How to find a mentor/mentor for a web designer?

Question

Design

Good afternoon! I am a web designer with 1.5 years experience. I managed to work a little remotely in a web studio and in a startup team. Build up a small portfolio. Now I'm freelancing. Recently, I realized that I stopped in development, the level of work stopped growing. I've watched tutorials, videos, read books on design, but it doesn't really help. I need an experienced person who could point out my mistakes and give practical advice on how to improve my level. Actually the question is - where to look for such a person or team? Maybe someone knows who would not mind becoming a mentor? For his part, he is ready to perform tasks as an intern, with all the consequences, and to be a diligent student.
Thanks in advance for your replies!

Answer 1

It is difficult to unequivocally answer this question, first I would like to look at your portfolio in order to understand - is everything as bad as you say, or is this another "impostor syndrome"?
There are certain things in design that you can do to improve your level all the time:
1. Don't forget that in UX design, most of the basic stuff is in books, and it's a good idea to read regularly and set aside some time for it. You need to read not only on web design, you need to read books on psychology, on color theory, typography, design in general - this broadens your horizons very well and helps to change your thinking.
2. Behance.net is your very first site you visit when you open your computer. I would recommend setting aside 40 minutes a day to look at top and non-top works, to compare them, give them oral criticism, try to think about the logic (why it is done this way and not otherwise) - this is all that will formulate a culture in you web design, you will understand how to do it beautifully, and over time you will do better and better. Plus, looking at other works, templates of different types of functionality will be deposited in your head, and you will be able to solve one problem in several ways.
3. Practice should be constant, if there is free time from orders - use it for your work, because only your projects will help you create your own style. The customer will always be dissatisfied with various design details, and each time you move the button the way the customer wants, and logic does not allow it - it will spoil your design, spoil your whole idea of ​​​​design. Therefore, I think that it is very useful to do your own projects - take any TK on the Internet, open any site and re-design it, put it in your portfolio - this will significantly increase your level.
4. Well, don't forget that design is everywhere, not only in web interfaces, so it's very useful to be interested in all nearby areas, look at trends, see how people do it - this will build a holistic understanding of how to make it beautiful.
Well, if you need advice - you can write to me, my contacts are listed in the profile.

Answer 2

Quantity develops into quality
Repeat other people's work pixel by pixel, gain new knowledge and skills.

Answer 3

Some designers do this. Look, I will not give links, so as not to make advertising.
Perhaps some firms are looking for interns with conditions that suit you and them. At the moment I can’t name anyone with confidence, but I definitely saw it last year.

Answer 4

I don't know how live the site is, but you can try it here https://mentorforces.com/

Answer 5

Just pay money for his experience. And learn to ask the right questions.