How do I ask for a raise?
How do I negotiate my job offer?
What will take my portfolio to the next level?
How do I choose between multiple offers?
How can I get promoted?
How can I work better with my PM?
How can I improve my visual design skills?
How can I give back to the design community?
Can you give me feedback on this project?
How should I spend my L&D budget?
Should I go to design school?
How can I get better at influence?
How can I build trust on my team?
How can I keep growing?
How can I break into design?
Will you help me get better at interviewing?
How can I inspire my team more effectively?
One of my reports isn't succeeding...how can I help them?
I'm feeling burnout
How do I tackle imposter syndrome?
Design and tech is hard 😐
As designers especially, we're asked to be good at everything, especially if you're the first designer in a startup
Whether you’re just getting started in design or have been doing it for decades, everyone runs into challenges that could use an outside perspective.
I really love helping with that
I've done hundreds of one-on-one and group sessions working with people of different disciplines, experience levels, and backgrounds reflect on their goals and get to the next level in their work.
and I learn a lot through doing these too, like how to be a better manager and teammate
🤩
How can I sign up?
simple
Schedule your first meeting, and we'll go from there. This first session is always free.
and if you’re a student, underrepresented in design/tech, or if cost would be a obstacle, it's free after that, too
For others, we may discuss an ongoing rate that lets us both invest in the relationship over time. We’ll discuss these details in our first conversation.
(many people are reimbursed through an company L&D budget—happy to talk through that, too)
Here's what people say next:
Vivian Tsang
James is one of the best people I’ve ever talked to.
I remember feeling absolutely terrified for my first design interview. In one session, he was able to alleviate so much of my interview anxiety and concerns about the design recruitment process. I appreciate that he not only gave me practical and actionable ways to improve my portfolio, but also took the time to understand me as a person.
I’ve spoken to James countless times now and the wealth of information and perspectives about design and life that he’s been able to offer each time is incredible. He’s helped me improve my design process, grow more confident in myself, and better understand different career levels. I ended up getting an internship offer for my first product design interview and also one of my top companies after that!
Thank you so much James!
Himanshu, VP of UXD at Centime
Great conversation with James. He has a wealth of insights and pointers to give on design, career, and life. Great person to talk to and he can be your sounding board and mentor.
He is very thoughtful in the way he articulates and explains his point of view—starting at a high level and then breaking into small parts so that it is easy to consume. I learned this technique from him. James, you probably don't know this yourself, but it's your unique asset.
Thanks for your time James
Lauretta Geraldo
AMAZING... and nobody should describe their experience any less than this. Definitely a mentor for Fridays. Great critique, he really knows how to throw the punches without them being offensive. So, you get honest feedback. He is attentive and tries to walk through all your work. I don't know how he manages to go that in such short time.
Would definitely recommend James
Anita Chauhan
James provided great feedback on my resume and portfolio. I finally found a mentor who provides clear, honest and actionable advise that makes sense. He also provided some useful resources and had a helpful attitude. I would highly recommend him.
Erica Tsou
My mentoring session with James was great.
He provided honest, concise, and direct feedback, and encouraged me to think more deeply about my design decisions, design biases, and showing my process. Although I had booked a 45 min session, James took the time to share his advice for nearly double the time.
It was a really insightful session and I will definitely reach out again in the future!
