Remote Studio in Design Research

12 Weeks | Remote Friendly

For independent students and teams within organizations

Build Empathy. Inspire Action.

AC4D’s remote studio provides coaching, education, and support to individual students and teams in the context of real-world design projects.

How does it work?

  1. Apply: An individual or group of up to 3 students completes an application. Apply now.

  2. Get assigned an instructor: Once accepted the student(s) are assigned to an instructor teaching the remote studio.

  3. Get to work! Student(s) complete a 12-week design research project* under the guidance of their coach and using AC4D resources (videos, decks, blogs, example deliverables, etc).

*Students can enroll in the remote studio with a research project in mind, or work with the coach to select a research project.

 

What does a design research and strategy project look like?

Below are excerpts from our resource library providing an overview of design research and what the final output of a design research project looks like.

 
 
 
 
 

Remote Studio Benefits

 

Who is it for?

  • Individuals wanting to grow design research knowledge and skill either to switch careers or sharpen existing skillsets.

  • Organizations wanting guidance and oversight for a qualitative research project while upskilling employees along the way.

What do you get?

Individuals completing the remote studio for a company project, or as a side gig.

  • Expand knowledge & skills through tailored content and rigorous critique from skilled coaches.

  • 3 hours of interaction with your coach per week.

  • Grow your portfolio through a compelling research project, to show future employers what you are capable of.

  • Expand network for future career advice and job opportunities.

Organizations using the remote studio for their internal teams.

  • Build internal knowledge and skills focused on design research and strategy.

  • Ensure the success of qualitative research projects and de-risk any downstream design efforts.

 

What types of research projects will I work on in the Remote Studio?

Individual or teams of students will work with their coach to craft a research focus. Have a project in mind already? We’d love to support it!

 
 

Family Spending & Saving

The S&P 500 is near it’s highest index while there are millions unemployed. While on unemployment, the stimulus has been in excess of wages for minimum wage earners & part-time employees. How are these families spending & saving habits changing, if at all?

Food Service Workers

Covid-19 created a massive wave of unemployment. Many people in food services lost their jobs which will not return until after the disease is abated. Without the technology or infrastructure at home to retool, how are these people finding their next job?

Small Business Owners

Small business owners are having to close their physical shops due to Covid and changing consumer habits. How are they transitioning to online sales or a new career?

 

Paying Rent & Evictions

Coupled with chronic unemployment due to Covid-19, many families have gone months without being able to pay their rent. Stays on evictions are expiring and many families are on the brink of homelessness for the first time. Meanwhile urban development continues to favor high wage earners. How are families planning their next steps in terms of debt, employment, and relocation?

 

Child Nutrition

During the early stages of the outbreak there were widespread reports of crop and dairy destruction due to interruptions in the restaurant industry. Meanwhile in 2018 alone, more than 37 Million people struggled with hunger in the US, including more than 11 Million children. How are children, especially those in food deserts, getting nutrition?

Learning from Home

While families of high-tech employees are keeping their children home from school, many essential workers cannot afford the technology or child care necessary for at-home education. How are these families navigating the choices between risk and making ends meet?

Navigating College

For many college freshmen, this is the first year where being on campus might be a detriment. How are they finding community and support while transitioning to higher education?

This might be the first time in history where taking a gap year is encouraged by high school graduates. For those who have chosen to do so, how are they using their time?

 

Admissions & Key Deadlines

Applications to the Remote Studio are being accepted on a rolling basis.

 
 

How much does it cost?

 

Tuition: $3,000 + $20 Application Fee

We are happy to work with students on alternative payment plans.

 

What dates & deadlines do I need to be aware of for the 2024 Calendar Year?

 

Scheduled Remote Studio program dates are as follows:

  • May  21 - August 9, 2024 - Apply by May 3rd

  • June 18 - September 6, 2024 - Apply by May 24th

  • July 16 - October 4, 2024 - Apply by June 21st

Program dates are added regularly throughout the year.

 
 

Admissions Criteria

To apply, each prospective student will submit:

  1. Statement of Purpose

  2. Resume

  3. (Optional) Artifact samples that showcase the ways you embody our admissions criteria

  4. $20 Admissions Fee

Prospective Students will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  1. Ability to cultivate and communicate a deep understanding of environments and problem spaces in personal, professional, or community contexts.

  2. Interest and experience in creative problem solving for the purposes of positive social impact.

  3. A bias towards action, with the ability to be largely self-directed, managing multiple high-investment projects/commitments concurrently.

  4. The ability to stick with a long-term project or activity despite obstacles, unforeseen circumstances, and setbacks.

  5. A commitment to learning and creating knowledge of self and the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Remote Studio focuses on a single 12-week project with specific activities, milestones, and deliverables.

    Our program takes you through the complete design cycle, from research and ideation to prototyping and testing.

  • Human-centered methods are honed over a lifetime, our remote studio benefits both novice and intermediate experience levels.

  • 10-15 hours per week

  • Learners can either apply to the remote studio with a project in mind or pick one during the first few weeks of the program.

    Teams within organizations can use the remote studio as a resource/guide for completing human-centered research projects for their work on non-profit.

  • We offer a detailed week-by-week breakdown that outlines the activities and deliverables for each week, helping you manage your time effectively.

  • In addition to gaining valuable knowledge and skill, learners who complete the remote studio will receive a certificate of completion and a case study to place in their portfolio.

  • The program equips you with a compelling portfolio piece and practical skills in design research, ideation, and prototyping, making you more marketable in the design field.

  • We do not offer formal job placement services. However, the relationship you develop with your coach can be the foundation of an excellent, personalized recommendation should you apply for design/research positions.

    It’s important to note that in design professions compelling portfolio pieces and case studies are more important than degrees or certificates. Our remote studio will equip you with 1 compelling portfolio piece, but to land your first design-job you will likely need a total of 3-4 case studies in your portfolio. The remote studio equips you with the knowledge and frameworks to begin building out the rest of your portfolio.

  • Learners can expect 2-4 hours of interaction with their instructor per week, which may include feedback sessions, Q&As, and critique.

  • Instructors are identified from our extensive network of design practitioners or apply and go through a vetting process.

  • Right now, we are not formally matching learners. However, if there are multiple solo learners interested in being part of a team, we will make the introduction.

  • Absolutely, teams can use the program as a structured guide for completing human-centered research and design projects.

  • The Remote Studio design research is best suited for projects seeking to answer the following types of questions:

    • Why is an existing product, program, or service not working as well as it could? And how can it be improved?

    • What is the experience of a particular group of people (e.g. homeowners) as it relates to a large complex problem (e.g. gentrification)?

    • We have the capital to invest to try and improve/help a certain group of people, where can this investment have the greatest impact and how do we minimize the risk of harm?

  • At this time, we are only offering scholarships for our one-year program in Interaction Design & Social Entrepreneurship.

    We're open to discussing alternative payment plans to make the program more accessible.

  • No!