We recently wrapped the Fall 2024 edition of Sandbox U, our mentorship program designed for early-career creatives. This year, 15 mentees dove headfirst into concept briefs and projects, job interview prep, portfolio reviews, and workshops to help them navigate breaking into the creative industry.
Custom programming for emerging creatives
The curriculum for Sandbox U is tailored to each mentee, with topics and lessons designed specifically for and alongside the mentees based on their individual interests. Workshops like “Kickstarting Your Creative Career” and “Thriving, Not Just Surviving” were invaluable for mentees, offering first-hand insights from Hook mentors on their experiences navigating careers in the creative industry. As one mentee noted, “The mentors and panelists gave insightful and unique perspectives regarding their personal journeys when navigating their professional creative careers. It offered me perspectives I hadn't yet considered about my own progression which calmed a lot of my anxieties.”
Individualized curriculums covered topics like marketing and production know-how, tackling creative challenges through constant experimentation, and understanding creative manifestos. During this cohort, many mentees were interested in graphic design and motion/animation. With the guidance of their Hook mentors, here’s a glimpse at what some of our mentees were able to create:
Nana Nyarko, Animator and Illustrator
I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in a program that is so loving and inclusive. It is very inspiring for growing artists who are working to grow their voice and career!”
Bryn Bell, Illustrator
With this program, you are curating new work and developing skills to grow together. There is a lot of transparency and honesty when talking about industry-related topics which feels safe and supportive.”
Amanda Ray, Illustrator, Graphic and Motion Designer
I learned so much from my mentor! One of my biggest lessons was the significance of being thorough. The more specific and detail-oriented I was, the more competent I felt in my skills, and that competence translated to more professional work”
L: Hayley Anderson, Illustrator and Graphic Designer. R: Kasia Herh, Multidisciplinary Designer
My mentor emphasized that the process of trying new things, even if it doesn’t lead to immediate success, is invaluable for growth and discovery. This mindset has inspired me to approach challenges with curiosity and confidence, something I’ll carry forward in my work and future projects.”
We are incredibly proud of the work produced by our Fall 2024 Sandbox U mentees. Their dedication, creativity, and growth throughout the program have been inspiring to witness, and we look forward to seeing what they’ll do next!
See more work from our mentees in their portfolios here: