Axel McHugh

Design Director & Design Mentor

I'm a London-based Irish designer with over a decade of agency and consulting experience, working across brand identity, visual systems, and creative strategy. Currently working at DROGA5, previously at the likes of Pentagram, Mother Design, KOTO and Youtube Creative Studio. At DROGA5 I lead design work for global clients, most recently a large-scale rebrand for a major European financial institution, developing the full visual language from strategic platform through to campaign execution. My practice sits at the intersection of rigorous craft and conceptual thinking. Over the years I've built identities, visual systems, and brand narratives for clients ranging from early-stage ventures to multinational organisations.

Expertise
10+
Mentor
2025
Sessions
5+
level
Expert
This is how I can mentor you:

As a mentor, I work best with students and designers who are serious about the quality of their output and career trajectory, people who want to close the gap between what they can see and what they can make. Whether you're finding your visual voice, developing your portfolio, or navigating the jump from execution to strategy, I can help you think more clearly and work more deliberately. I'd especially like to work with ethnic minorities and BIPOC audiences.

‍✨ Open-ended Mentoring £75 (£40 reduced for BIPOC) 45 mins

A space to think through whatever's on your plate: career direction, creative confidence, studio vs agency, going freelance, or just feeling stuck. Sessions are unstructured by design. Come with a question, a decision, or nothing specific at all.

👁️ Portfolio Review Mentoring £75 (£40 reduced for BIPOC) 45 mins

A focused session on your portfolio: what's working, what isn't, and how to close the gap between the work you're making and the work you want to be known for. Covers craft, curation, and narrative.

Prepare & Meet

In order to make the most out of your Mentoring session, make sure to collect all your questions and structure them in a logical order. Take notes during the session and follow up of previous outcomes. Once you book your Mentoring session you will set up the meeting in the Mentor's Calendly. Just pick a date & time that suits you, but please make sure to add the meeting to your calendar and set up reminders to not miss it!

Please be mindful of the Mentor's time.
Only book sessions that you can attend 100%.


Refund policy: If you miss your booked Mentorship session or do not attend, we will not be able to reimburse it afterwards.

This is how I can mentor you:

I'm a London-based Irish designer with over a decade of agency and consulting experience, working across brand identity, visual systems, and creative strategy. Currently working at Droga5, previously at the likes of Pentagram, Mother Design, Koto and Youtube Creative Studio. At Droga5 I lead design work for global clients, most recently a large-scale rebrand for a major European financial institution, developing the full visual language from strategic platform through to campaign execution. My practice sits at the intersection of rigorous craft and conceptual thinking. Over the years I've built identities, visual systems, and brand narratives for clients ranging from early-stage ventures to multinational organisations. As a mentor, I work best with students and designers who are serious about the quality of their output and career trajectory, people who want to close the gap between what they can see and what they can make. Whether you're finding your visual voice, developing your portfolio, or navigating the jump from execution to strategy, I can help you think more clearly and work more deliberately. I'd especially like to work with ethnic minorities and BIPOC audiences.

How to prepare

In order to make the most out of your Mentoring session, make sure to collect all your questions and structure them in a logical order. Take notes during the session and follow up of previous outcomes. For a more detailed feedback check our detailed list here.

Please be mindful of the Mentor's time.
Only book sessions that you can attend 100%.
This is how I can mentor you:
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Name Surname

Position, Company name

How to prepare

In order to make the most out of your Mentoring session, make sure to collect all your questions and structure them in a logical order. Take notes during the session and follow up of previous outcomes. For a more detailed feedback check our detailed list here.

Please be mindful of the Mentor's time.
Only book sessions that you can attend 100%.
from
85€ (45€ Bipoc)
45 Min

Open-ended Mentoring

A space to think through whatever's on your plate: career direction, creative confidence, studio vs agency, going freelance, or just feeling stuck. Sessions are unstructured by design. Come with a question, a decision, or nothing specific at all. Special price for BIPOC: 45€
from
85€ (45€ Bipoc)
45 Min

👁️ Portfolio Mentoring

A focused session on your portfolio: what's working, what isn't, and how to close the gap between the work you're making and the work you want to be known for. Covers craft, curation, and narrative. Special price for BIPOC: 45€.
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