This May, as quarantine prevented the Pratt community from connecting at the events that typically enliven our campus around graduation, the Material Lab organized a series of virtual networking conversations, hosted through Zoom.

Replacing The Material Lab’s typical summer studio visits that loosely revolved around designers’ material libraries, this program matched Material Lab employees – Pratt design students from a variety of disciplines – with professionals and alumni, based on their shared interests and fields of study. 

“Maybe the most enriching thing I’ve done in months”

Grateful for an opportunity to share ideas with like-minded folks beyond their immediate quaranteam and houseplants, participants like recent-graduate Jae Wendell (B.I.D. ’20) caught up with Brooklyn ceramicist and lighting designer Joseph Algieri (B.I.D. ’12) over topics from career planning to portfolios. Not surprisingly, the conversations were as rewarding for the mentors as they are for students; Algieri reported back that it was “maybe the most enriching thing I’ve done in months.”

Anna Flinchbaugh (MSILS, M.A., Library Science, History of Art and Design ’21) met with prospect research consultant Alice Winn (MSILS, M.A., Library Science, History of Art and Design ‘13) and compared notes on feminist art collectives before discussing potential internship opportunities.

 Some have even made plans to talk again in the future: Vineet Hingorani (M.S. Architecture ’20) spoke with Carlos Gamez, architectural designer at Foster+Partners, and the two arranged to reconnect for feedback as Hingorani revises his portfolio. “In this strange, largely negative pandemic situation, it’s great to see a glimmer of hope. It’s helped me a lot to put things in perspective” Hingorani said, following his conversation.

While the Material Lab does not have immediate plans to extend the program beyond our current group, until we’re able to meet again in offices, studios, and classrooms, we’re happy to facilitate more “immaterial” connections. Any one interested in participating either as a professional mentor or student is encouraged to get in touch.