Summer CoDesign Student Challenge
in Partnership with Excel Dryer

Empowering Young Creatives to Reshape the Built Environment Through Design and Innovation

CoDesign Collaborative is inviting 12 motivated high school students in the Greater Boston area to participate in the Summer CoDesign Student Challenge in partnership with Excel Dryer, the industry leader behind the original, high-speed, energy-efficient XLERATOR^®Hand Dryer. This program provides young people with hands-on design experience in partnership with leading brands, industry professionals, and real-world clients. Students are compensated for their time, in line with CoDesign Collaborative’s commitment to equity.

Program Overview & Objectives
Alfred Byun, Design Director at Gensler, will lead students through a two-part, hands-on design workshop, held on August 8 and 15, where students will prototype, design, and realize creative concepts as vinyl wraps for Excel’s Hand Dryers. Over the course of the two-week studio program, students will be introduced to essential practices in product design, visual storytelling, and prototyping. They will:

• Learn the fundamentals of inclusive, sustainable, and user-centered design
• Explore key product design concepts—such as form, function, branding, and user interaction
• Engage in hands-on prototyping, using both analog and digital tools to test and refine their ideas
• Practice translating 2D concepts into 3D product applications, considering scale, placement, and material constraints
• Iterate on their designs through sketching, mockups, feedback loops, and final presentation
• Receive guidance in a final critique from professional designers and Excel Dryer’s creative team

Program Outcomes
The workshops will culminate with a student presentation of their designs to a team of designers from the Excel Dryer team, allowing students to practice public presentation and “pitch” skills. The Excel Dryer panel will give constructive feedback and select a series of “winning designs” for special recognition. All final wrap designs will be professionally printed and installed on Excel Dryers in select public locations—turning student work into real-world interventions and providing ‘future designers’ with the opportunity to see their ideas in fabrication. Student participants will leave with a completed design portfolio piece and a deeper understanding of how thoughtful product design and prototyping shape public experiences.

Time Commitment
Students are required to participate in two, four-hour long workshops, from 10am-2pm ET on August 8 and 15. Lunch will be provided.

Student Compensation
The program will accept twelve students, each awarded $200 each at the end of the challenge.

Location
Boston, Massachusetts (Location is walking distance from the North Station MBTA.)

Eligibility
The CoDesign Student Challenge program is open to current high school students in the Greater Boston Area. Applicants must show an interest in design/creativity but do not need a background in design. Creative skills are encouraged but we also encourage interdisciplinary skills in STEAM. CoDesign Collaborative is committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. We especially encourage women, Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities to apply.

Selection Criteria:
Motivated, self-directed, and passionate individuals who are driven to better their communities.