Fashion Research Institute - Education

The Fashion Research Institute hosts avatar apparel design internships that are conducted wholly in the immersive workspaces it maintains in OpenSim and Second Life©.

These non-traditional, unpaid internships help interns develop skills for virtual goods development, specifically apparel with a lesser focus on accessories and footwear. The intent of the internship is to assist interns in developing private design practices where they can create and sell their virtual goods.

Interns are provided with classroom space and creation space in FRI’s OpenSim regions, and store front space on the heavily trafficked Shengri La regions in Second Life. Interns are taught to develop virtual apparel using the design methodology created by Fashion Research Institute, which is applicable to both avatar apparel and to their work developing physical apparel.

During the 16-week internship, they are expected to complete 3 outfits, develop an initial label concept, and complete an initial showroom/store design.

Students must provide their own computer, Internet connection, scanner, and image editing program(s) as well as have Second Life and Skype accounts.

At the end of their internships, interns’ work is presented in a virtual fashion runway show, with avatar models that the interns will style from hair to shoes. All interns will complete their internship with Fashion Research Institute with a completed collection of avatar apparel including concept boards to product ads, which may be added to their portfolio. A final presentation of their work will be created. Our Summer 2009 interns’ runway show can be viewed here. Work from our student interns in spring 2010, can be viewed here, and here.

To apply, send your resume with 1-2 fashion images you have sketched or illustrated along with contact information to admin @ fashionresearchinstitute.com.

Requirements:

Interns must provide their own Internet access and computer hardware and software sufficient to allow them access to the Institute’s classroom and facilities in the immersive OpenSim and Second Life regions of Shengri La. Interns must have experience with and access to Photoshop (not provided). Interns must have a Second Life avatar account (available free), and are solely responsible for any fees related to their Second Life account. Interns must also have a Skype account (free) with access to it during training periods.

These are unpaid internships. Some design experience and background is required; these internships are not generally suitable for freshmen. Interns must be matriculated or recent design school graduates. The internships are conducted solely in English. Global participation is welcome, but interns must make accommodation for the Eastern Time zone instruction periods.