OSL Summer Program
About our Summer Program
Our 6-10 week summer incubator program provides a diverse community for learning about inclusive design, adaptive fashion and collaborative research with people with disabilities. From partnerships with corporations to educational institutions, we explore a different theme each year.
2024 Open Style Lab Summer Program on Footwear
Our summer program is currently in progress!
Over 6 weeks, we will dive deep into accessible footwear. Participating fellows will be invited to work in a hands-on, cross-disciplinary environment, collaborating with the disability community to explore challenges and design style-led adaptive footwear solutions. The fellowship will focus on functionality, comfort and style. Throughout this workshop, you will have the opportunity to work with experts in the field of inclusive design and gain access to Open Style Lab’s extensive database of over 10 years of learnings in inclusive design and fashion.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join Open Style Lab’s award-winning summer program that equips makers and designers with the skills to design with people with disabilities and problem-solve with style and beauty for a more inclusive world.
It is a chance to rethink design norms, innovate for better design for all and meet an amazing collective of creatives who design with soul, purpose, joy and empowerment. Let’s challenge perceptions of human ability and the body through design and technology!
About the Program
During the fellowship, fellows learn and create inclsuively designed footwear. Teams are formed to develop a range of prototypes, both digital and physical, demonstrating the application of design principles in real-world scenarios.
Download Requirements Here
Download Requirements Here
Teams are given resources to carry out work with people with disabilities to co-fabricate 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 disability history and past OSL examples to inclusive design principles.
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 different 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 disability and non-disabled community a.k.a experts, designers, occupational therapists and film fellows interested in participating in our eighth summer program.
All fellows must have at least 1 year of work experience in their field and be able to commute to Manhattan, New York. Film and Design Fellows will be asked to share a portfolio with a CV.
Must be a US citizen.
What is the summer commitment?
June 10th - July 27th
Virtual induction week starting June 10th
June 15th-July 27th: In-person meetings every Saturday
Expectations:
1 in-person day every Saturday (9am-5pm) and 1 day of lab work with your team on any other day of your team’s choosing
2 evenings (1.5 hr) of virtual lecture attendance
What is the research and work like?
Fellows will contribute to the growing body of research and collaboration synergy at OSL by creating tools, learning methods and designs related to accessible footwear challenges.
Where does the program take place?
Brooklyn, New York City
Is there a stipend?
Selected fellows will be offered a stipend for travel expenses, fees and material costs.
Footwear challenges from the community
“Shoes are the absolute worst in the world. I’d rather go bathing suit shopping in front of a group of teenagers than go shoe shopping.”
OPEN STYLE LAB INTERVIEWEE 2020
“When my shoes support me well, I sit better, taller, straighter, and that makes me feel more confident.”
OPEN STYLE LAB INTERVIEWEE 2020