New partnership aims to address lack of diversity within interior design practice
Final year graduates from Edinburgh Napier’s interior and spatial design programme will have the chance to complete high level paid apprenticeships in leading design practices thanks to a new, innovative partnership aimed at addressing a lack of diversity within the interior design industries.
Interior Educators, the subject group association for Interior Design / Interior Architecture courses from across the UK has recently announced a new partnership with United in Design – a new charity which aims to address the lack of diversity within the interior industries.
Founded by Sophie Ashby and Alexandra Dauley, United in Design’s focus is addressing the lack of diversity within the Interior industries. The new partnership between Interior Educators and United In Design has recently seen the launch of a brand new apprenticeship competition.
Open to all final year interior graduates, the apprenticeship will comprise of a one year paid opportunity, working in four practices across London.
The apprenticeship will be awarded to the graduate with the most innovative, comprehensive and well communicated portfolio containing, in no more than 30 pages, a final degree studio project, and one other selected project.
Reflecting the values of both organisations, applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic students will be encouraged.
Programme Leader for BDes (Hons) Interior and Spatial Design at Edinburgh Napier University, Paul Kerlaff, is chair of the Interior Educators organisation. Edinburgh Napier is one of 52 interior design education institutions in the UK of which the organisation represents.
He is delighted with the new partnership; one that has the potential to significantly change the opportunities available to new graduates within the interior design field.
He said: “This new partnership is a big step in addressing some of the current issues around diversity within the interior design industries in the UK.
“As chair of Interior Educators, we’re proud to be partnering with United In Design and look forward to playing a key role in allowing our industry to be accessible and open to as many people as possible.
“At Edinburgh Napier, we are very much cheerleaders for widening opportunities and we are delighted to be at the forefront of making things happen to address diversity in design practice.
“The apprenticeship opportunity is hopefully the first of many positive outcomes from the new Interior Educators and United In Design partnership. One that will not only benefit Edinburgh Napier students, but design students from across the UK.”
More information on Interior Educators can be found here.
More information on United In Design can be found here.
Details on the new apprenticeship competition can be found here - interested students should contact their programme leader in the first instance before applying.