SENIOR CREATIVE assistant FELLOWSHIP - fashion, toy, product & architecture design

Overview

Role: Creative Assistant Fellow - Fashion Design, Toy Design, Product Design or Architecture

Location: Los Altos, CA (San Francisco Bay Area)
Eligibility: Rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors

About DesignX

DesignX is a boutique education company in the heart of Silicon Valley, committed to inspiring the next generation of creatives. We guide students ages 7–15 to discover and develop their unique creative voice through specialized programs in fashion, toy, product, and architecture design.

At DesignX, we remain firmly grounded in the timeless power of human ingenuity. We believe that the essence of creativity is rooted in imagination, interpretation, and craft – no matter the technologies. Our programs cultivate lasting capabilities—creativity, discernment, collaboration, and hands-on making—preparing young creatives, and the fellows who guide them, to thrive in a world where tools may evolve, but the human spirit of design endures.

Over the past decade, DesignX has inspired more than 7,000 young creatives across Silicon Valley, equipping them with confidence, design literacy, and capabilities that extend far beyond the classroom.

The Fellowship

The Creative Assistant Fellowship in Fashion Design is conceived as a formative professional experience for emerging designers and educators.

As a fellow, you will be entrusted with assisting the Creative Lead in guiding students through the complete design process—framing problems, fostering discovery, and enabling the creation of tangible products. Along the way, you will refine your creative judgment, strengthen your leadership, and practice mentoring in a fast-paced studio-like setting. 

Fellowship Responsibilities

●      Lead through practice: Mentor and assist students from concept development to finished projects, while advancing your own interpretive and design capabilities.

●      Engage AI with rigor: Use AI thoughtfully as an enabling tool, while developing the discernment to refine and contextualize its outputs.

●      Elevate execution: Focus on framing challenges, coaching young learners, and cultivating critical reasoning in the execution of ideas.

●      Develop leadership acumen: Hone skills in communication and studio management, through direct responsibility for the students and their projects.

●      Grow through mentorship: Work closely with your lead and senior staff, who will challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and invest in your growth.

●      Deliver with distinction: Support the Creative Lead in planning and overseeing six student collections, guiding the production of 80+ projects that culminate in a public showcase.

Candidate Profile

●      Demonstrated proficiency in either sewing tools, wood tools or architectural modeling, with an academic or professional background in related fields. 

●      A commitment to growth—not only as a designer but as a leader, mentor, and critical thinker.

●      Intellectual curiosity and the ability to use AI as a tool while strengthening the uniquely human capabilities that give design its meaning—intentionality, emotional resonance, cultural context, and the craft of making.

●      Enthusiasm for working with young learners, combined with empathy, patience, and the ability to inspire.

●      Reliability, professionalism, and openness to feedback in a collaborative environment.

Fellowship Details

●      Program Dates: June 15 – July 26, 2026

●      Onboarding & Preparation: June 11 – 12, 2026

●      Commitment: Full-time

●      Compensation: Competitive

Application

To include: Cover Letter, Resume, and Portfolio