MENTORING · COURSES · BOOKS · PRACTICAL RESOURCES
UX Mentoring for Designers Ready to Think Bigger
I mentor designers who want to move beyond surface-level UI decisions and start thinking like strategic product designers.
Whether you're transitioning into UX, growing from UI into product design, or looking to strengthen your portfolio and confidence, I help you develop the skills that actually make designers valuable — structured thinking, clear problem framing, and decision-making that connects user needs with business goals.
My mentoring combines real industry experience across UX, UI, product strategy, and Shopify design, giving you practical guidance you can apply immediately to your work, portfolio, and career direction.
This isn't theory — it's applied thinking that helps you design with purpose.
Explore mentoring
→
View courses
→
CURRENT FEATURED COURSE
UX Portfolio & Career Accelerator
6 weeks · live guidance · portfolio reviews
01
Think more clearly
Move beyond surface-level design choices.
02
Show stronger proof
Make your judgement and contribution visible.
03
Present with confidence
Explain your work without relying on jargon.
What is XOUX?
Expanding Opportunities in User Experience
If you're new to UX, the journey can feel overwhelming. But with the right foundation, you can turn confusion into clarity. From understanding core concepts like design thinking and user research to mastering wireframing and prototyping, there’s a lot to learn!One key skill to focus on: Analyzing and applying user data to inform designs. This ensures your designs aren’t just creative, they’re also functional and rooted in real user needs.
MENTORING
Mentoring built around your real work.
Bring a portfolio, live project, career decision or skill gap. Each session focuses on the next useful improvement—not a generic curriculum.
WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER
Choose the level of support you need.
Start with a focused review or build momentum through a structured mentoring programme.
01
Portfolio review
A focused 75-minute review with clear priorities for your strongest next improvement.
Portfolio structure
Case-study clarity
Written action priorities
02
Four-session accelerator
A short programme for positioning, project selection and portfolio storytelling.
Personal goals
Live design feedback
Career positioning
03
Ongoing mentoring
Regular support for designers developing their craft, confidence or leadership.
Recurring reviews
Project guidance
Progress planning
FEATURED COURSE
UX Portfolio &
Career Accelerator
A six-week live programme that helps designers turn experience into convincing case studies, sharpen their positioning and practise presenting their work.
Career direction
Project selection
Case-study storytelling
Visual presentation
CV and LinkedIn alignment
Interview practice
Explore the course
→
COURSES
Practical courses for different stages of your career.
Start with the outcome you need: job readiness, stronger craft, specialist Shopify skills, leadership or a clearer freelance offer.
01
FOUNDATION
Become a Job-Ready UX/UI Designer
UX process, research, wireframing, UI, accessibility and portfolio delivery.
Book Course
02
CAREER
UX Portfolio Accelerator
Case studies, positioning, CV, LinkedIn and interview practice.
Book Course
03
CRAFT
Figma: Brief to Handoff
Auto layout, components, variables, prototypes and developer handoff.
Book Course
04
ADVANCED
Design Systems in Practice
Tokens, components, documentation, governance and scale.
Book Course
05
SPECIALIST
Shopify UX & Conversion
Customer journeys, product pages, mobile UX and conversion audits.
Book Course
06
TECHNICAL
Shopify Theme Development
Liquid, sections, metaobjects, performance and accessible themes.
Book Course
07
FREELANCE
UX Auditing as a Service
Audit methods, scorecards, prioritisation, reports and selling the offer.
Book Course
08
LEADERSHIP
From Designer to Design Lead
Critique, mentoring, standards, stakeholders and design quality.
Book Course
09
MODERN WORKFLOW
AI for UX & Product Designers
Research, critique, rubrics, prototyping and responsible AI use.
Book Course
10
Freelance Designer Business Bootcamp
Positioning, packages, pricing, proposals, discovery calls, scope and finding better clients.
VIEW COURSE →
HOW IT WORKS
Learn by applying, reviewing and improving.
Every course combines clear instruction with practical output you can use in your portfolio, work or career.
01
Choose
Start with a real outcome or skill gap.
02
Learn
Understand the principle without unnecessary theory.
03
Apply
Use a practical exercise on your own work.
04
Review
Get feedback and define the next improvement.
BOOKS AND RESOURCES
Keep learning away from the screen.
