Design Fair | How to Launch Your Project: Join Cooper Hewitt to learn how to launch a project!

You’re bringing your vision to life. Now what? Join a panel of National Design Award winners and young designers as they discuss how to gather support for your ideas, meet the challenges of a changing world, and enjoy the journey from idea to launch. Gain inspiration and insight as you make your next big move.

All programs are free to the public, preregistration required.

This event will be held virtually. Please contact cheducation@si.edu for any program related questions.

ModeratoR

Marisa Chentakul, Product Designer based in Seattle | Founder of Mesh

I started my career in Apparel Design and found my way into the tech industry. A creator at heart, I got into Product Design because of its ability to have a positive impact at scale. With my background in Fashion, I naturally gravitate towards topics like commerce, wearable tech, and emerging technology.

Beyond work and Mesh, I also co-founded Design Picnic, a community to kickstart your design career, and Uplift Locally, a platform that promotes small local businesses.

 

PANELISTS

GRACE JUN, CEO | OPEN STYLE LAB

Grace Jun is CEO at Open Style Lab (OSL), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to making style accessible for all people, regardless of cognitive and physical abilities. As a designer, educator, and entrepreneur, Grace is focused on developing a body of work to make style accessible by collaborating with disability and aging communities. Her research practice identifies design methods focused on the body, such as wearable technology and accessible clothing. With a background in user experience, Grace examines how visual graphics and digital tools can increase social inclusion for people with disabilities. With her managing partners at OSL, Grace connects this research into community through educational programs and workshops. These collaborations are reflected in her latest publication, Universal Materiality and featured in ForbesVogue, and the New York Times.

 

Nick Yulman, Head of Design & TECHNOLOGY | KICKSTARTER

As Kickstarter’s Head of Design & Technology, Nick Yulman helps designers, inventors, startups, and technologists bring their ideas to life. In his six years at the company he’s also done editorial and brand work and produced a podcast celebrating Kickstarter’s 10th anniversary in 2019.

Yulman has presented his own creative work, often involving musical robots, at venues around the world and has collaborated with a wide range of composers, choreographers, animators, designers, and artists.

He studied creative technology at NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program and has taught there, as well. Inspired by ITP’s collaborative environment, he co founded Floating Point, a collective studio space in Greenpoint, Brooklyn that recently closed during New York’s Covid-19 lockdown after eight years of operation.

Yulman spent five years working with the national oral history project StoryCorps, travelling the United States to record interviews, producing radio pieces that aired on NPR, and leading the team that managed the project’s vast archive of personal stories in collaboration with Library of Congress.

Accessibility

This free program will be hosted through Zoom, with the option to dial in as well. Details will be emailed to you upon registration. CART captioning will be provided. Please reach out to us with any information on how we can support your participation, and with requests for services by emailing CHAccess@si.edu.

About National Design Month

In 2020, National Design Week expands to a monthlong virtual celebration, gathering the country’s leading designers and communities around the country to celebrate the power of design in our everyday world. Held in conjunction with the National Design Awards, National Design Month will highlight the work of Award winners through a series of free virtual education programs throughout October including talks, tours, workshops, a professional development training, a college fair, and a career fair. Check back throughout October for new activities to be released on the Smithsonian Learning Lab and more!

 

2020 Special Thanks