Last year, the first Designers' Residency from New York-based strategy firm and design space Colony was launched for the first time. Founder of Colony, Jean Lin works together with art director Madeleine Parsons to find emerging talent to connect them with a space that elevates the international design market. In turn, Colony will help subsidize shop space and employ the artful residents at the gallery -- this gives them a professional studio and curation experience.
Parsons notes, "From the start of the selection process last spring, we were drawn to the authenticity of these designers’ distinctive voices and curious about how they might influence one another throughout the design process. While the collections presenting this June stand very much apart from each other aesthetically, they embody The Designers’ Residency Program’s collective power. Support, research sharing, and critical conversations accelerate the process of building something as personal as an eponymous studio. The work is only as beautiful as the community that created it."
Designer Residency Art Studios
Colony Presents Four New Studios from Residency Program
Trend Themes
1. Collaborative Art Studios - Emergent designers can leverage communal workspaces to create more innovative and diverse collections.
2. Subsidized Creative Spaces - Financial support for studio spaces opens up opportunities for fresh talent in the design industry.
3. Curated Design Communities - Curated residencies enhance the creative output of designers through shared resources and feedback.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Design - Programs like the Designers' Residency boost the evolution of the art and design industry through new talent.
2. Real Estate - Involvement in subsidized studio spaces can significantly impact the real estate sector by creating artist-focused hubs.
3. Education - Design residency programs offer alternative education opportunities by focusing on practical, experience-based learning.