Arts Apprenticeship Program

Our Product Design Apprenticeship Program is a partnership between Lane Arts Council and the University of Oregon Department of Product Design. The program offers Lane County middle and high school students apprenticeship opportunities in graphic, digital and physical design. Students pair with a professional product designer (often UO instructors or alumni), utilizing the technology available at the 942 Olive building in Downtown Eugene. This 13,000 sq. ft. building features classrooms, studios, digital design lab, plastics lab (with 3D printers, laser cutter, analog shop tools) and exhibition spaces. Students work alongside their mentor to understand the profession of product design, explore specific ways to approach design, and begin creating innovative products of their own. In addition to learning a creative practice, students also explore the business aspects of a creative career, bolstering college and career readiness regardless of their chosen field. The apprenticeship program provides students with intensive, direct learning and supports students in creating a hands-on project that can be presented or demonstrated at the end of the term. The program introduces business aspects of a creative career, and provides students professional training opportunities through workshops and community talks with international designers. Past Product of Eugene mentors have brought experience in wood and metal design, fashion design, graphic design, digital projection, 3D rendering, ceramics and electrical engineering.