DesigntoPrint in Australian association with the Design Institute of Australia developed a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) studio with RMIT, which made way for the useful program. Current design students are eligible to participate in the program, which offers the opportunity to work on projects with actual clients with real life briefs and expand their knowledge and experience in the industry. Students also receive some perks including a contract to license their work and a commission when their design sells.

2015 saw nine students who took part in the program, involving themselves in meetings over five weeks to reach their final print. DesignToPrint’s Managing Director, Gianni Favaro and Mick Kass made themselves available to students for tips and guidance.

“It was a totally invigorating experience to be amongst such enthusiastic and talented young people with a passion to create and who are not afraid to explore their imagination. The creative future is assured as technological advances are made from design to print, pardon the pun, and creative young people such as the ones that Mick and I had the pleasure of working with will continue to have inspiration and the support from institutions such as RMIT” Favaro says.

Claire Beale, Program Manager for the Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design) recognises the significance of this kind of program for the benefit of the next generation of designers.“The DesignToPrint Custom Wallpaper project engages students with the wider market comprising home renovators, decorators and designers, enabling them to bring their highly creative design ideas to a myriad of applications, “ Beale says.

“From the perspective of the program, projects that showcase the skills of textile designers to a broad customer base are a great way to inform the public about just what it is we can do to enhance your life and demonstrate to the design profession the potential for collaboration and innovation in a commercial sector,” she adds.

The aim is for the program to be a continuing part of the curriculum so that students can reap the benefits of their hard work, appreciate the end result and build on their confidence with the use of their own work in large-scale interior projects.

(Source:furnishinginternational)