Local design studio creating internship opportunities for U of L co-op students

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 22:09:58 +0000

What began with a visiting lecture has turned into a mutually beneficial co-op student internship program that promises to push the boundaries of new media for years to come.

Both Trevor Embury, left, and Anthony Campea want to give back to students through their company aftermodern.lab inc.

aftermodern.lab inc., an award-winning design studio based in Toronto and Lethbridge, has struck a relationship with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and specifically the Co-operative Education and Internships Office. The studio is granting Faculty of Fine Arts students in all majors the opportunity to complete co-op work terms as part of their degree.

“The intention of aftermodern.lab doing something here was really to work with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the new media and fine arts programs, to create a placement opportunity for students,” explains Trevor Embury, who along with Anthony Campea, are the principals and design directors of aftermodern.lab. “In Toronto, we have a really excellent reputation, so we thought that by being here in Lethbridge, we’d offer something a bit more unique in terms of creating a bridge between academic studies and an actual practicing studio.”

In 2014, shortly after establishing a Lethbridge studio, aftermodern.lab funded a scholarship at the U of L, and then began a program where they would offer co-op work opportunities to fine arts students.

A look at some of their award-winning design ideas.

“Both Anthony and I have always wanted to create a space to work with junior designers, to give them more, so they can really experience the industry,” says Embury. “There are so many gaps in a student’s experience. If you only have a portfolio focused on your student work, it’s extremely difficult to find employment in this industry.”

While new media students have always had the chance to complete an internship at the end of their studies, they, and all other fine arts students, are now able to complete four- to 12-month paid internships at any time throughout their studies.

Sam Loewen has already completed a term with aftermodern.lab and is now working part-time at the studio.

“I’ve gained a real breadth of experience because I wasn’t only involved in the fine arts, but also design, business and advertising. Without this experience, I’d be missing that application outside the classroom, and it’s a very different way of learning, a different way of working,” says Loewen, who had the opportunity to work on high profile projects such as an exhibition for the Toronto International Film Festival

aftermodern.lab will take on more students this fall (one per semester, applications through co-op placement programs), and with such positive results already realized, Embury is excited about the relationship that’s been established.

“Both Anthony and I want to teach something, we don’t want to hide it, it’s not a trade secret that’s locked up,” he says. “When we give back to the world, we in turn get it back to our practice, partly through bringing in people like Sam, who gives us so much.”

aftermodern.lab provides opportunity for valuable student experience

trevor.kenney — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17:39:30 +0000

Two years ago, Anthony Campea and Trevor Embury spoke as part of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Art NOW series. They didn’t know it at the time, but that engagement would be pivotal for both the future of their company, aftermodern.lab, as well as U of L students.

Trevor Embury, left, and Anthony campea are the principals and design directors of aftermodern.lab inc.

“I started to think about all of the possibilities here with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge," recalls Embury. "With a new media program that’s gaining momentum and popularity within the Faculty of Fine Arts, I thought there was something we could leverage with our experience — we could be a part of this growing interest in new media.”

aftermodern.lab inc. is an award-winning design studio based in Toronto and Lethbridge. Led by Campea and Embury, principals and design directors, the group has collectively worked in design everywhere from Toronto to Tokyo, partnering with prestigious clients and earning numerous accolades and awards along the way. Even with the plaudits they've received, they remain committed to sharing their knowledge with the next generation of designers.

Not long after their Art NOW talk, plans began for a second aftermodern.lab studio location in Lethbridge. Ten months ago, Embury and his family made the move west; while Campea remained in Toronto to oversee its studio.

“The intention of aftermodern.lab doing something here was really to work with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the new media and fine arts programs, to create a placement opportunity for students," explains Embury. "In Toronto, we have a really excellent reputation, so we thought that by being here, we’d offer something a bit more unique in terms of creating a bridge between academic studies and an actual practicing studio."

It didn’t take long for aftermodern.lab to fund a scholarship at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and begin taking on students, and the timing couldn’t be better. This year is the first year that fine arts students, in all programs, are able to complete co-op work terms as part of their degree. Although new media students have always had the opportunity to complete an internship at the end of their studies, they, and all other fine arts students are now able to complete 4- to 12-month paid internships at any time throughout their studies. Having aftermodern.lab right here in Lethbridge provides a tremendous local opportunity to do just that.

“Both Anthony and I have always wanted to create a space to work with junior designers, to give them more, so they can really experience the industry. There are so many gaps in a student’s experience. If you only have a portfolio focused on your student work, it’s extremely difficult to find employment in this industry,” says Embury.

Sam Loewen, a U of L co-op student who has already completed a term with aftermodern.lab, echoes these thoughts.

“I’ve gained a real breadth of experience because I wasn’t only involved in the fine arts, but also design, business and advertising, to an extent. Without this experience, I’d be missing that application outside the classroom, and it’s a very different way of learning, a different way of working,” says Loewen, who had the opportunity to work on high profile projects such as an exhibition for the Toronto International Film Festival.

Loewen has since completed his term and accepted an ongoing, part-time position with aftermodern.lab while he completes his degree. He explains how he appreciates not only the opportunity to learn, but also to fail.

“There is never any pressure, even though you’re working with real clients. It was never as though if you make a mistake it’s the end of the world," says Loewen. "I’ve never felt I couldn’t tackle something for fear of not succeeding. I know Trevor and/or Anthony are going to walk me through it if I make a mistake, and if I don’t know how to do something, it’s OK to tell them that.”

For Embury, hearing Loewen speak about his experiences affirms aftermodern.lab’s vision.

“I’ve always said I want to create that learning opportunity for my designers because they become better through it, and that comes back to our commitment to education,” says Embury.

With plans to continue taking on students, aftermodern.lab is also offering workshops in partnership with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge this fall.

“Both Anthony and I want to teach something, we don’t want to hide it, it’s not a trade secret that’s locked up," he says. "When we give back to the world, we in turn get it back to our practice, partly through bringing in people like Sam, who gives us so much.”

UNews - Trevor Embury

Local design studio creating internship opportunities for U of L co-op students

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