What is Design4?

Design4 is an externally funded initiative that introduces principles of experiential learning into the realm of paid professional opportunities for current OCAD U students. Each opportunity will specify any particular programs of study, or year levels or other eligibility criteria.

How will it work?

Students will be selected out of a pool of applicants and will have the chance to work part-time in small multi-disciplinary teams for a fixed period (e.g., 21 weeks) with the goal of addressing design challenges proposed by employment partners.

Are you a student looking to join a Design4 team? Design4 opportunities are posted throughout the year on the OCAD U Talent Network Job board. Keep an eye out on routine emails sent to all eligible students from the CEAD. 

Are you an employment partner looking to partner with us? We would be glad to hear from you.

Design4 has collaborated with dozens of employment partners from a range of sectors and industries, with a focus on the following 4: 

  • New start-up ventures
  • SME private enterprise
  • The cultural sector/ The Arts
  • Social innovation/ non for profit

Equity and Diversity

OCAD U’s principles of decolonisation, diversity & equity, sustainability and health/wellness are guiding considerations for the Design4 program. 

The OCAD U RBC CEAD is committed to promoting substantive equality for equity-seeking groups that are under-represented in the creative sector. We encourage applications from first-time applicants to the program and graduates of equity-seeking communities including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities / expressions. Applicants are welcome to advise the CEAD of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process.

Quality Assurance

The RBC Centre for Emerging Artists and Designers will work closely with students, mentors and partners to ensure that best-practises, mentorship and meaningful outcomes are assured. Partner agreements will outline the commitments to all stakeholders, ensuring follow-through, as well as qualitative assessment.

Where will the work happen?

Work arrangements will be unique to each call for applicants. Students have had the option to work remotely or periodically at the employment partner’s place of work. Dedicated workspace in the Rosalie Sharp Experiential Learning Centre at 115 McCaul Street on the OCAD U campus may also be available.

Expected Outcomes

  • Deep industry insight and the chance to build meaningful creative professional relationships that will enhance future employment outcomes 
  • The opportunity to put discipline-specific design skills into practice and reflect on the portfolio-worthy work that gets produced 
  • The creation of an institutionally supported community of practice on campus 

Past Examples of Projects

A national financial services company wants to– examine the impact and context of digital currencies and use foresighting to co-develop a report which is then presented to internal stakeholders 

An arts & culture research organization seeks to devise a curriculum and storytelling methodology that will help arts + culture not-for-profits to analyze data associated with charitable giving so that they can better leverage that data for fundraising 

A beverage company wants assistance with the visual and technical buildout of an interactive website (an open-source educational platform) that supports biodiversity initiatives 

A major design festival wants to develop a new brand identity, advertising plan and assets for the festival to roll out as part of their 10th anniversary

A telecommunications company is looking to perform an audit and conduct interviews with users of their digital services in order to make UI/UX suggestions and devise prototypes as part of recommended improvements 

A technology start-up seeks to – develop complimentary digital experiences for a new wearable health and wellness product 

Download program brochure

 

OCAD University recognises the significant contribution of the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and our many employment partners as founding funders of Design4.