We’re so excited to share that UX Tree has been shortlisted for the Design Research and Education Award at the Institute of Designers Ireland (IDI) Awards — for the second year running!

This is a big deal for us because it recognises the work we do to help designers move from learning in the classroom to actually working in the industry. Many emerging designers struggle with that jump — they don’t always get access to mentors, real projects, or career guidance. UX Tree was created to fix that.

Learning by Doing

At UX Tree, we believe the best way to learn is by doing. Our mentees work on real projects from real companies, dealing with real business problems.

Every mentee gets paired with a mentor whose experience matches their goals. Mentors guide them, give feedback, and support them as they learn. Mentees also get to work with peers in group critiques and teamwork sessions. By the end of the program, they present their work to the company — and many have even landed internships or jobs as a result.

Making Learning Accessible

We want everyone to be able to learn, so our program is designed to be easy to follow and flexible:

• Open to people of all backgrounds and experience levels

• One-on-one mentorship that fits individual learning styles

• Clear steps to follow from brief → research → ideas → design → feedback → delivery

• Content in text, video, and audio formats

• Feedback and review loops that make it safe to experiment

• Fully online so people can join from anywhere

This helps make UX Tree welcoming and useful for everyone, no matter their situation.

Real Projects, Real Connections

Working on live projects means mentees gain real industry experience. Companies benefit too, getting fresh ideas and perspectives. Along the way, mentees build skills, confidence, and networks — meeting mentors, peers, and companies who can help guide their careers.

Shaping the Future of UX

UX Tree isn’t just about learning design. It’s about helping people grow into professionals who can contribute from day one. Being shortlisted for the IDI Award is a huge encouragement that we’re doing something right — helping new designers take that first step, gain experience, and find their place in the UX community in Ireland and Europe.

We’re proud of our mentees, mentors, and everyone involved — and we’re excited to keep building this program and supporting the next generation of designers.