Whatnot Studio: NYC

Fall 2019 / Spring 2020

CAPSTONE 4900 010 

Faculty: Pete Oyler and Jonah Takagi

The External Partnerships Studio is a structured collaboration between SAIC's Designed Objects program and local/international corporate entities, especially product manufacturers, material manufacturers, and retail enterprises. The two-semester long course engages select upper-level undergraduate and graduate students with the particular concerns and constraints of "real-world" projects. Specific design problems/opportunities are defined by Industry Partners and require students to embrace the limitations of, for example: specific manufacturing methods and materials, identified commercial trends, narrow consumer profiles, tight price points, and rigid brand identity. The studio situates itself as a valuable partner with industry, one capable of contributing to the development of fairly typical, but widely vaired commercial ventures with the freshness and diversity of perspectives found in our enthusiastic student body. 

This is a two-semester long design course that begins in Fall 2019 and runs through Spring 2020. We will produce a collection of original products for exhibition in New York City during NYCxDesign. Students are admitted via a portfolio application reviewed by the faculty. Portfolio application is required for this course.