From designers to illustrators, art directors to strategists, we have the perfect mentor waiting to meet you.
Keep scrolling to read more about our legendary mentors, who’ve volunteered their time to nurture the next wave of creative talent 👏
Meet the mentors
Meet the mentors
Hannah Gillingham
Freelance Illustrator
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Hannah Gillingham is a commercial illustrator and artist from Berkshire in the UK.
Hannah works across a variety of mediums and industries, combining her skills with traditional hand-drawn techniques and digital illustration, resulting in her signature painterly style.
In recent years, she has worked with some of the world's largest brands such as Apple, Disney, Lucasfilm, Marvel and more. Hannah has also participated in several exhibitions across the UK and US.
Kat Mellor
Freelance 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 lasting social impact.
Agency experience includes Pearlfisher, Saffron, and MultiAdaptor. Alongside client work, I've been a line manager, DEI committee leader, industry mentor and occasional event speaker.
Qais Sarhan
Freelance Animation Director & Illustrator
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I’m an award-winning animation director and illustrator creating bold, dreamlike work rich in texture and emotion. With 14+ years of experience, I’ve collaborated with brands like Netflix, Google, BBC, Microsoft and Sony Music to craft visually distinct, emotionally resonant motion pieces.
Shahina Ahmed
Design Director, Revolt
Co-Founder, Actual Friends
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Born in Chennai, based in London, Shahina is a multidisciplinary designer and art director passionate about creating brands and communications with a playful sense of purpose.
She is currently Design Director at Revolt and Cofounder of the design collective, Actual Friends where she brings a global perspective shaped by working across the UK, US, Middle East, and India.
Her approach to branding, typography, and illustration has been applied to some of the world’s biggest brands and some of life’s most meaningful moments.
Abs Malton
Creative
Drummond Central
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I’m Abs, an award-winning Art Director / Graphic Designer that just so happens to illustrate.
After 10 houses, 1 skydive, 2 scars from elephants, 0 record deals and 7692 sausage rolls, I now live in Newcastle and work at Drummond Central.
During this time, I've made a real impact for brands like Greggs, Jack Daniel’s, Dreams, NUFC, and Fentimans.
I’m also an environmental advocate, culture coordinator and mental health first-aider with a passion for DE&I.
Surprisingly, I’ve done all this with a Hull accent.
Raya Alkhayal
Agent & Producer
The Jacky Winter Group
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With an admiration for the creative field and a dedication to nurturing talent, UK-based Agent & Producer Raya brings a background in artist management and illustration representation, with a personable and warm-natured approach.
She believes in creating a supportive environment for artists to flourish creatively and professionally, understanding not only the needs of her clients and talent, but adapting to the evolving dynamics of the industry to bring in new business.
Yufei Yang
Freelance Illustrator
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Hey! I'm Yufei Yang, an illustrator, currently based in Liverpool.
I've always loved making things. Growing up in Shanghai, if I wasn't cooking, or making jewellery, or fashioning clothing out of paper, then I was drawing. That's where the passion began. Since then, I have studied and worked in the UK, travelled across Europe and Asia, collecting experiences that all feed into the illustrations I produce today.
Becky Lysaght
Senior Designer
Taxi Studio
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I'm a branding and packaging designer with 7 years of experience, working across a broad range of consumer and corporate clients. I started working in London agencies before moving to Bristol to work at Taxi Studio a year ago. I've had the joy of collaborating with clients including Girlguiding, Barclays, Which?, Airtime rewards and The Body Shop — creating thoughtful, distinctive identities that connect with real people through big ideas and crafted designs.
I’m passionate about supporting the next generation of talent and ensuring the industry feels like a supportive and welcoming environment, as I believe the best creative work comes from a diverse and happy team.
Calla King
Senior Brand Designer
Monzo Bank
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I’m a Senior Brand Designer with a background rooted in self-taught graphic design and a love for shaping brands that connect. Over the years, I’ve worked across a range of design and marketing roles, growing from hands-on creative work to shaping thoughtful, cohesive brand experiences. I now collaborate across product and marketing teams, helping craft impactful design that connects.
I’m passionate about mentoring emerging designers, sharing the lessons I’ve learned from navigating the industry without a traditional path and supporting others in building the confidence and craft needed to grow their own creative careers.
Jennifer Jamieson
Freelance Children's Book Illustrator
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I have 15 years of experience working as a freelance and in-house senior designer. I transitioned into children’s illustration during the 2020 pandemic, whilst drawing portraits of people in their lockdown lives as a way of staying connected to the world.
