Formation: The Design Mentorship Collaborative
Listen | Learn | Lead

Formation: The Design Mentorship Collaborative is a collective of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students and professionals that envision a more diverse and inclusive design field.

Based in the Portland Metro area in Oregon, we support soon-to-be graduates transitioning from college into design professions. We connect students with a multi-disciplinary community of peers and professionals through our paid mentorship program.

We provide a collaborative space for mentors and mentees that amplifies BIPOC perspectives, encourages skill building, and inspires leadership.

Behind the Formation program

The Architecture Foundation of Oregon (AFO), COMMA, and Diversity in Design (DiD) began discussing the role of mentorship in design after connecting at the 2022 Society for Experiential Graphic Design (SEGD) Conference.

Since then, AFO, COMMA, and DiD have partnered together to develop Formation to address the gaps in mentorship and professional development opportunities tailored to BIPOC students.

Become a Formation Sponsor

We need your help to create a more diverse and inclusive design field! By supporting Formation, you are:

Investing in your industry's future by creating a stronger and more diverse workforce
Advancing your staff recruitment and retention by networking with top diverse talent and engaging with your local design community
Reinforcing your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of your mission statement or corporate social responsibility target
Increasing your company and brand awareness
Receiving level-specific benefits including event tickets, logo placement (on banners, marketing materials, website, etc.), presentation opportunities, and more

With your contribution, we are able to provide stipends to our Mentors and Mentees that they can use to meet for coffee or attend local events together. Sponsorships also support each year's kick-off event, year-end event, and all of the behind-the-scenes planning that goes into making a successful program.

Please use the links below to pledge or make a donation!

Questions? formationmentorship@gmail.com

Online Donation Form

Pledge/Commitment Form

Become a Formation Mentor

We have heard from members in the design community that they would have benefited from having an advocate early on in their careers; someone to inspire, guide, and understand how it feels to navigate the professional world as a person of color.

As a part of Formation, Mentors will have the opportunity to support and advocate for the next generation of BIPOC design professionals. They will learn from their Mentees, build industry connections, and shape our design community.

BIPOC design professionals with any design background are encouraged to apply to including graphic, interior, product, architecture, apparel, experiential, or any form of design that shapes our environment or physical experience.

To learn more about our mentorship opportunities and to apply to be a mentor, click here: Formation Mentors

Questions? Check out our Mentor FAQs for more information about the program.

Become a Formation Mentee

Formation aims to support soon-to-be college graduates as they enter their chosen design professions. As a part of Formation, Mentees have access to a network of trusted design professionals and peers who understand the unique experience of entering the industry as a person of color. Mentees work with their Mentors to build relationships and learn what to expect in their design industry.

Mentees and Mentors collaborate to create their own mentorship experience based on the Mentee's goals. Participants have the option of focusing on searching for jobs, developing interview skills, advocating for yourself, networking, and more.

BIPOC juniors, seniors, or students planning to enter the design profession in one to two years are encouraged to apply. Students must be currently enrolled in a design profession including graphic, interior, product, architecture, apparel, experiential, or any form of design that shapes our environment or physical experience.

To learn more about our mentorship opportunities and to apply to be a Mentee, click here: Formation Mentees

Questions? Check out our Mentee FAQs for more information about the program.