Why pedagogy is strategic design in disguise
If there’s one role that has consistently shaped me—whether I’m designing a product, leading a workshop, or coaching a fellow creative—it’s being a mentor.
For over 7 years, I was a college professor, guiding students through the intricate dance between theory and practice. Today, as a UX designer and strategic consultant, I still find myself doing the same thing—just with a different stage, and a wider audience.
What I’ve learned is this: mentoring is one of the most powerful tools for growth—both for the person receiving it and the one offering it.
Pedagogy as Strategic Design
Many people think of mentoring as a one-way street: advice flows from the “expert” to the “learner.” But in my world, it’s much more than that. Mentoring is a design challenge. The person I’m mentoring becomes my user, and our time together becomes a co-creative journey.
We start by identifying and defining the real problem. Not just the surface-level “I want to get better at UX” or “I’m thinking of pivoting my career”—but the deeper, often fuzzier questions: What’s holding me back? What’s the future I’m really trying to build? From there, we design.
Together, we sketch a roadmap. We define goals, but also design the path to reach them. We break things down into actionable steps. We talk about outcomes, iterate on ideas, and celebrate small wins.
It’s not unlike a UX project: there’s user research (aka listening deeply), problem framing, ideation, prototyping (trying things out), and continuous feedback. Only this time, the product is the person’s own evolution.
A Two-Way Mirror
Every time I mentor someone, I grow too.
Mentoring forces me to articulate my thinking clearly. It keeps me sharp, reflective, and humble. I’m reminded of things I once struggled with. I see patterns I hadn’t noticed before. And most importantly, I get to witness someone else’s lightbulb moments—which is endlessly energizing.
It’s easy to think of design as screens and flows, or strategy as frameworks and KPIs. But to me, design is always about people. And pedagogy—when done with intention—is one of the most human-centered practices out there. It’s empathy in action. It’s strategy with heart.
Why I Keep Doing It
Whether I’m mentoring a junior designer, guiding a founder through a rebrand, or helping a team align on their next product move, I carry this pedagogical mindset with me. Because at the end of the day, I’m not here just to deliver answers. I’m here to ask better questions. To co-create paths forward. To design with people, not just for them.
That’s the power of mentoring. That’s the power of design.