Over 2,200 students registered to learn from 21 of design’s most original organizations
Be Original Americas is proud to mark the conclusion of the 6th annual Be Original Americas Student Fellowship program, the non-profit’s signature educational initiative offering unprecedented access behind-the-scenes at some of Architecture and Design’s leading organizations. After a successful pivot to virtual programming in 2020 in order to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2021 Fellowship was again held digitally, reaching a global audience of more than 2200 registered students and future design professionals.
First held in 2016, the Be Original Americas Student Fellowship aims to instill an appreciation for authenticity and educate on professional design processes in order to define the future of the design community by standards of integrity and creativity and fight back against the proliferation of knock-offs in the industry, which hurt consumers and creators alike. From June 2-25th, 2021, registered students gathered via webinars to learn about topics ranging from sustainable manufacturing to contemporary approaches in interior design and architecture. After each hosting member’s presentation, students engaged in lively Q&A sessions, creating a true dialogue between current and future design professionals and offering a much-needed sense of community during a time when many are still navigating the effects of social isolation. In 2022, with the support of member company Skyline Design, Be Original Americas plans to re-incorporate in-person learning opportunities into the virtual programming as they celebrate 10 years of tireless design advocacy.
Says Ryan Ben, Director of Association Experience, and Cheryl Durst, Executive Vice President and CEO of presenting member IIDA National, “We are honored to have been involved in bringing such an incredible opportunity to students all over the globe.”
Says Coleman Gutshall, President, Be Original Americas, “As champions of original design, our members have shown extraordinary commitment to the young people who will shape the future of design. We are deeply grateful to our presenters, and excited to see what originality our student attendees will bring to their budding careers as a result of their participation in this Fellowship program.”
Guided by the design advocacy group’s mission to inform, educate, and influence manufacturers, artisans, design professionals, and consumers about the value of authentic design, the recorded presentations from the 2021 Fellowship will become available via the Be Original Americas YouTube channel on September 1, 2021.
Be Original Americas would like to give a tremendous thank you to all 2021 participating member companies for their dedication to empowering the next generation of design professionals:
AMEICO Inc
Blu Dot
Carl Hansen & Søn*
Cerno*
Designtex & Coalesse*
Emeco*
Gabellini Sheppard*
Gensler*
Georg Jensen*
Herman Miller*
IIDA National
Kartell US*
Ligne Roset
Lissoni Inc
Louis Poulsen*
Marcel Wanders Studio*
Modern Metal*
Rottet Studio
Santa Margherita S.p.A.
Studio O+A
Wanted Design
*returning presenter from 2020
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, Carl Hansen & Søn, Emeco, Flos, Fritz Hansen, Herman Miller®, Kartell, Ligne Roset, and Vitra, and board members, Georg Jensen, Gensler, Luceplan and Rottet Studio – 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.
FOR MORE INFO
www.facebook.com/beoriginalamericas
http://www.linkedin.com/company/beoriginalamericas
http://instagram.com/beoriginalusa