Practical books, workbooks and notebooks for designers at different stages of their journey.
YOUR MENTOR
Learn from someone who has designed, built and reviewed the work.
I’m Steve Roberts—a UX/UI and product designer, Shopify developer, mentor and author. Across more than two decades in digital work, I’ve helped designers improve their craft, supported teams and connected design decisions to real product and business needs.
UX/UI AND PRODUCT
SHOPIFY AND DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN SYSTEMS
MENTORING AND EVALUATION
QUESTIONS
Choose the right starting point.
The page can link each answer to a detailed course or mentoring enquiry.
Is mentoring suitable for beginners?
Yes. Sessions are shaped around your current level, goals and the work you can realistically improve.
Can I bring a live project?
Yes. Real work often creates the most useful mentoring conversation, provided you can share it.
Are the courses live or self-paced?
The system supports both. Each course card can clearly state its delivery format when scheduled.
Will you review my portfolio?
Portfolio reviews are available as a focused session and are included in selected programmes.
Do the courses include worksheets?
Yes. Practical exercises, scorecards and review checklists are built into the learning system.
Can teams book training?
Yes. Workshops can be adapted for design teams, agencies and ecommerce organisations.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the support that moves your work forward.
Start with mentoring, join a focused course or explore the books and practical resources.
Confidence in design doesn’t come from tools — it comes from understanding why something works. That’s the skill I help you build.
10+
years working across UX, UI, brand and product design
100+
design challenges solved across ecommerce, apps, and platforms
20+
designers supported through portfolio and career progression
3
core areas covered: UX thinking, UI craft, product strategy
1:1
tailored mentoring focused on your goals, not generic frameworks
100%
Clear actionable guidance every session
Qian Jiang
AI Designer for Copilot at Microsoft
Working with Qian since February 2023
“
Steve is a fantastic lead and designer. I admire his design skills since he can always create brilliant work and have a dedicate eye for details. Steve is also good at mentoring junior designers. I reported directly to Steve in the Design Yard, where he gave me insightful feedback and patiently showed me how to do better work all the time. I would love to have a chance to learn from and work with Steve in the future.
I mentored Qian in 2023 when she was developing her UI design expertise, and her progression since then has been remarkable. Qian is now a Lead Product Designer and AI Designer at Microsoft, contributing to the design of Copilot
I’ve mentored designers across UI, UX, and product disciplines — helping them strengthen their thinking, refine their craft, and progress into more strategic roles.
Get mentored
Let’s work together
START WITH THE PROBLEM
Have a product, store or digital experience that needs clearer thinking?
I help SaaS founders, Shopify brands and agencies diagnose friction, design better journeys and deliver interfaces that can actually be built.
UX · PRODUCT · SHOPIFY · DEVELOPMENT
I solve usability problems before they become business problems — connecting UX, product thinking and build-ready delivery.
Available for selected remote projects
© 2026 Steve Roberts / ME&CO. All rights reserved.
MENU
MENTORING · COURSES · BOOKS · PRACTICAL RESOURCES
UX Mentoring for Designers Ready to Think Bigger
I mentor designers who want to move beyond surface-level UI decisions and start thinking like strategic product designers.
Whether you're transitioning into UX, growing from UI into product design, or looking to strengthen your portfolio and confidence, I help you develop the skills that actually make designers valuable — structured thinking, clear problem framing, and decision-making that connects user needs with business goals.
My mentoring combines real industry experience across UX, UI, product strategy, and Shopify design, giving you practical guidance you can apply immediately to your work, portfolio, and career direction.
This isn't theory — it's applied thinking that helps you design with purpose.
Explore mentoring
→
View courses
→
CURRENT FEATURED COURSE
UX Portfolio & Career Accelerator
6 weeks · live guidance · portfolio reviews
01
Think more clearly
Move beyond surface-level design choices.
02
Show stronger proof
Make your judgement and contribution visible.
03
Present with confidence
Explain your work without relying on jargon.
What is XOUX?
Expanding Opportunities in User Experience
If you're new to UX, the journey can feel overwhelming. But with the right foundation, you can turn confusion into clarity. From understanding core concepts like design thinking and user research to mastering wireframing and prototyping, there’s a lot to learn!One key skill to focus on: Analyzing and applying user data to inform designs. This ensures your designs aren’t just creative, they’re also functional and rooted in real user needs.
