About the Project

This project is my gap year.

I am taking a year off between high school and college to travel and explore design around the world so that I expand my understanding of design and gain clarity on use design to contribute meaningfully to our society. On a personal level, I aim to explore who I am and what I want in life through solo travel and facing fears.

First, I will canoe and portage through the Canadian Border Waters on an Outward Bound course. The goal is to gain confidence in tough situations. Then, I set off throughout Spain, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan, England, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. I will examine and compare design across these countries, cultures, and communities. My main focus will be on Industrial Design, however I believe all areas of design inform each other so I will also be looking at fashion, graphics, architecture, fine arts, and everything in between!

What is Industrial Design? Industrial Design is "the professional service of creating products and systems that optimize function, value and appearance for the mutual benefit of user and manufacturer" (www.idsa.org). I like to think of Industrial Design as the field responsible for almost everything tangible, from kitchen utensils to chairs to cars.

How will I "experience design"? I will visit museums and firms. I will lead conversations with professional designers. And, I will observe the everyday objects of the places I visit to begin to understand on which objects function beautifully, efficiently, and meaningfully across the world.

How can you help me? If you can suggest museums or locations with design significance (or that are just really cool), please share below! If you have friends, relatives, or colleagues in the design field who might be willing to meet with me over coffee or allow me to visit their firm, please share below! I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible, but I won't have a steady internet source.

What is in it for you? This blog! This blog will bring you photos and anecdotes from around the world, and your suggestions and connections will only enhance the content!

Thank you,

Please complete the form below to share your suggestions or connections with me. Thank you for your help!