Becoming a Mentor at the Design Factory


Becoming a Mentor at the Design Factory

What is the Design Factory?

The Design Factory is a module you can take that teaches you how to structure your design thinking. It lays out a framework—almost like a series of milestones—to help guide your design process and make your thinking clearer, more intentional, and more impactful. It’s not just about making something look good—it’s about solving real problems through a solid structure.

How I Got Involved

I really enjoyed my time in the Design Factory. I found myself looking forward to going every week, and I noticed that most of the mentors were students. That caught my attention. I thought, “Why not try it myself?” So I spoke to Scarlett, the module lead, and she said I could go through the training and become a mentor—and just like that, I got involved.

Why I Wanted to Mentor

I’ve always believed that to really understand something, you need to teach it. Reading about design thinking is one thing, but when you teach it, you’re forced to fully understand, structure, and explain your thoughts clearly. That helps you absorb the concepts on a much deeper level. For me, mentoring is a chance to practice what I preach and grow while helping others grow too.

What We Work On

The current semester's projects haven’t been announced yet, but last semester we worked on AI-based experiences and improving the visitor experience at ARENA2036, which is an innovation platform based in Stuttgart. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we tackle next.

What I’ve Learned So Far

I’ve learned to structure my thinking more effectively and improved a lot in networking and team dynamics. I also completed two trainings—one in mentorship and one in design thinking—which means I’m officially certified in both. It’s helped me understand the value of working in teams and communicating ideas clearly.

How It’s Shaped Me

Being a mentor has definitely made me more organized and focused as a designer. I now approach projects with more clarity and know what steps I need to take.

Looking Ahead

I’m excited to continue developing both my design and creative thinking skills, and I want to keep learning how other people approach problems. One person alone can’t design the perfect solution—we need different minds and perspectives. That’s the beauty of the Design Factory.

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