MENTORING
Mentoring built around your real work.
Bring a portfolio, live project, career decision or skill gap. Each session focuses on the next useful improvement—not a generic curriculum.
WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER
Choose the level of support you need.
Start with a focused review or build momentum through a structured mentoring programme.
01
Portfolio review
A focused 75-minute review with clear priorities for your strongest next improvement.
Portfolio structure
Case-study clarity
Written action priorities
02
Four-session accelerator
A short programme for positioning, project selection and portfolio storytelling.
Personal goals
Live design feedback
Career positioning
03
Ongoing mentoring
Regular support for designers developing their craft, confidence or leadership.
Recurring reviews
Project guidance
Progress planning
FEATURED COURSE
UX Portfolio &
Career Accelerator
A six-week live programme that helps designers turn experience into convincing case studies, sharpen their positioning and practise presenting their work.
Career direction
Project selection
Case-study storytelling
Visual presentation
CV and LinkedIn alignment
Interview practice
Explore the course
→
COURSES
Practical courses for different stages of your career.
Start with the outcome you need: job readiness, stronger craft, specialist Shopify skills, leadership or a clearer freelance offer.
01
FOUNDATION
Become a Job-Ready UX/UI Designer
UX process, research, wireframing, UI, accessibility and portfolio delivery.
Book Course
02
CAREER
UX Portfolio Accelerator
Case studies, positioning, CV, LinkedIn and interview practice.
Book Course
03
CRAFT
Figma: Brief to Handoff
Auto layout, components, variables, prototypes and developer handoff.
Book Course
04
ADVANCED
Design Systems in Practice
Tokens, components, documentation, governance and scale.
Book Course
05
SPECIALIST
Shopify UX & Conversion
Customer journeys, product pages, mobile UX and conversion audits.
Book Course
06
TECHNICAL
Shopify Theme Development
Liquid, sections, metaobjects, performance and accessible themes.
Book Course
07
FREELANCE
UX Auditing as a Service
Audit methods, scorecards, prioritisation, reports and selling the offer.
Book Course
08
LEADERSHIP
From Designer to Design Lead
Critique, mentoring, standards, stakeholders and design quality.
Book Course
09
MODERN WORKFLOW
AI for UX & Product Designers
Research, critique, rubrics, prototyping and responsible AI use.
Book Course
10
Freelance Designer Business Bootcamp
Positioning, packages, pricing, proposals, discovery calls, scope and finding better clients.
VIEW COURSE →
HOW IT WORKS
Learn by applying, reviewing and improving.
Every course combines clear instruction with practical output you can use in your portfolio, work or career.
01
Choose
Start with a real outcome or skill gap.
02
Learn
Understand the principle without unnecessary theory.
03
Apply
Use a practical exercise on your own work.
04
Review
Get feedback and define the next improvement.
BOOKS AND RESOURCES
Keep learning away from the screen.
Practical books, workbooks and notebooks for designers at different stages of their journey.
YOUR MENTOR
Learn from someone who has designed, built and reviewed the work.
I’m Steve Roberts—a UX/UI and product designer, Shopify developer, mentor and author. Across more than two decades in digital work, I’ve helped designers improve their craft, supported teams and connected design decisions to real product and business needs.
UX/UI AND PRODUCT
SHOPIFY AND DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN SYSTEMS
MENTORING AND EVALUATION
QUESTIONS
Choose the right starting point.
The page can link each answer to a detailed course or mentoring enquiry.
Is mentoring suitable for beginners?
Yes. Sessions are shaped around your current level, goals and the work you can realistically improve.
Can I bring a live project?
Yes. Real work often creates the most useful mentoring conversation, provided you can share it.
Are the courses live or self-paced?
The system supports both. Each course card can clearly state its delivery format when scheduled.
Will you review my portfolio?
Portfolio reviews are available as a focused session and are included in selected programmes.
Do the courses include worksheets?
Yes. Practical exercises, scorecards and review checklists are built into the learning system.
Can teams book training?
Yes. Workshops can be adapted for design teams, agencies and ecommerce organisations.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the support that moves your work forward.
Start with mentoring, join a focused course or explore the books and practical resources.
