Mento Design Academy

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... Read More 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!

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... Read More 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... Read More 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... Read More in any order). I was between Mento and another bootcamp, but after my call with Radu, I knew I did not need to 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... Read More 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... Read More 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 🇮🇹. 

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... Read More 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 🇮🇹. 

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... Read More 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!

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... Read More 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 is a perfect choice for a person who wants to transition to UX design. They provided much information on the subject that helped me learn all the basic design concepts. Weekly meetings with my mentor also helped me immensely; he was very knowledgeable... Read More with years of work in the design field and could answer all my questions. Moreover, Mento has a Slack channel that includes other valuable resources. Also, you can contact other students; they try to keep it interesting with design challenges and Zoom meetings with people working in the design field and many other things. People at Mento genuinely care about their students.