I love creating quirky characters and bringing their wonderful personalities to life. I believe every message is best delivered with a pinch of humour, and my characters are never afraid to show their emotions! I’m particularly interested in creating characters that break the mould and laugh in the face of societal stereotypes and out-dated expectations.
I have a passion for inclusiveness and am a strong advocate for representation in children’s books. I love the idea that we can change the world by the books we create. By giving all children the opportunity to discover the world through books, we will help to create a much more accepting and open-minded society.
Mirjami Qin
Creative Director
Zealot UK
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I'm a creative director in the realms of film and TV, still very hands-on designing key art for clients such as Netflix, Studio Canal and independent filmmakers.
I started out in strategy, moved into advertising, sneaked into broadcasting and had the pleasure of working at BBC Creative for some happy years. Eventually got thrown into the world of designing film posters and have gladly stayed in this niche area ever since.
Billy Budgen
Senior 3D Illustrator
HarperCollins
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Hello, I'm Billy. For the last four years, I've been an illustrator at HarperCollins, where I've worked on dozens of lisenced childrens books.
I mainly specialise in digital 3D illustration (e.g Minecraft and other gaming brands) and also have experience in animation. Working in-house, I can provide insights into the childrens book comissioning process.
Lucia McGuinness
Freelance Strategy Director
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Lucia McGuinness is a strategic consultant who specialises in helping brands navigate uncertainty through systemic thinking and creative courage.
She transforms complexity into competitive advantage for founders, brand leaders, and design agencies working in climate tech, energy and finance.
Ray Chong
Experiential Designer
FIELD.IO
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Ray Chong is a designer and creative at FIELD.IO — one of the world’s pioneering studios defining the era of creative technology.
He designs and conceptualises experiences for some of the most forward-thinking technology and luxury brands.
With roots in both graphic design as well as digital and physical computing, he has a knack for developing experiences in dialogue with innovation, cultural research, and scalable systems. His collaborations have paired him with IBM, Instagram, Chanel, and Chopard — with projects lighting up Times Square, Chanel’s House of Innovation in New York, Dubai Watch Week 2025, and SXSW in Austin, Texas.
Tabitha Stead
Midweight Designer
Sunhouse Creative
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I’m Tabs, a Midweight Designer at Sunhouse Creative with over seven years of experience in the creative industry. My journey’s been far from linear. I’ve taken risks, changed paths, and faced redundancies — but each step has helped me grow into a more confident and resilient creative. Now I’m passionate about using those experiences to inspire and support others on their own career journeys through mentorship.
Deanna Bains
Senior Designer & Illustrator
Iris Worldwide
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I'm a Senior Designer & Illustrator currently working with Iris Worldwide. With over 8 years of industry experience, I've had the privilege to work with brands such as Starbucks, Samsung, Adidas, BRITA and more.
I have a love for storytelling and craft, and you'll usually find that as the driving force behind my work. With an additional passion for all things curious and playful, I try to approach all my projects with those two drivers at the forefront.
Julia Darze
Partner & Design Director
Fiasco
Morwenna Morgan
Digital Designer
Otherway
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I’m a digital designer, currently located in South London, working for Otherway. I really love the intersection between brand and user, and find digital design is the perfect place to explore this.
Being an ideas person, I value strong strategic ideas and justifications for designs. Having been in the industry since 2021, I have experience working in future-tech, charity and food innovation sectors.
Liv Ross
Freelance Motion Designer & Animator
Lou Kiss
Freelance Illustrator
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I started out as a mentee myself, and years later had the opportunity to mentor with The Arena. Today, in my free time, I continue to mentor both independently and through collaborations with other programs, helping emerging illustrators step into the industry, improve their portfolios, and find their voice.
With over 5 years of professional experience, I have learned a lot, also made mistakes, and gained insights into the industry that I know would be valuable for someone who is just starting out
Rosie Phillpot
Freelance Animator & Illustrator
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I’m an animator and illustrator with a love for bringing characters (and ideas) to life. I started my career at 18 as an apprentice at a local design agency, and more than a decade later, I’ve had the chance to work on a wide range of projects, from animations for the Paris Olympics and YouTube events to illustrations for major sports organisations.
I specialise in character animation, but honestly, if it moves and has personality, I’m in. When I’m not animating, you’ll find me out on a dog walk, playing or watching tennis, or lost in a true crime podcast.
Tom French
Designer
Pearlfisher
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I’m a passionate, ideas-driven designer with over four years industry experience at Pearlfisher. During this time, I have sharpened my skills in packaging and identity design, keeping the strategic side of brand and the ‘big idea’ at the forefront.
Outside of the studio, I’m on a mission to tick off East London’s best restaurants and pubs, one plate and pint at a time.