Apply for the Design Forward Program for 3D Digital Creators and Fashion Entrepreneurs in West Africa

Application Deadline: April 21st, 2022

The DSNFWD is a four-month residency program designed by The Assemblyin collaboration with Ravensbourne Universityfor 3D digital creators, fashion entrepreneurs and university students looking to create innovative digital fashion products and experiences in collaboration with international peers.

DSNFWD is aimed at West African 3D digital creators and fashion entrepreneurs working in garment, textile and accessory design, styling, merchandising and brand management.

The goal of the program is to build the capacity and competitiveness of creators and entrepreneurs in fashion and digital services, showcase cross-cultural design and how African fashion creatives are embracing the versatility of digital design to increase efficiency and decrease waste.

A first of its kind, the digital fashion residency is calling fashion creatives running a commercially viable creative practice or brand, and digital creators who are skilled in the use of design software such as Clo3D, Rhino and Adobe Creative Suite.

The program will set you up with:

• Training support facilitated by a global Faculty of thought leaders and creative industry practitioners
• Access to an international community of innovative creators
• Digital infrastructure for the duration of the program

Selection Criteria

For 3D Digital Creators

Be a national of any country in West Africa

Must be skilled in the use of design software such as Clo3D, Rhino and Adobe Creative Suite.

Must have been in existence for 1-5 years

Must possess experiential knowledge of the African-global fashion market

Must be experienced in developing collaborative work briefs

Must be available to participate in full for the entire duration of the programme (13 weeks)

For Fashion Entrepreneurs

Be a national of any country in West Africa

Must have been operating a fashion business or individual practice for 2-5 years

Must possess experiential knowledge of the African-global fashion market

Must be experienced in developing collaborative work briefs

Must be available to participate in full for the entire duration of the programme (13 weeks)

The program is open to digital creatives and fashion entrepreneurs from any country in West Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo).

Benefits

• Once matched with students from Ravensbourne, resident teams will work collaboratively to an open brief by engaging in in-depth research into each other’s brands and practice. Using the findings of their research, each resident team will develop an independent and innovative digital fashion product, service or experience that involves the use of 3D Techniques, high-tech design and fabrication.
• The program will provide training support and digital infrastructure for resident creatives throughout its duration. Training modules will be facilitated by a global faculty and include NFTs, Partnerships and Collaborations, Creative Direction, Pitching, Pricing, Profitability and Marketing.

As a digital / fashion brand, the programme will provide you the opportunity to:

• Develop your skill in fashion Innovation and collaboration
• Develop confidence when dealing with cross cultural collaborations, approaching open creative briefs and working with creative industry professionals.
• Gain access to a global Faculty of thought leaders and creative industry practitioners dedicated to the growth of your brand
• Grow your network across borders and cultures
• Access to an international community of innovative creators
• Access to digital infrastructure for the duration of the program

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Design Forward Program 2022