SAIL

In the summer of 2017, the Product Design program at the University of Oregon would participate in the SAIL program for the first time. I was asked by Kiersten Muenchinger, the University of Oregon Product Design Department Head, to create a one-week curriculum for high school students about product design. For the following two months, I would meet with Kiersten every other week and present what I had planned as we created the curriculum for this exciting new class.

The Product Design classes quickly filled up for both weeks of the SAIL program. I led a five-day course of 20 students for two weeks. As the only instructor for the two weeks, I experienced the full spectrum of introducing product design to students for the very first time.  Collectively we came up with an project we were going to sell at a popup shop. the students learning brainstorm,  ideation, design sketching, Solid works CAD modeling and 3D printing.

Mentorship Lane Arts Council

 A partnership between Lane Arts Council and the University of Oregon Department of Product Design. 

The Product of Eugene program offers Lane County middle and high school students apprenticeship opportunities in graphic, digital and physical design. Students pair with a professional product designer (often UO instructors or alumni), utilizing the technology available at the 942 Olive building in Downtown Eugene. This 13,000 sq. ft. building features classrooms, studios, digital design lab, plastics lab (with 3D printers, laser cutter, analog shop tools) and exhibition spaces.

Students work alongside their mentor to understand the profession of product design, explore specific ways to approach design, and begin creating innovative products of their own. In addition to learning a creative practice, students also explore the business aspects of a creative career, bolstering college and career readiness regardless of their chosen field.