Bringing Two Students to Nine Cities for Immersive Visits to Member Firms, Studios, and Factories
Be Original Americas, the non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for design authenticity, is launching the third annual Be Original Americas Student Design Fellowship. The immersive, seven-week program introduces two undergraduate students to all facets of creating innovative, high-quality products through hands-on, in-the-field learning.
The fellowship has successfully helped launch the careers of the 2016 fellows, who have now entered the workforce. Sarah Ahart graduated from Virginia Tech last year and is currently working at 42 Design Fab Studio as an exhibition designer. Karina Campos graduated from Syracuse University last year and is employed by IBM as a User Researcher.
“The fellowship really opened my eyes to all of the possible routes I could take with design. I made a lot of valuable connections and had a variety of hands-on experiences that I will carry with me throughout my career as a designer.” Says 2016 Fellow, Sarah Ahart, about the program.
The program will continue to focus on different aspects of the design process from research and development to manufacturing and marketing, through the perspective of Be Original Americas member companies, supplemented by visits to their showrooms, headquarters, and factories in New York City and throughout the United States. The Be Original Americas Fellowship will provide uniquely diverse and comprehensive exposure to the top players in the industry, offering insights from both iconic firms with global heritage and game-changing new brands.
The program will run June 11-July 31, 2018, during which the fellows will visit member companies in nine cities throughout seven states. Adding West Coast firms for this edition, participating member companies include:
North East
2×4
Carnegie
Design Within Reach
Emeco
Flavor Paper
Michael Graves Architecture & Design
Niche Modern
Rich Brilliant Willing
Sarkos
Midwest
Herman Miller
South East
Bernhardt Design
Skram
West Coast
Council Inc
Laura Guido-Clark
Pablo Designs
Studio O+A
“The fellowship put me in contact with parts of the design industry which I had not really considered before—everything from textile manufacturing to heritage brand archiving. The ability to spend one-on-one time talking to professionals in the industry was incredibly impactful.” Says 2017 Fellow, Tom Groom, about his experience.
The program is open to currently enrolled undergraduate students in their 2nd or 3rd year of study at an accredited college or university in the United States. Applicants must be in good standing at their university (3.0 GPA or higher), eligible to work in the United States, and at least 18 years of age or older. Students currently enrolled in industrial design, interior design, architecture, and entrepreneurial programs, or who have a demonstrated interest in a career in the design industry are encouraged to apply.
The application deadline is March 12, 2018. Please visit www.beoriginalamericas.com/fellowship.
ABOUT BE ORIGINAL AMERICAS
Be Original Americas is a nonprofit organization that is committed to initiating discussion on the importance and value of preserving original design across the Americas, through informational, educational and influential marketing initiatives and other efforts to promote this critical issue. Be Original Americas charter members – including Alessi, Bernhardt Design, Design Within Reach, Emeco, Flos, Fritz Hansen, Herman Miller®, Kartell, Ligne Roset, Poltrona Frau Group and Vitra, and new board members, Gensler and Rich Brilliant Willing – believe that the value of authenticity cannot be underestimated or taken for granted in the marketplace. Through an aggressive program of panel discussions and CEU courses, the movement campaigns to establish a set of industry standards that encourages public and professionals, along with our media partners, to fully support creativity and authenticity, to invest in the future of design, to incentivize innovation, and to give back to the industry and the people it serves. www.beoriginalamericas.com
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