Think back to a moment in your life when someone truly made a difference. Who was that person that helped you see the world through a different lens? Perhaps they went the extra mile, guiding you step by step with professionalism and grace, showing you how to reach your goals and become the best version of yourself.
Now, imagine being that person for someone else or finding your own person to truly make a difference to elevate your professional journey.
We invite you to apply to be a Mentee or Mentor in our AIGA Boston’s V.0 Mentorship Program 2026. This is an incredible opportunity!
V.0 (which stands for Version Zero) welcomes creative professionals from diverse disciplines; graphic design, illustration, product, UI/UX, strategy/research, copywriting, motion graphics, time-based media, animation, and multidisciplinary practitioners. We are committed to providing mentorship to design students, emerging designers, and seasoned professionals. For the fourth year in a row, we are partnering up with a close by chapter, AIGA Maine! If you are applying from Maine, you’ll be prioritized for a partner in your area.
Mentees: Creatives at any stage of their career and students in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of an undergraduate program study, or any year of graduate school may apply.
Mentors: Active professionals–employed or retired–in the field of graphic design, communications, advertising, illustration, visual arts, product design, user interface or user experience with 5+ years of relevant experience.
The program involves a three (3) month, one-on-one virtual mentoring engagement, pairing of creatives to share insights and experiences with new, fun guided curriculum, if you choose to use it. The program begins with an in-person kick-off event on Thursday, September 30th at Suffolk University, Boston from 6:00pm – 8:00pm, and ends in December with a close-out event. It’s a great way to genuinely make new connections, exchange ideas, build your skills, and share inspirations. We ask that you commit to being fully engaged in the mentoring relationship for the duration of the three (3) month program.
The sign-ups are open now!
We invite you to apply! Mentee and Mentor sign-ups are open until Wednesday, September 23, 2026 @ 11:59pm EST.
*Apply to be a mentor → Here. *Apply to be a mentee → Here.
*Please only apply to be either a mentor or a mentee. If you apply for both we will automatically place you in the mentee group.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the program?
September through December, 2026. This program involves mentors and mentees meeting a minimum of once a month, one-on-one. You can be virtual or in-person.
When is the kick-off event?
The in-person kick-off event on Thursday, September 30th at Suffolk University, Boston from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Can I apply if I don’t live in Boston?
Yes. We will pair you with someone closest to you with the most common interests.
What qualifies me as a Mentee?
Mentees: Designers at any stage of their career and students in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of an undergraduate program study, or any year of graduate school may apply.
What qualifies me as a Mentor?
Mentors: Active professionals–employed or retired–in the field of graphic design, communications, advertising, illustration, visual arts, product design, user interface or user experience with 5+ years of relevant experience.
What is this program not for?
Learning design from scratch. This program does not replace formal education.
How do I apply?
To apply to V.0, mentors and mentees must fill out an application and choose their interests within the program. Your application is used to find the best match. Matching will depend on the number of participants and their interests. Once you have been matched, you will be notified and meet your V.0 program partner during the virtual kick-off event, or be notified shortly after.
*Apply to be a mentor → Here. *Apply to be a mentee → Here.
What is my commitment?
Each mentoring relationship is unique: you set your individual goals with your partner, drawing on the experience of the mentor and the aspirations and interests of the mentee. Generally, our mentoring partners strive to meet virtually once or twice a month and keep in regular contact by email.
AIGA Boston provides ongoing support to you during the program and hosts mentorship-only events where you can meet up with other mentors and mentees in the program. We also invite you to attend virtual AIGA Boston events, workshops, and virtual coffee breaks during the program.
What is the cost to participate?
Your time! The program is free for AIGA members and non-members alike. We encourage all participants to support the program by joining AIGA. Your membership costs go directly to putting on programs like this for our entire design community.
Does everyone get in?
We can’t guarantee everyone who signs up will be placed in the program due to high demand, and applications are accepted on a first come first serve basis. If you are accepted, you are invited to our program kick off event on Thursday, September 30th at Suffolk University, Boston from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Once accepted, more details to come.
This program is first come first serve with a maximum capacity of 50 pairs (100 people total). We will notify you if we do not have capacity for this year, so please apply now if you want to be part of this program.
Do you have more questions about the V.0 program?
For questions and learning more, please contact out V.0 Mentorship program leads: Maria Galante | maria@boston.aiga.org, Education Chair, Mentorship Program Co-Lead Becky Fong | becky@boston.aiga.org, Mentorship Program Co-Lead
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