Confidence in design doesn’t come from tools — it comes from understanding why something works. That’s the skill I help you build.
10+
years working across UX, UI, brand and product design
100+
design challenges solved across ecommerce, apps, and platforms
20+
designers supported through portfolio and career progression
3
core areas covered: UX thinking, UI craft, product strategy
1:1
tailored mentoring focused on your goals, not generic frameworks
100%
Clear actionable guidance every session
Qian Jiang
AI Designer for Copilot at Microsoft
Working with Qian since February 2023
“
Steve is a fantastic lead and designer. I admire his design skills since he can always create brilliant work and have a dedicate eye for details. Steve is also good at mentoring junior designers. I reported directly to Steve in the Design Yard, where he gave me insightful feedback and patiently showed me how to do better work all the time. I would love to have a chance to learn from and work with Steve in the future.
I mentored Qian in 2023 when she was developing her UI design expertise, and her progression since then has been remarkable. Qian is now a Lead Product Designer and AI Designer at Microsoft, contributing to the design of Copilot
I’ve mentored designers across UI, UX, and product disciplines — helping them strengthen their thinking, refine their craft, and progress into more strategic roles.
HOME
MENU
MENTORING · COURSES · BOOKS · PRACTICAL RESOURCES
UX Mentoring for Designers Ready to Think Bigger
I mentor designers who want to move beyond surface-level UI decisions and start thinking like strategic product designers.
Whether you're transitioning into UX, growing from UI into product design, or looking to strengthen your portfolio and confidence, I help you develop the skills that actually make designers valuable — structured thinking, clear problem framing, and decision-making that connects user needs with business goals.
My mentoring combines real industry experience across UX, UI, product strategy, and Shopify design, giving you practical guidance you can apply immediately to your work, portfolio, and career direction.
This isn't theory — it's applied thinking that helps you design with purpose.
Explore mentoring
→
View courses
→
CURRENT FEATURED COURSE
UX Portfolio & Career Accelerator
6 weeks · live guidance · portfolio reviews
01
Think more clearly
Move beyond surface-level design choices.
02
Show stronger proof
Make your judgement and contribution visible.
03
Present with confidence
Explain your work without relying on jargon.
What is XOUX?
Expanding Opportunities in User Experience
If you're new to UX, the journey can feel overwhelming. But with the right foundation, you can turn confusion into clarity. From understanding core concepts like design thinking and user research to mastering wireframing and prototyping, there’s a lot to learn!One key skill to focus on: Analyzing and applying user data to inform designs. This ensures your designs aren’t just creative, they’re also functional and rooted in real user needs.
MENTORING
Mentoring built around your real work.
Bring a portfolio, live project, career decision or skill gap. Each session focuses on the next useful improvement—not a generic curriculum.
WAYS TO WORK TOGETHER
Choose the level of support you need.
Start with a focused review or build momentum through a structured mentoring programme.
01
Portfolio review
A focused 75-minute review with clear priorities for your strongest next improvement.
Portfolio structure
Case-study clarity
Written action priorities
02
Four-session accelerator
A short programme for positioning, project selection and portfolio storytelling.
Personal goals
Live design feedback
Career positioning
03
Ongoing mentoring
Regular support for designers developing their craft, confidence or leadership.
Recurring reviews
Project guidance
Progress planning
FEATURED COURSE
UX Portfolio &
Career Accelerator
A six-week live programme that helps designers turn experience into convincing case studies, sharpen their positioning and practise presenting their work.
Career direction
Project selection
Case-study storytelling
Visual presentation
CV and LinkedIn alignment
Interview practice
Explore the course
→
COURSES
Practical courses for different stages of your career.
Start with the outcome you need: job readiness, stronger craft, specialist Shopify skills, leadership or a clearer freelance offer.
01
FOUNDATION
Become a Job-Ready UX/UI Designer
UX process, research, wireframing, UI, accessibility and portfolio delivery.
Book Course
02
CAREER
UX Portfolio Accelerator
Case studies, positioning, CV, LinkedIn and interview practice.
Book Course
03
CRAFT
Figma: Brief to Handoff
Auto layout, components, variables, prototypes and developer handoff.
Book Course
04
ADVANCED
Design Systems in Practice
Tokens, components, documentation, governance and scale.
