The Jen White Johnson Standard Bearer Scholarship for Design Advocacy Excellence is established to support undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a career in design advocacy or, alternatively, to recognize a designer in the field who has dedicated their practice to advocating for vulnerable populations. The scholarship aims to foster the next generation of design advocates who are committed to using design to promote social justice, accessibility, and equity.
By awarding this scholarship, the State of Black Design seeks to elevate those who are dedicated to using design as a tool for advocacy and social impact. The scholarship supports the work of students or professional designers who seek to challenge inequities through design and contribute to making the world a more just and equitable place.
the Jen White Johnson Standard Bearer Scholarship for Design Advocacy Excellence
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The Jen White Johnson Standard Bearer Scholarship for Design Advocacy Excellence is open to two groups of applicants: undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a design or related program, and professional designers who are currently practicing design with a focus on advocacy for vulnerable populations.
STUDENTS
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Students must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in an accredited college or university in a design-related program. Eligible fields include graphic design, visual communication, user experience (UX) design, design research, art education, or any other field where design intersects with social justice and advocacy.
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Applicants should be pursuing degrees in fields that allow them to use design as a form of advocacy. This includes graphic design, visual communication, UX design, public health design, education, and other related disciplines where design is used to support marginalized or vulnerable communities.
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Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 for undergraduate students and 3.5 for graduate students to demonstrate their academic progress and commitment to their studies.
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Applicants must demonstrate a dedication to using design as a tool for advocacy, specifically focusing on uplifting vulnerable or marginalized populations. This can be shown through:
Portfolio: A portfolio of design work that emphasizes advocacy for marginalized communities. The portfolio should highlight projects that have had a meaningful impact on these communities or that challenge societal norms through the lens of design.
Essay: A 500- to 700-word essay reflecting on how Jennifer White Johnson’s work has inspired their own advocacy practice. The essay should discuss the applicant’s vision for how design can be used as a force for justice and their plans for continuing this work in the future.
Community Engagement: Evidence of participation in community-based design projects, volunteer work, or leadership in advocacy initiatives that support marginalized communities.
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Financial need will be considered as an additional criterion for students who have faced economic challenges in pursuing their education.
professional designers
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Professional designers who are actively practicing in the field and have demonstrated a commitment to design advocacy are eligible to apply for this scholarship. These designers should have a proven track record of using design to support marginalized or vulnerable populations.
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The scholarship is open to designers working in any field where design intersects with advocacy and social justice, including graphic design, user experience (UX) design, public health design, visual communication, and design research.vulnerable communities.
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Professional applicants must submit a portfolio that demonstrates their advocacy efforts through design. This portfolio should showcase projects focused on addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, promoting accessibility, or challenging systemic inequities through design.
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Professional applicants must submit a letter of intent outlining how they have used design in their professional career to advocate for vulnerable populations. The letter should detail their vision for continuing this work and the impact they hope to achieve through their ongoing advocacy efforts.
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Professional designers should provide evidence of the impact their work has had on the communities they serve. This could include testimonials from community members, documentation of outcomes from advocacy projects, or leadership roles in design initiatives focused on social justice.
the award will be given to one undergraduate or graduate student and one professional designer. The amount of the scholarship will vary depending on available funds but is intended to cover a significant portion of the recipient’s educational expenses (for students) or provide a stipend for advocacy work (for professional designers).
Through this scholarship, the State of Black Design aims to continue Jennifer White Johnson’s extraordinary legacy by supporting designers who are committed to using their craft for advocacy, accessibility, and social justice.
Recipients of this scholarship will carry forward Jennifer’s vision of design as a force for good, ensuring that the next generation of designers continues to push boundaries and create meaningful change in the world.
Application and Nomination Process
Applicants (both students and professional designers) must submit the following materials:
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A completed application form including personal information, academic background (for students), and professional information (for designers).
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A portfolio of 5-10 pieces of work that demonstrate the applicant’s commitment to design advocacy. The portfolio should include a description of each project, the community or issue addressed, and the impact of the design work.
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Students: A 500- to 700-word essay reflecting on Jennifer White Johnson’s impact on their work and discussing how they plan to continue their advocacy through design.
Professional Designers: A letter of intent outlining their dedication to design advocacy, their vision for future work, and the impact of their design practice on vulnerable populations.
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Students: Two letters of recommendation from faculty members or community leaders who can speak to the applicant’s dedication to design advocacy and their potential for making a positive impact in the field.
Professional Designers: Two letters of recommendation from community leaders, colleagues, or clients who can speak to the applicant’s impact on vulnerable populations through their design work.
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An official transcript showing the applicant’s academic progress and GPA.
Documentation verifying the applicant’s full-time enrollment in a design-related program at an accredited institution.