenges are a fantastic bonus. The more you engage, the more you’ll get out of it. Get comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Changing careers is sometimes about playing the long game. It requires commitment, grit and never giving up on yourself and I’m grateful I began with Mento!

Mento Design Academy has a no cookie-cutter, holistic approach to UX design education. From the get-go I was asked to make the learning journey my own - to embrace my previous career and educational background (which wasn't connected to UX) and use that experience to plan out my UX career path. The lessons focused on the bigger picture and we were asked to reflect on the 'why' of each stage of the UX process, rather than simply following a procedure. Coming into the course, I was worried about the little details like how to create visually striking User Interfaces, but the course had thought me the importance of "Understanding the problem, before hurrying to find solutions." Though frustrating initially, because of presumptions I had of what User Experience is about, this mature approach to UX made sense as the course progressed. I leaned into it and focused on skills like user research. For the portfolio projects, I was again asked to find design problems that concerned and interested me, rather than working on a generic prompt like "Designing a ticketing app for a Space tourism company." Throughout the process, what was invaluable was the constant guidance of the mentor assigned to me and the support of an active student/mentors/alumni community. I met once a week with my mentor who was an industry professional. He was always open to questions and gave comprehensive answers. His guidance in each stage went beyond the textbook and I was challenged to think deeper about a problem in each stage. The course content itself is really well put together however, and it followed a logical progression, which clarified most of the questions I had along the way on it's own. Saying all that, considering the vastness of the topic that is UX design, I've realised that the learning doesn't stop after bootcamp. I have to especially get better with my UI skills, which isn't given as much concentration in the curriculum. Everything cannot be done in 6 months or 9 months (I took 9). Thankfully, since I get to be a part of the community for a lifetime, I think I can keep learning and stay up-to-date.

The mentors and instructors at Mento truly care about the success of their students and it is reflected in the top-notch curriculum and on-going support that they provide. Graduating from Mento made me more confident going into my job search, and I still have access to a community of supportive professionals and industry experts. They are extremely flexible and you always have the option of switching mentors if you feel like there could be a better fit for you. 

Mento Design Academy offers an incredibly supportive and welcoming community! My experience with their bi-weekly meetings was very positive, and the weekly mentorship sessions proved incredibly helpful and invaluable in my UX design journey. Through this program, I was able to grasp the fundamental principles of UX design, and my mentor encouraged me to think beyond the usual boundaries. Moreover, I received practical advice and emotional support from my mentor.When I was dealing with frustration and uncertainty, he emphasized that UX design is not about right or wrong answers but about keeping the "Whys" in mind and moving forward. His explanations were consistently clear, and he provided relatable examples whenever I encountered difficulties understanding a concept or process. All mentors at Mento Academy have years of experience in UX design, and I am confident they will ensure a smooth transition for their students.Mento Design Academy offers a self-paced UX program, which allows me to adjust my learning schedule according to my needs. Their commitment to helping students discover their specific interests and guiding them toward the core principles of UX philosophy is commendable.

In my opinion, Mento Design Academy offers a distinctive and personalized approach to UX education that sets it apart from traditional boot camps. I highly recommend Mento to anyone seeking a unique and tailored UX learning experience.