Design Buddy

'Design Buddy' is a unique mentoring scheme for design students throughout the South West, created by South West Design Forum, with the support of Universities South West and National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship.

During 2011, WEDF piloted this scheme with Bath School of Art and Design. It has been a rip roaring success!

18 students received one to one mentoring from senior designers, creative directors and agency owners from Bath and Bristol. As a result, all the students experienced real studio life, were able to receive specific feedback about their work, gained a deeper understanding of what's really needed in the industry, made new contacts and grew in confidence.

"The experience has been amazing - it's really opened my eyes to the industry and how I can develop my work and networks" Kate, Design Graduate 2011, Bath Spa

"What really worked for us was having three students work with three of our designers, so it became part of their own professional development to expand their coaching skills and to refine how they talk about their work" Alexandra Shallish, Design Director, Studio Six.

So what's involved?

4 x one hour sessions

All you have to do to become a Design Buddy is to commit to four, one hour sessions with a design student over the course of the academic year. It's fun, you develop your coaching skills and you get a real sense of giving something back, as well as seeing what's happening on design courses.

For more information, drop us an email and we'll get in touch.