VERANDA, along with the other brands that comprise Hearst's Luxury & Design Collection—Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and Town & Country—are bringing the future of design to enthusiasts, students, and seasoned professionals alike through a one-of-a-kind, new virtual experience, Design U. Starting May 5, the digital platform launch will feature a virtual master class from each of the aforementioned brands in partnership with design-centric universities and a diverse group of leading design experts from across the country. Additionally, Design U. will serve as a platform to participate in special events and networking sessions and will offer opportunities for students to discover exclusive internships and exciting new job opportunities.
The mission behind Design U. is to empower and inspire the next generation (and beyond) of diverse, rising design talent with access to the education, innovation, and leading experts they need to succeed. VERANDA's inaugural master class, "How Nature Can Save Your Life," will highlight a partnership with the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and leading industry members Khoi Vo, Scott Shrader, and Wambui Ippolito, among others, who worked with promising students earlier this spring to reimagine outdoor living as we know it through visionary outdoor room designs. Vo, Shrader, and Ippolito will be discussing the importance of nature and the vital role it plays in our lives in a panel moderated by VERANDA's Editor-in-Chief Steele Marcoux that will go live on our brand's Design U. page on May 5 at 12 p.m. EDT. You can also view the outdoor living designs from the chosen SCAD students and their visions behind these spaces on the VERANDA Design U. page.
We also encourage you to tune in to the exciting master classes from Hearst's Luxury & Design Collection. Elle Decor is partnering with Parsons School of Design to present "How to Start Your Design Career & Build a Business," Town & Country is partnering with University of Southern California-Roski to present "Design is Everywhere: Exploring the impact of design across all categories from interiors to product," and House Beautiful is partnering with Taubman College at the University of Michigan to present "Designing for a Better World: How Our Surroundings Impact Us." These classes will feature exciting talent such as Bobby Berk, Malene Barnett, Jeremiah Brent, and others.
Design U. is a partnership with not only the various brands in the Hearst Luxury & Design Collection, but also with other leading brands in the design industry. Our generous sponsors include Caesarstone, Design Within Reach, Kohler, Longaberger, and Obakki.
