NEWPORT – A series of workshops aimed at designers and innovators is set to kick off this week in Newport.
Organized by DESIGNxRI and Innovate Newport, the Design Forward RI workshops are a series of interactive business and professional development courses meant for design and innovation-driven small businesses.
Design Forward RI, a program instituted by DESIGNxRI, is a training and leadership skills program funded by Real Jobs Rhode Island. The series includes a mix of strategic design advancement with professional and business development tools.
Instructors are Rhode Island business leaders and designers, many of whom own successful companies and who have taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, Brown University, the University of Rhode Island and Bryant University.
Workshops are free for Rhode Island residents with a design background who are working in or seeking employment in the design sector. Non-Rhode Island residents who work for Rhode Island-based design companies are eligible with employer approval.
Non-Rhode Island residents and non-designers must pay $200 to attend three-hour courses and $350 for six-hour courses.
Workshops are:
- Marketing Your Design Business on Aug. 22, taught by Scott Asadorian, entrepreneurial consultant and URI College of Business lecturer and James Kwon, founder, CEO and lead strategist of Figmints.
- Business Development Strategies on Aug. 26, taught by Sara Ossana, creative director of Sara Ossana Design and founding partner and former co-owner of O&G studio.
- User Experience Design & Prototyping on Aug. 29, taught by Nick Scappaticci, founder and CEO of Tellart.
- Design-Driven Change Management on Aug. 30, taught by Mari Anne Snow, founder and CEO of Sophaya.
- Entrepreneurial Strategies on Sept. 4, taught by Kristine Merz, founder and president of Orange Square.
Courses are held at Innovate Newport. More information can be found at www.designxri.com/programs/dfworkshops.
