from graphic designers to engineers, the design world is serving our communities in ways not often recognized
take design educator KT Meaney for example. his students spent a semester partnered with a non-profit organization, Hip Hop Haven, to construct space for inner-city youth to take classes and provide help with homework. at Purdue University, there is an Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) program in which students provide technical expertise to nonprofit agencies.
in exchange for their work, the students gain real world practice without the real world fear of falling flat.
school work can bring only so much to design background. students are invited to think imaginatively, outside the box, but taking a design beyond mock-up is an important step many students aren’t exposed to and through projects like Hip Hop Haven students begin to fulfill their potential.
Meaney’s students gained exhibition design experience while raising awareness of Hip Hop Haven. the heart of the show rested in portraits of the Haven kids taken by their peers after crash course lessons from the college students. set up in the middle of the space and hung from the ceiling, these larger than life portraits serve as a personal example of giving back to a community.
the EPICS program at Purdue establishes partnerships with agencies over several years. teams of students are given a project and teaching assistants to provide technical and administrative guidance. several engineering programs across the united states, including our own Iowa State, have developed since Purdue’s first program in 1995. a program by which students gain valuable lessons in engineering and more importantly, lessons in citizenship.
pay it forward
not only an inspirational motto, pay it forward is something we practice at julsdesign. by hiring interns we hope to open their fresh eyes to the intense world that was once tinted. growing and learning the field in a friendly yet time demanding environment is a priceless experience for maturing designers. but the interns are not the only ones to benefit, the staff also gains valuable experience in art directing and mentoring.
“the more you give of your time and talent the more richness you will receive in your life.” - julie mangels