Book Course
05
SPECIALIST
Shopify UX & Conversion
Customer journeys, product pages, mobile UX and conversion audits.
Book Course
06
TECHNICAL
Shopify Theme Development
Liquid, sections, metaobjects, performance and accessible themes.
Book Course
07
FREELANCE
UX Auditing as a Service
Audit methods, scorecards, prioritisation, reports and selling the offer.
Book Course
08
LEADERSHIP
From Designer to Design Lead
Critique, mentoring, standards, stakeholders and design quality.
Book Course
09
MODERN WORKFLOW
AI for UX & Product Designers
Research, critique, rubrics, prototyping and responsible AI use.
Book Course
10
Freelance Designer Business Bootcamp
Positioning, packages, pricing, proposals, discovery calls, scope and finding better clients.
VIEW COURSE →
HOW IT WORKS
Learn by applying, reviewing and improving.
Every course combines clear instruction with practical output you can use in your portfolio, work or career.
01
Choose
Start with a real outcome or skill gap.
02
Learn
Understand the principle without unnecessary theory.
03
Apply
Use a practical exercise on your own work.
04
Review
Get feedback and define the next improvement.
BOOKS AND RESOURCES
Keep learning away from the screen.
Practical books, workbooks and notebooks for designers at different stages of their journey.
YOUR MENTOR
Learn from someone who has designed, built and reviewed the work.
I’m Steve Roberts—a UX/UI and product designer, Shopify developer, mentor and author. Across more than two decades in digital work, I’ve helped designers improve their craft, supported teams and connected design decisions to real product and business needs.
UX/UI AND PRODUCT
SHOPIFY AND DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN SYSTEMS
MENTORING AND EVALUATION
Qian Jiang
AI Designer for Copilot at Microsoft
Working with Qian since February 2023
“
Steve is a fantastic lead and designer. I admire his design skills since he can always create brilliant work and have a dedicate eye for details. Steve is also good at mentoring junior designers. I reported directly to Steve in the Design Yard, where he gave me insightful feedback and patiently showed me how to do better work all the time. I would love to have a chance to learn from and work with Steve in the future.
I mentored Qian in 2023 when she was developing her UI design expertise, and her progression since then has been remarkable. Qian is now a Lead Product Designer and AI Designer at Microsoft, contributing to the design of Copilot
I’ve mentored designers across UI, UX, and product disciplines — helping them strengthen their thinking, refine their craft, and progress into more strategic roles.
QUESTIONS
Choose the right starting point.
The page can link each answer to a detailed course or mentoring enquiry.
Is mentoring suitable for beginners?
Yes. Sessions are shaped around your current level, goals and the work you can realistically improve.
Can I bring a live project?
Yes. Real work often creates the most useful mentoring conversation, provided you can share it.
Are the courses live or self-paced?
The system supports both. Each course card can clearly state its delivery format when scheduled.
Will you review my portfolio?
Portfolio reviews are available as a focused session and are included in selected programmes.
Do the courses include worksheets?
Yes. Practical exercises, scorecards and review checklists are built into the learning system.
Can teams book training?
Yes. Workshops can be adapted for design teams, agencies and ecommerce organisations.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose the support that moves your work forward.
Start with mentoring, join a focused course or explore the books and practical resources.
Confidence in design doesn’t come from tools — it comes from understanding why something works. That’s the skill I help you build.
10+
years working across UX, UI, brand and product design
100+
design challenges solved across ecommerce, apps, and platforms
20+
designers supported through portfolio and career progression
3
core areas covered: UX thinking, UI craft, product strategy
1:1
tailored mentoring focused on your goals, not generic frameworks
100%
Clear actionable guidance every session
START WITH THE PROBLEM
Have a product, store or digital experience that needs clearer thinking?
I help SaaS founders, Shopify brands and agencies diagnose friction, design better journeys and deliver interfaces that can actually be built.
UX · PRODUCT · SHOPIFY · DEVELOPMENT
I solve usability problems before they become business problems — connecting UX, product thinking and build-ready delivery.
Available for selected remote projects
© 2026 Steve Roberts / ME&CO. All rights reserved.
ABOUT
UX CONSULTANT
UX RESEARCH
UI & GRAPHICS
SOFTWARE
PORTFOLIO
RESOURCES
BOOKS
BLOG
