Mentor Profile
15599
Alex Nagel
Mentor ID:
App Date:
Start Date:
Career Status:
Education:
Feb 7, 2026
Feb 9, 2026
Employed Full Time
Bachelor's
Meeting Platform:
Google Meet
Capacity:
Avail. Capacity:
1
0
Bio
I’m the Founder and CEO of ANCORD Design Co., a sustainable industrial design studio based in Victoria, BC. For the past 8+ years, I’ve worked with startups and established brands across outdoor gear, consumer products, medical devices, and hardware innovation—helping teams move from early concepts to production-ready products.
My background is in industrial and transportation design, and my work sits at the intersection of creativity, engineering, and real-world manufacturing constraints. I’ve built my career by learning through practice—making mistakes, navigating ambiguity, and developing systems that balance design ambition with feasibility. As a mentor, I focus on practical guidance, clear thinking, and helping students build confidence in how they approach problems, not just how they execute solutions.
Prior Experience
Throughout my career, I’ve mentored junior designers, interns, and early-career professionals both formally and informally. This includes supervising design interns, onboarding junior team members, guiding practicum students, and providing one-on-one coaching around portfolio development, design process, client communication, and career direction.
As a studio founder, mentoring is a core part of my role—helping emerging designers translate academic skills into professional practice, understand how design decisions impact cost and sustainability, and build the judgment needed to work effectively in real-world projects. I aim to provide honest feedback, structured guidance, and a supportive environment for growth.
Why Mentor?
I’m interested in being a Sparks mentor because I remember how valuable it was to have access to experienced professionals early in my career—especially those who could offer perspective beyond coursework. Design careers can feel opaque from the outside, and small, consistent conversations can make a big difference in how students navigate decisions, setbacks, and opportunities.
I’m particularly motivated by long-term mentorship. Meeting once a month over a year allows space for reflection, continuity, and real progress—whether that’s clarifying career goals, building confidence, or learning how to think through complex problems. I see this as a chance to give back in a meaningful, realistic way while supporting students as they move from school into practice.
