For most art and design school students, the crowning moment of their educational careers spent tirelessly refining their practice is a public spectacle — an open exhibition, or a fashion show, for example. It’s the opportunity for students to reveal work that’s been years in the making to a wide audience, comprised of both industry professionals and the general public alike. And for some, it will serve as the launching pad for life-long careers.
Previously, we’ve reported on how fashion students around the world were facing up to having the climactic moment of their school days denied them by the current pandemic, as well as on the grassroots initiatives set up to help them continue their learning during this time. How they will present their work has, however, remained an anomaly.
But while the physical experience of a graduate show or exhibition may be tricky to replicate, with the digital tools we have at our disposal, there are steps that we can take to help give this year’s art and design school graduates the showcase they deserve.
Accordingly, we’re proud to announce that we’re partnering with ARTSTHREAD to launch the Global Design Graduate Show 2020. Open to any emerging creatives due to graduate this year (2019-20), in any art and design undergraduate or postgraduate discipline, and wherever they are in the world; final year students will be invited to submit their work for consideration by a panel of industry experts. As well as your final looks, we’ll also be assessing your concept and creative process portfolios — the journey is just as exciting as the destination, after all — with the work of those selected to be exhibited on a dedicated section of the ARTSTHREAD website.
“We’re truly honoured to partner with ARTSTHREAD on this initiative,” says i-D’s Editor in Chief Alastair McKimm. “Each year, the talent emerging from art schools around the world inspires fresh hope for the future of our creative industries. While current circumstances might not allow for graduate exhibitions and shows in their typical formats, it’s more important than ever that we use the resources at our disposal to share their work with the world.”
Excited? You should be! Keep your eyes peeled for more info on the different categories and how to take part soon…