Join us on Wednesday 16th July in London as we break down barriers to the creative industry and give traditional ‘mentoring’ a fun twist with talented freelancers from The Arena community, in partnership with Oneder.
These independent creatives have volunteered their evening to speak with emerging talent to answer your burning questions, provide some snappy portfolio feedback or just have a general chit-chat.
Event details
Location:
Shoreditch Exchange, London, E2 8JF
Time:
Arrival from 6.30pm, kick-off at 7pm, wrap-up by 9pm
Date:
Wednesday 16th July 2025
So what’s the twist?
All mentees at this event will get the chance to speak to three different freelancers from The Arena community, rotating every 10 minutes, with small breaks in between to regroup.
We have talented, independent creatives covering a wide range of disciplines, including design, illustration, motion, typography and art direction.
You can be emerging at any age, so there’s no age limit on this event. If you have less than two years of industry experience, you can get involved!
You do not need to be pursuing a freelance creative career path to attend this event - those looking for full-time roles and internships are also very much welcome.
Spaces are limited, so don’t hang about. Applications will close on Saturday 28th June at 11pm.
Meet the mentors
Meet the mentors
Alice Roseberry-Haynes
Multidisciplinary Artist
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Alice is a multidisciplinary artist working across illustration, motion, and design. Known for her bold and distinctive style, she has collaborated directly with brands like TFL, New Balance, The Guardian, and Nando's. She has also partnered with agencies to bring her creative vision to projects for Apple, LEGO, Squarespace, Nike, Adidas, and more. Alice has been freelancing for five years, having pursued creative independence after being made redundant from a previous technical role in VFX.
Emma Balebela
Graphic Designer & Illustrator
Gill Sheraton
Senior Designer
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Gill is a freelance designer specialising in pack, brand and brandworld.
Mitch Capurso
Design Director
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I’m Mitch — a London-based freelancer specialising in Design & Direction. I’ve been in the industry for 7 years, working with a range of clients across Australia and the UK. I’ve worked in-house, at agencies, and independently, gaining experience across a variety of industries. My focus is branding, with a strong passion for creating impactful, culturally driven work that resonates.
Steph Ramplin
3D Artist
Yo Hosoyamada
Illustrator
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Yo is a Japanese illustrator currently working and living in London. She graduated from the Bartlett School of Architecture in 2018. After working in the Architecture world at design firm Foster and Partners, she pivoted into Illustration, studying on the MA Illustration course at Camberwell College of Art and graduating in 2021. Since then, she has worked as an illustrator for clients such as YouTube, WIRED, Toyota, The Telegraph, The Times and Monocle Magazine. Influenced by her background in Architecture, she describes her work as emotive, immersive and dynamic. Her illustrations often explore stories and moments from daily life through detailed and expressive compositions. She is currently represented by Handsome Frank in the UK and Vision Track in Japan.
George Percy
Senior Designer
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Seasoned brand and pack designer at the start of my freelance career.
Kat Mellor
Senior Designer
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Hi, I'm Kat, a strategically minded Freelance Senior Designer, passionate about all things branding. I’m analytical, collaborative and love when design solves a problem to create a lasting social impact. I've worked at a number of agencies, including Pearlfisher, Saffron, and MultiAdaptor. Alongside client work, I've been a line manager, DEI committee leader, industry mentor and occasional event speaker. Outside of the studio, I love cooking, hiking and, whenever possible, dancing!
Sneha Shanker
Illustrator & Designer
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Sneha’s dreamy illustrations are home to empowered women, vibrant palettes, and majestic worlds. Rooted in culture and shaped by global influences, she explores, her transcendental experiences and themes of style, health & wellbeing. Her Clients include: VANS, The Huffpost, Twitter, LUSH, BBC, Harper Collins and more
Vini Vieira
Creative Director
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A Creative Director with more than 20 years experience, Vini’s focus lies in making ideas simple and impactful, but equally crafted. Vini has worked with global clients including Mondelēz, Diageo, Heineken and Avon, where he has been instrumental as the creative lead for some of the world’s most iconic brands such as Johnnie Walker, Toblerone, Cruzcampo, Grolsch, Green & Black’s and Kellogg's. Vini's keen eye for detail and craft has seen him become a typography and lettering specialist. His work has been recognised by awards bodies such as Clio, D&AD, Art Directors Club, Pentawards and Dieline.
Caroline Savage
Senior Designer
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Bristol & London based creative with 10 years experience
Eva Hunt
Multidisciplinary Designer
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I'm Eva, a London based multi-disciplinary designer. I create playful, vibrant, and colourful designs that make a difference. My curious nature drives my quest for creativity through a multitude of disciplines. I’m self-taught and specialise in designing for education and social impact.
I love to collaborate with organisations and individuals to create unique and meaningful designs that tell a story. When I’m not working on client projects, I enjoy creating a mixture of digital and physical products for my online store. These range from phone wallpapers and phone cases, art prints, stationary and packing, and jesmonite homeware such as coasters, trinket trays and decorations. I take inspiration from things I find in the fridge, cities I’ve explored on my travels and growing up in the 1990s.
Jamie Portch
Illustrator
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Jamie Portch is an award-winning illustrator, animator, educator, and creative thinker, collaborating with leading companies and agencies worldwide. He specialises in crafting concept-driven illustrations that bring ideas to life with clarity and flair-making complex messages visually compelling.
Shirley Wang
Motion & Graphic Designer
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Shirley is a freelance motion and graphic designer based between London and Hong Kong. With a conceptual approach, she specialises in motion graphics, kinetic typography, graphic design, and art direction. Her work spans leading agencies and brands including Pentagram, McLaren Racing, Sequoia Capital, Koto, and Nothing. She is currently an Associate Art Director at Clinique.
Stephanie Jade Howe
Illustrator, Graphic & Motion Designer
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Stephanie Jade is an Illustrator and Multidisciplinary Designer born and bred in London, UK. Her practice focuses on visual storytelling rooted in connection to humanity and capturing specific moments in time. Stephanie specialises in playful portraiture and lifestyle Illustration inspired by maximalism, vintage posters, and pop culture, emphasising personal exploration and emotional authenticity.
So what are you waiting for?!