Our Crowdfunding Groups
My name is Mae Murphy. I’m a third-year architecture student in the College of Design. I would like to tell you about an experience that shaped my college career and with your support could greatly impact the educational experience of current and future students. Your support of the Wearables Design Show would allow this one of a kind student initiative to truly become a self-sustaining educational adventure.
One of the historic roles of the designer is to bridge communities together and enrich their experiences. Upon entering the College of Design, all first-year students participate in the CORE program. This year-long program exposes blossoming designers to the foundations of design through various courses. Last year one new and unique project amplified the entire CORE experience through an interactive and immersive showcase called the Wearables Design Show. This show allowed students to create, wear and perform their wearable design projects on a runway surrounded by peers, faculty, family, professional designers and high-level university administrators. This celebration of work began the annual tradition of the Wearables Design Show. To gain a better understanding of the show, I invite you to view last year’s recorded experience: bit.ly/WDshow19
Having just completed my CORE experience and in my second year I knew I could not have a wearable design in the show; however, I knew this was a project I definitely wanted to be a part of. I became a Peer Mentor for the class. A Peer Mentor is an upper-class student who helps those in the CORE program navigate and understand the requirements of a design student. As the show drew closer and the energy surrounding the creation of the wearables grew, I knew I wanted a more significant role in this experience so I became the Wearables Design Show Stage Manager.
Being Stage Manager taught me valuable lessons including leadership, organization, time management, and budgeting. Though the idea of stage managing was at first daunting, I learned how to delegate roles, manage schedules and create an organization system to manage the flow of over two hundred show participants. I take great pride in how I coached and prepared students for the runway experience. Having a central role in producing an exceptional show for students and hundreds of spectators is something I will always remember about my design education.
When I look to the future, I am proud my fellow students will be exposed to this creative experience. In fact, the experience of the Wearables Design Show lead me and a group of passionate students to create the Wearables Design Team, a student organization formed to plan and curate the annual Wearables Design Show, in which I currently serve as President. I am invested in this educational experience because I know firsthand the positive impact of the Wearables Design Show.
As a creative perfectionist I know we can achieve great things within the Wearables Design Show but with tight budget constraints and limited resources, our show is hindered from reaching its full potential. With financial support we could truly see our creative vision explored in depth. As designers, we are passionate about all aspects of the user experience. With increased funds, we would be able to purchase tiered seating to allow more people access to the immersive and interactive show. We would be able to focus on innovative lighting to highlight the unique and individualistic style of each wearable. Additionally, we would be able to design and create a stage and runway that would truly allow the Wearables Design Show to reflect the creativity and passion of its students. Your contribution will provide current and future students the opportunity to develop and contribute to their design education.
The impact of your generous gift will be a ripple effect that continues to grow year after year. I invite you to be a part of the greater vision that exposes students to creative ways of thinking, cross-disciplinary approaches and the power of performance. This year the Wearables Design Show will take place Wednesday, April 8. I look forward to leading a team of my peers to successfully execute our vision and express the creativity of College of Design students.
To additionally express my passion surrounding the Wearables Design Show, I invite you to watch this short video expressing how your support would impact the future of the show: bit.ly/SupportWDS
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Your gift is appreciated! As a thank you, you will receive a WDS sticker and handwritten thank you from a show participant.
Thank you for supporting first-year designers! As a thank you, you will receive a WDS sticker and handwritten thank you from a show participant + a limited edition WDS button.
Your contribution is greatly appreciated! As a thank you, you will receive a WDS sticker and handwritten thank you from a show participant + a limited edition WDS button + your name on the WDS website.
Thank you for believing in our talent. As a thank you, you will receive a WDS sticker and handwritten thank you from a show participant + a limited edition WDS button + your name on the WDS website + a signed commemorative photograph of the night.
Your generosity will greatly impact future designers. As a thank you, we would like you to watch the show from the comfort of your own 2 seats! You will also receive a WDS sticker and handwritten thank you from a show participant + a limited edition WDS button + your name on the WDS website + a signed commemorative photograph of the night + 2 guaranteed seats to the show and access to the exclusive After Show Experience.
Your gift is so impactful! As a thank you, we would like you to watch the show from the comfort of the SECOND ROW. You will also receive a WDS sticker and handwritten thank you from a show participant + a limited edition WDS button + your name on the WDS website + a signed commemorative photograph of the night + 2 guaranteed SECOND ROW seats to the show and access to the exclusive After Show Experience
Your vibrant gift will shine as bright as the Wearable designs. As a thank you, we would like you to watch the show from the comfort of the FIRST ROW. You will also receive a WDS sticker and handwritten thank you from a show participant + a limited edition WDS button + your name on the WDS website + a signed commemorative photograph of the night + 2 guaranteed FRONT ROW seats to the show and access to the exclusive After Show Experience
Your generous support allows students to achieve a wide spectrum of their dreams! As a thank you, we would like you to participate in the show as a JUDGE! You will also receive a WDS sticker and handwritten thank you from a show participant + a limited edition WDS button + your name on the WDS website + a signed commemorative photograph of the night + 2 guaranteed FIRST ROW seats to the show and access to the exclusive After Show Experience + be a WDS Judge.