We are pleased to announce that two students have been awarded Designmatters Fellowships for the Spring 2015 term. Adriana Crespo and Mariana Somma join the ranks of Art Center’s distinguished group of Designmatters Fellows who receive a generous scholarship to be embedded in an organization for an academic term, contributing their creative expertise and talent to a social impact cause.
Adriana Crespo (Illustration) has been awarded the Designmatters Fellowship with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) at headquarters in Washington DC. PAHO is the Americas arm of the World Health Organization (WHO). Adriana will be engaged in the development of a flagship initiative of PAHO’s Executive Director: the development of a brand identity for the Office of Country and SubRegional Coordination. Adriana looks forward to her Fellowship experience:
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the team of an international organizations whose efforts improve the lives of millions of people in the Americas. Art Center and Designmatters have prepared me well in understanding and visually communicating the mission and vision of collaborative efforts that strive to have a larger and meaningful impact. I can’t wait to collaborate with PAHO and contribute my design skills to further their values and goals in promoting health and well being in underserved communities.”
Mariana Somma (Graduate Industrial Design) has accepted the Designmatters Fellowship with The Nike Foundation in Oregon to join Tom de Blasis’ strategic design team. Mariana will continue and expand upon the work started in the Fall 2014 Girl Effect Studio, co-hosted by Designmatters and Product Design, which explored tools and systems for girls living in poverty around the globe. Mariana is excited to be continuing the research and work of the past term:
“This year’s TDS class with the Nike Foundation was a great introduction to learning about the challenges young girls face in poverty around the world. My goal, in the continued work with The Girl Effect Project, is to explore creative solutions for empowerment, confidence and skill building for girls to rise out of poverty and support their families and communities. I am thrilled to work with an organization that is dedicated to bringing innovation and tangible opportunities to girls globally, and I look forward to seeing this work provide a lasting social impact.”