Designers helping designers, 1:1.
By Design Buddies, a community of 100K+ designers.
Step 1 · Which side are you joining?
Pick one above to enter your email. It is free and takes a few seconds.
How Hop works
Say what you're stuck on
In plain language, not keywords.
Get matched, with a reason
Senior designers in your exact niche.
Book a real 1:1
Pick a time, get a calendar invite.
Hop to your next level
Free to start, no spam.
Mentor on your terms
You set your hours, you pick who you help, and you're never on display to strangers. Every member applies and is reviewed by hand, so you only meet serious, vetted designers, with no cold DMs, no spam. Mentor for free, or charge for your time. Your experience could be someone's breakthrough.
~1 hr a month, your hours
You choose who you help
1:1 or small group sessions
Free or paid or both, your choice
Who we're looking for: design professionals who've hired, reviewed portfolios, mentored, or led teams.
Be a founding mentor. The first mentors shape Hop from day one. You get first pick of who you help, a permanent founding badge, and a say in how the community works.
Get unstuck, fast.
Say what you are stuck on, your portfolio, interviews, impostor syndrome, and meet senior designers who have been there.
Maya Chen
Senior Product Designer · Aurora
Diego Ramirez
Design Manager · Northwind
Priya Nair
Staff UX Designer · Lumen
Sam Okoro
Brand & Visual Lead · Drift
Questions, answered
What is Hop?
Hop is a curated design mentorship platform by Design Buddies, a community of 100K+ designers. You describe what you are stuck on in plain language, and the right design mentors surface with a reason why they fit. Sessions are 1:1 or small group, free or paid, and booked directly on Hop.
How much does design mentorship on Hop cost?
Many mentors offer free sessions. Some offer paid deep-dives like portfolio reviews or mock interviews, and each mentor sets their own price. You always see the price before you book.
Who are the mentors on Hop?
Senior product designers, UX designers, UX researchers, and design leaders from the Design Buddies community. Every mentor is hand-reviewed before they appear in the directory, so you only meet vetted, serious designers.
What can a design mentor help me with?
Portfolio reviews, breaking into the design industry, landing your first design job, interview prep and mock interviews, getting promoted, going freelance, switching specialties, negotiating offers, and working through impostor syndrome.
How do I become a design mentor on Hop?
Apply on the Become a mentor page. Mentoring is free or paid or both, your choice: you set the price, Hop keeps a 10% fee on paid sessions, and you control your own schedule. Mentors who join by August 31, 2026 get a permanent Founding mentor badge.
How is Hop different from other mentorship platforms like ADPList?
Hop is curated and small by design. Every mentor and mentee is reviewed by hand, so there are no cold DMs or no-show spam. Instead of scrolling a huge directory, you describe what you are stuck on and Hop matches you to the right mentors with a reason why. Mentors can also charge for their time, so serious help stays sustainable.
Join the waitlist 🐰
Hop is launching soon. Add your email and we will tell you the moment early access opens.
made by Design Buddies · 100K+ designers