OSL Design Impact Fellowship 2025
Fellow Applications are now OPEN - Application Deadline May 11th 11:59pm BST
Over 6 weeks, multidisciplinary teams will create accessible designs through transformative collaboration with Disabled Expert Fellows. This year’s program will cover the topics of inclusive footwear, accessible design toolkits and packaging prototypes. Fellows will explore human-centered design thinking, whilst experimenting with innovative technologies to create impactful wearable solutions. Apply today and become empowered as a thought-leader to create lasting, scalable impact within the inclusive design space.
What to Expect:
- Collaborative Innovation: Work in multidisciplinary teams to co-design accessible footwear, design toolkits and packaging concepts, working with people with disabilities at every part of the process.
- Empowerment & Learning: Gain hands-on experience in design thinking, storytelling, and innovative technology, positioning yourself as a thought-leader in the inclusive design space.
- Proven Impact: Previous program outcomes have been featured at New York Fashion Week and showcased at esteemed institutions such as the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in NYC, Museum für Gestaltung Zürich in Zurich and the upcoming Victoria and Albert Museum in London June 2025.
Calling for:
- Disabled Expert Fellows (Individuals with lived experience of disability)
- Physical Designers (Fashion, Accessories, Packaging, Product, Architecture, Textiles etc.)
- Graphic Designers (Skills in storytelling, visual communication and prototyping)
- Occupational / Physical Therapists, Prosthetics + Orthotics Experts
- Industrial / Product Engineers
Date:
- Preprogram Meeting (June) - introduction, and an in-person meeting!
- 6x Weeks of Programming (July to August) - 2 weeks virtual + 4 weeks hybrid
- 1x Final Exhibition (September)
Commitments:
First 2 weeks (Virtual)
* Monday 14th July to Sunday 27th July
* 3 weeknight virtual calls (2 hrs each)
* Virtual Saturday calls (3 hrs) 3-6pm
4 weeks (Hybrid)
* 28th July - 23rd August
* In person every Saturdays: Full day program in-person in London - Aug 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd.
* + 1 Day a week lab day of your teams choosing
* +2-3 times a week evening virtual calls (2 hrs each)
* + Independent project work throughout the week
Final Exhibit
* Final exhibition (September)
If you are interested in joining our 2025 fellowship cohort please apply below. If you have any questions please email us at summeruk@openstylelab.org.
Fellow Testimonials
“The OSL Summer Program was an expansive and revitalizing period in my life, as it stretched me to think outside the boundaries of traditional paradigms, and spurred me to cultivate my inner creator.”
Christine Oak, 2024 Alumni
“This summer co-design experience has made me realize that I can directly advocate and create equity for myself and others, skyrocketed by skills personally obtained from this program.”
Levi Waterhouse, 2024 Alumni
OSL Fellows 2024
About the Program
Teams are given material stipends to carry out work with people with disabilities to co-design and prototype ideas.
Fellows will also be given a wide range of resources, including educational material and lectures from prominent figures in the disabled community and the design world. Topics will range from the history of the disability justice movement to the principles of inclusive design.
By the end of the program, each team will share design projects and receive feedback from prominent guest lecturers, mentors and judges from academia and the creative industries during a final showcase to the public. See our 2020 showcase collaboration with MDA HERE
Who is eligible to apply?
- Open Style Lab is seeking applications from members of the disabled and non-disabled community, such as experts, physical designers, graphic designers, occupational therapists and engineer fellows interested in participating in our summer program.
- All fellows must have at least 1 year of work experience in their field.
- Open to UK citizens.
- Must be a London resident or able to readily commute to London.
- Applications for every fellow category must be submitted by May 4th, 2025.
What does the program consist of?
Accepted fellows will immerse themselves in a hands-on environment, collaborating closely across disciplines. The program will guide fellows through stages of research, ideation, fabrication, iteration and realization.
The aim of the program is to drive meaningful impact with the disabled community in order to create innovative wearable solutions with function, style, and scalability. Fellows will also have the opportunity to collaborate internationally with OSL USA to crosspollinate with a global perspective.
Where does the program take place?
London, UK.
Will I get paid?
All accepted fellows will be offered a team stipend for material costs. If you require need-based financial support to go towards travel, accommodation, and other living expenses, please apply through the corresponding question in the form.
Fellows will be advised to create delegation plans with their teams on shared expenses.
What is the time commitment?
- Preprogram Meeting (June)
- 6x Weeks of Programming (mid-July to late-August)
- 2-3x weeknight virtual calls (2 hours each)
- 2x Saturday virtual calls (3 hours each)
- 4x Saturday full program days
- 4x lab days of your teams choosing
- 1x Final Exhibition (September)