imagine...
... a go-to resource for counselors, teachers, parents, and students to connect to the world of professional design... a “really cool” program that attracts smart, talented, and highly-motivated public school kids with artistic interest... a community of mentors who look forward to meeting their new design intern each summer...9 years and over 87 students inspired to pursue careers in the creative arts...this is YOUTH DESIGN!
past: the start and moving forward
Youth Design was founded by Denise Korn of Korn Design, a brand strategy and design firm based in Boston and New York. As Board Lead for Business Outreach Initiatives for AIGA Boston (the local chapter of the national professional association for Design) in 2002, Denise had an idea for creating a program that would build community and business awareness of the value of design and showcase the design profession to local public schools as a viable career option for students. Denise forged partnerships between AIGA, Boston Public Schools, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, and the Private Industry Council, and, with several of Boston’s best design businesses agreeing to serve as mentors, launched YD’s first summer in 2003 with students from five different Boston public high schools working in seven design firms.
Through 2004 and 2005, YDB was gaining a reputation for highly-effective, positive experiences for both interns and mentors, but finding funding for internships and support continued to be a struggle. In 2006, Continuum, an international design strategy, brand experience and product innovation consultancy based in the Boston area, came on board as a partner with a generous gift that provided YDB with the base of financial support needed to form a solid launching pad. Another boost to the program was the publication of a feature story in The Boston Globe in August 2006.
The program has evolved and continues to grow! A proven track record of successul summer jobs has brought additional sponsors, supporters, mentors, and volunteers to the program, as well as increased recognition in the community and by civic leaders, and popularity among students who hear about the program from teachers and friends.
present: continued expansion and growth
This summer a diverse group of twenty-eight students from seven different Boston public schools have the opportunity to work in design, printing, and architecture. The Professional Development Series, a weekly series of educational events for Youth Design students, will integrate an exciting new aspect: students will visit different design firms, museums, and printing companies to see different aspects of design in action.
Youth Designers will also participate in our annual Time to Design competition where every summer students are assigned a deisgn problem that they must tackle during the course of the Youth Design program. The students are partnered with a professional Visual Art Director who will review their work online at each deadline and coach them through the assignment along with their job-site mentor. Designs are judged by a stellar group of leading designers and social action leaders. The top ten winning designs will be profiled on the Youth Design website. The top three winnings designs are printed onto a limited edition set of t-shirts and sold on KARMALOOP.com to support Youth Design!
