About DIA Design Guild
DIA Design Guild is a nonprofit organization providing personalized UX mentorship and real-world experience for underrepresented professionals
About our name
DIA stands for "Designing for Inclusion and Accessibility"—values that are central to our mission since we started as LA DIA Design in 2017. We chose "guild" to reflect our commitment to community-centered learning, where experienced practitioners pass knowledge to emerging designers through mentorship and collaboration.
The name encapsulates both our focus on creating inclusive design practices and our belief that the strongest professional development happens through authentic relationships and shared knowledge within a supportive community.
Supporting underrepresented voices in UX design
DIA Design Guild was founded in 2017 to become the mentors we wished we had while finding our way into user experience (UX) design. What began as LA DIA Design—based in Los Angeles but working with mentors from around the world—has evolved into a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing mentorship, practical experience, and community support for aspiring UX professionals from underrepresented backgrounds.
Following years of community-supported growth, DIA Design Guild converted to a nonprofit corporation and received federal recognition as a public charity as of May 2023.
We believe in personalized, long-term mentorship that meets people where they are in their career journey—because the best growth happens through authentic relationships and real-world practice.
How we work
Apprentice program
Our year-long program pairs apprentices with experienced UX professionals who provide individualized guidance, portfolio development support, and industry insights. Unlike traditional bootcamps or educational programs, we focus on building lasting mentorship relationships that extend beyond formal program duration.
Client partnerships
We collaborate with mission-aligned organizations on web design, UX consultation, research, and information architecture projects. These partnerships serve a dual purpose: generating revenue to sustain our free apprentice program while providing apprentices with hands-on experience on real client work.
Community support
Our approach creates a cyclical model where alumni often return as mentors, fostering a strong sense of community and shared investment in our mission. We maintain connections through ongoing events, resources, and networking opportunities.
Our approach
Intentional growth over rapid scaling: We prioritize depth of support over breadth of reach, ensuring every apprentice receives meaningful mentorship rather than pursuing aggressive expansion.
Community-supported sustainability: Our public charity status recognizes that we're sustained by broad-based community support—through client partnerships, individual donations, and volunteer contributions—rather than dependence on major donors.
Practical experience: We emphasize hands-on learning through real projects, helping apprentices build portfolios while contributing to meaningful work with organizations focused on social, economic, and environmental good.
Leadership and governance
DIA Design Guild is guided by a volunteer board of directors who bring diverse backgrounds in UX design, research, community building, and organizational development. Our leadership team is made up of practicing designers, researchers, and industry professionals who are genuinely committed to creating pathways for underrepresented voices in tech.
How we make decisions Our board meets regularly to talk through the big stuff—program development, keeping our doors open financially, where we're headed as an organization, and how we can best partner with others in our community. We believe in making decisions together, with each board member bringing their real-world experience to help us stay true to our mission.
As a 509(a)(2) public charity, we maintain transparent governance practices and are accountable to both our community and regulatory requirements. This structure helps us stay agile and responsive to evolving needs of the UX design community, while making sure we're taking good care of the resources people trust us with.
Get involved
For aspiring UX professionals
We typically open apprentice applications once per year. Our program is designed for career changers, early-career professionals, and those from underrepresented backgrounds who are committed to growing their UX skills through mentorship and real project work.
Learn about the apprentice program
For experienced practitioners
We seek mentors who share our vision for inclusive design education and have the capacity to provide sustained, personalized guidance to apprentices navigating career transitions.
Explore mentorship opportunities
For organizations
We partner with companies and nonprofits who need UX research, design, or information architecture support while aligning with our values of social, economic, and environmental responsibility.
For supporters and donors
As a public charity, donations to DIA Design Guild are tax-deductible and help us sustain our commitment to providing free mentorship and educational resources.