YA is our free club for all graduate designers in the Netherlands. In a one-year program, we help you to kick-start your careers by introducing you to the design industry, teach you practical skills, share mutual experiences and form a network that is ready to take to the stage.
Applications for 2019 are now closed
Why YA?
Each year hundreds of designers graduate at Dutch design schools. They all can't wait to kickstart their career. But pretty much all of them have in common that they have no experience with the social and business side of the design field. We guide these young talents with a year program called YA, which stands for Young Alumni. YA offers information, knowledge, skills, a network and a stage so that they can develop themselves into a true professional.
During Dutch Design Week we organize a big exhibition together with the graduates. They are involved in every part of organising the event: from building the exhibition materials, to creating the visual identity and calling the speakers for the Evening Sessions.
YA's year program
YA Congratulate!
We're visiting all the academies to meet the graduates, see their projects and invite them to join YA.
June - July
YA Collaborate!
Together with the Young Alumni we are designing the exhibition and organizing the program for Dutch Design Week.
August - October
YA Present! @ Dutch Design Week
& Dude YA Special!:
Matchmaking and information sessions in a setting that displays the recent graduation projects during Dutch Design Week. Also, a selection of Dudes will select their thirty favourite graduation projects which will be published in Dude Magazine.
October
YA Hello!
Regular meetings throughout the country to discuss the challenges Young Alumni face when they are kickstarting their career.
January - July
Dude YA Special!
For the fifth year in a row Dude Magazine will publish a graduate special. Design graduates, we ask you to submit your graduation project, after which a team of former 'Dudes' will select their favorite 30. These will then be presented in the October issue of Dude Magazine.
Last year's selection committee (2018) consisted of: Chloé Rutzerveld (food design), Sanne Schenk (interior design), Joost Jansen (fashion design), Jeroen Barendse (digital design), Simone Post (product and textile design) and Gijs Kast (illustration).
YA is supported by:
