Be Original Americas Worldwide Virtual Student Fellowship 2020: Exceeds Expectations
Global Audience of Students Reaches 3,400+ Registrants
Be Original Americas has had to pivot in a big way. The annual fellowship, now in its 5th year, originally gave two students a five-week opportunity to visit multiple firms in person. This year, clearly this was not possible. Foreseeing a possible pandemic while planning, its Director, Alyssa Young, suggested going virtual. “We could reach more students this way” noted Young, “and even go global!”
The Be Original Americas team took on the task of going digital this year, June 15-July 17, 2020, and contacted its member companies, both manufacturers, as well as architects and designers; 26** design companies, makers, and creators said “Yes!”. Through a series of live webinars followed by a Q&A, each firm got to present to students on an international scale, focusing on a different aspect of the design process and why design authenticity has such intrinsic value.
Contacting universities, students and professors, Be Original Americas team embarked on an aggressive social media campaign, resulting in the fellowship reaching an international audience of:
. 3,400+ students
. In over 30 countries spanning five continents*
. Leading to 10,000+ views to the Be Original Americas website.
We would like to give a tremendous thank you to all the participating companies that made this opportunity possible:
Anglepoise Herman Miller from MI
Bend Goods from CA Kartell from NJ
Bernhardt Design from No. Carolina Louis Poulsen from Denmark
Carl Hansen & Son from NY, CA & Denmark Magis from Italy
Cerno from CA Marcel Wanders Studio from the Netherlands
Designtex from ME Marset from NY
Emeco from CA Maya Romanoff from NY & IL
Fantini from NY & Italy Modern Metal from CA
Flavor Paper** Pablo Designs from CA
Fritz Hansen from Denmark Perigold from various U.S. cities
Gabellini Sheppard from NY Project Color Corps from CA
Gensler from MD Steelcase/Coalesse/Turnstone from CA
Georg Jensen from NY & Denmark Yellow Goat Design from various U.S. cities
The first worldwide virtual student fellowship could not have been possible without their dedication and commitment to making an impact on the next generation of designers.
The webinar-based program gave students in architecture, design and entrepreneurial studies an inside look into the factories, architecture and design studios, and headquarters of Be Original Americas member companies around the world creating authentic design.
To keep the momentum going and give the students valuable reference information they have access to a private YouTube channel created for them and then on September 1st, 2020, the videos will be released for public viewing, via Be Original Americas’ YouTube channel. As students go back to school remotely during this time and turn to engaging digital programs, we are proud to showcase our successful webinar series on such a broader spectrum, continuing to inspire students.
Our students tuned in from 30+ countries:
Australia
India
Portugal
Belgium
Ireland
Russia
Brazil
Italy
Scotland
Canada
Kuwait
Singapore
Columbia
Lebanon
Spain
Ecuador
Mexico
Taiwan
El Salvador
Myanmar
United Kingdom
France
Netherlands
Ukraine
Germany
Peurto Rico
United States
Guatemala
Peru
Greece
Poland
Here’s what some of the participants had to say:
“This first worldwide Be Original Americas virtual fellowship was a huge success. Credit goes to the Be Original Americas team who were willing to pivot to an entirely new opportunity, willing to do it fast, and able to do it superbly. The Be Original Americas Fellowship offered Emeco an incredible opportunity to inspire the future designers of the world. We can future-proof the planet by educating the next generation to design sustainably.” – Gregg Buchbinder, CEO, Emeco
“Knowledge and experiences are made to share. It has been a privilege and honor to have been part of this first worldwide virtual fellowship. Hoping to have given a little inspiration and motivation to all students, which will be the future creatives for the coming years.” – Gabriele Chiave, Creative Director, Marcel Wanders Studio
“I’m appreciative for the opportunity to present to the next generation of creative talent across the world at Be Original Americas’ first virtual fellowship. Although we couldn’t be together in person, the interactive nature of the virtual sessions allowed me to answer questions directly from the students and guide them in their path to pursuing a career in architecture and design.” – Ehren Gaag, Design Director & Principal, Gensler
Here’s what some of the students had to say:
“My experience with the virtual fellowship has been amazing. All the sessions I attended were quite informative and interesting. The behind the scenes of some of the designs were an eye opener for me. I hope that once things get back to normal, in the future you continue doing these virtual sessions so that people like me who aren’t able to attend them physically can do so virtually.” – Tanushri Kadam, Furniture Design Student at CEPT University, India
“My experience with the virtual fellowship has opened my vision of what design is outside of school, it gives me that dose of daily energy to want to know more about design and has been very motivating and inspiring. My favorite part is to see the behind the scenes of working in a studio or design factories. I love the tips designers give us for the new generation of designers.” – Sergio Gabriel Salazar Rodríguez, Industrial Design Student at Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico
*North and South America, Australia, Europe, and Asia
**Flavor Paper was unable to present due to an unforeseen occurrence
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, and Vitra, and board members, Carl Hansen & Søn, Georg Jensen, Gensler, 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. www.beoriginalamericas.com
FOR MORE INFO
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http://instagram.com/beoriginalusa
