Have Your Say: What Role do Mentors and Collaborators Play in Developing Future Industry Leaders?

At Design Insider we recognise the expertise within our commercial interior community and we are proud to instigate conversations which inform, challenge & inspire the people who make our sector thrive. 

Wesley Meyer, Creative Director of f.r.a. responds to our question: “What role do mentors and collaborators play in developing future industry leaders?”

“The design industry thrives on connection, and the leaders of tomorrow are formed through the relationships they build right now. Mentors and collaborators aren’t just helpful—they’re a requirement. They challenge us, inspire us, and push us to think beyond our own limitations. And right now, we’re living in an age of unprecedented opportunity to connect with them.

Traditionally, mentorship and collaboration have been rooted in formal education, work experience, and industry events. These remain invaluable. A great mentor in the workplace can teach you things no textbook ever could—how to navigate tricky client relationships, how to pitch an idea with confidence (even if it’s not perfect) or how to adapt when something doesn’t go as planned. Conferences and workshops, meanwhile, are perfect for meeting like-minded professionals, sparking collaborations and finding those opportunities that you just wouldn’t have thought of if you didn’t go. These traditional channels are tried and tested, and they’re not going anywhere.

But here’s the exciting part: the digital world has blown the doors wide open. Today, you can connect with industry leaders, peers, and potential collaborators from across the globe with just a few clicks. Social media platforms, online communities, and even virtual events have made it possible to connect with people who were once completely out of reach. You can follow your design heroes, comment on their work, and even strike up conversations that could lead to mentorship or collaboration. It’s never been easier to learn from the best, no matter where you are.

That said, it’s important not to rely solely on online connections. While the digital world is a powerful tool, it’s no substitute for the depth and authenticity of face-to-face interactions. A coffee chat with a mentor or a brainstorming session with a collaborator in the same room can spark ideas and build trust in ways that a Zoom call simply can’t replicate. There’s something irreplaceable about a mentor who knows you personally, understands your specific strengths, and can provide tailored feedback in real-time. The key is to embrace all the opportunities available to you—both online and offline.

Here’s a couple tips I’ve used over the years to keep on top of my mentoring:

  • Recuring Events: I have a handful of people I check in with every couple of months. We have a dedicated recuring event locked into our diaries and do our best to keep it.
  • Walk: Do you really need a screen for that meeting? Print off an agenda, a few key figures and lace up your shoes. The level of engagement and depth of thought really improves when you take a meeting outside.
  • Be Humble: You can miss out on mentorship opportunities by trying to impress someone with the few bits you already now. It’s ok not to know things, that’s why you’re there. I like this Zen proverb, “If you wish to drink the master’s tea, you must first empty your cup.”

Wesley Meyer – Creative Director at f.r.a.

Wesley brings over 20 years of global design experience focusing on the built environment. As Creative Director of Shrewsbury & London-based f.r.a, he leads a multi-award-winning studio that delivers wayfinding, placemaking and branding projects across all sectors in the UK and Europe.  At the heart of every project is a deeply humanistic approach to design that uses emotions, narrative and even humour to overcome complex problems.

Wesley studied fine art photography at the university of New Mexico. He went on to make programmatic art and earned exhibitions at the Sundance Film Festival and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona. Prior to joining f.r.a., Wesley worked at global architecture and design company, Gensler.

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About Alys Bryan

Alys is a knowledgeable design editor who is focused on instigating conversations, both online and in-person, with industry experts which challenge, educate and advance the commercial interior sector. Her training and 15 years of professional experience as a furniture designer for the commercial sector makes her uniquely placed to lead Design Insider as Editor
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