Studio School of Design (SSD) celebrates a full range of human cultural expression and identity, and we especially support those who are and have previously been marginalized or excluded from the design professions. We see design as a creative art form and are deeply invested in the potential of telling diverse and inclusive human stories. Our mission is:
- To create an inclusive and multicultural learning environment where designers are engaged in obtaining effective 21st Century forward design storytelling tools facilitated by an experienced and diverse professional faculty.
- To prepare contemporary designers for the broad range of today’s lighting careers.
- To maintain an affordable learning environment that directly addresses both overwhelming school debt and systemic exclusions through scholarships and fairly priced classes.
- To work toward the goal of a diversified community of lighting professionals that reflect the global majority.
- To design a holistic curriculum that merges art and technology, philosophy, practice, and real-world skills into a deep understanding of design and its practical applications.
- To fulfill a community need for lifelong learning that is current with cutting-edge creative skills and technological breakthroughs in an expanding and volatile job market.
SSD is a committed group of professionals coming together to create a learner-centered education in theatrical design. We seek to empower all learners to find their path toward a fulfilling professional career and practice. SSD creates online and in-person learning spaces that welcome everyone through evidence-based, supportive, and experiential teaching methods in our mission to broaden participation in entertainment design to all.
SSD is supported by an accomplished board of directors and an advisory committee of professionals from many areas of entertainment, law, finance, and human resources. Each of these groups models the diverse design profession that we envision.