New Academy Scholarship Rewards Emerging Industrial Designers
Three Academy of Art University Industrial Design students impressed the judges to win the new
Chrysler Sara Little Turnbull Scholarship Award. These designers of the future each received
the $5,000 scholarship for the Fall 2008 semester thanks to their exceptional essay and design
skills.
The scholarship, created thanks to a generous grant from the Chrysler Foundation, was named
after creative pioneer Sara Little Turnbull in recognition of her profound contributions to the
world of design. She has worked for top firms such as Coca Cola, Proctor & Gamble, Nike,
Volvo and 3M. As an influential woman in design, she embodies one of the goals of the
scholarship to create a more proportionate representation of women in the industrial design field.
Winners Kim Hoffman, Napa Pisutha-Arnond, and Zavier Alexander were all ecstatic when they
learned they received the award and glowed about their experience at the Academy. Their
essays gave a broad picture of how design has affected their lives and how it is changing the
world. |
Zavier Alexander's "Flex"
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Napa said she came to the United States to broaden her vision and gain valuable
experience.
“This is the place where everything is possible and the technology is very up to date, which
is a fit for Industrial Designers’ needs,” she said.
The scholarship will help Kim to expand the range of classes she takes at the Academy and allow
more time for her to pursue her passion for design and focus on her studies.
BFA Product Design student Zavier Alexander was planning on going into video game design
before he saw pictures of the industrial design work in the Academy’s course catalog.
“My immediate reaction was, ‘Wow! I can really do that for a living?!’”
His years at the Academy have been amazing and transformative. |
Kim Hoffman's Bamboo Pen Design
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“All the great friendships I’ve forged and skills I’ve learned have contributed to making
this a period of my life I’m sure to look back fondly on – frantic all-nighters included.”
All the students felt Academy instructors had been extremely influential in enhancing their
design skills and knowledge. Napa was particularly impressed with Carol Koffel. “I
think she is very talented. I’m always surprised how she can analyze design problems from
many different aspects.”
Kim was most impacted by Academy instructor Chris Myers, “Chris really cares about the
progress of all his students. He always gives helpful and honest advice, which only makes
your work better.”
All of the student submissions talked about the powerful influence design has on individuals
and society as a whole.
“I think design as an act of gift-giving can help us as human beings enrich our lives
practically and emotionally, while even encouraging tangible steps towards addressing perennial
ethical and social issues,” said Zavier.
The Academy congratulates these three talented winners. We are proud to offer another
tool to help talented artists pursue their passion at our top notch School of Industrial
Design. |
Napa Pisutha-Arnond's "Flow"
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