Hi, I'm Sean.
UX/UI lead and mentor.
I started out in graphic design and moved into digital and UX/UI in 2010. Today I am a product design consultant at Equal Experts, working with global clients, and I help students and juniors navigate the complexities of the UX world.
Where I've come from
I know what it feels like to start again in a new field, which is why I enjoy helping people do it. As a UX mentor, I review portfolios and CVs for students, juniors and career changers who are applying for their first UX or UI design role.
- UX/UI improvements to the call centre Salesforce software
- Site visits, prototyping, user testing and analytics
- Sandbox R&D and stakeholder workshops
- Mobile app prototyping and research
- Design system, tokens and theming across multiple brands
- iPhone trade-ins discovery and a website footer redesign
- Search bar and results, and live chat and AI enhancements
- Login, registration, checkout and account
- Loyalty programme onboarding and sign-up
How I can help you
The kinds of sessions I offer for job seeking and career progression, from UX portfolio reviews and CV reviews for career changers to ongoing mentoring.
How we'd work together
Simple, and the same whichever option you choose.
Skills
If your team is looking for help with any of these, you're welcome to get in touch.
- User interviews and affinity mapping
- Usability testing, from planning to findings
- Journey maps and user flows
- Competitor analysis and analytics
- UX and UI design
- Figma and prototyping
- Design systems, set up and tidied
- UX and accessibility (WCAG) reviews of websites and apps
- Agile delivery
- Developers and stakeholders
- Explaining the thinking behind design decisions
- Remote work across time zones
- Portfolio and case study reviews
- CVs for career changers
- Interview practice
- Choosing a specialism
What I'm writing about
UX/UI Mentor Musings is a LinkedIn series that starts from a question students ask me and shares what I'd say, to start a conversation rather than to have the last word.
What students say
“These are nuggets of wisdom. I was going crazy wondering if this is how it normally is, with one person having to take all the notes. I'm glad you confirmed that it's a group effort.”
“That's really helpful. I was definitely getting in over my head and overthinking it. Thank you, I really appreciate it.”
“I know we flew through a lot of material, but what you showed me will really help me finish off the prototyping.”
“It's been great to meet you, and thanks for all the information.”
Lightly edited for readability from my mentoring calls. Shared without names.
Good to know
How many projects does a UX portfolio need?
It's less about the number of projects and more about how you present them. Two or three well-explained case studies are enough to start. If you only have one or two, add a smaller one where you tackle a problem you run into regularly, or explore how AI could help with it.
Can you help me move into UX from another career?
Yes. Career changers are often surprised by how much of their past experience counts. We match your CV to the job specs you're applying for and show how your earlier work fits.
Is the mentoring online?
Yes. Calls are by video and written reviews are sent by email, so you can be anywhere in the world.
Do I need a finished portfolio?
No. A rough structure or a single case study is enough to start. It's easier to shape a portfolio early than to fix it at the end.
What should I send before we start?
A link to your portfolio, your CV, the kind of role you're aiming for, and the one thing you'd most like feedback on.
Which time zones do you work in?
I'm in South Africa (UTC+2) and mentor students in Europe, the US, Africa and Asia. Tell me what suits you and I'll find a slot.
Can you promise I'll get a job?
No, and nobody honestly can. What I can do is tell you clearly what I see in your work and what I'd change, based on what I've looked for when hiring and what I've seen across many mentoring calls.
Let's talk
Send me a short note about where you are and what you're working towards, or about the project your team has in mind. I'm in South Africa and work with people across many time zones, so I'll find a time that suits you.