Wright House of Fashion launches Iowa’s first graphic design apprenticeship program

Scroll through the list of apprenticeships on Iowa Workforce Development’s website and you’ll find a plethora of opportunities for future plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians and welders, but next to nothing in the creative field.

André Wright is determined to change that.

Mr. Wright, founder of Iowa City-based Wright House of Fashion, a nonprofit organization that inspires and engages youth in collaborative partnerships with the fashion design community, started Iowa’s first and only graphic design apprenticeship through his organization in January.

“We’re the first ones to have this revolutionary idea that graphic design is a trade. Let’s get more people to be in this trade,” he said.

The program began as a desire to contribute to the local workforce and create a program more substantial and dedicated than an internship, while keeping local youth engaged.

“We were looking to do something where we could do professional skill building and create a program that would have some longevity. I think the most important thing for human beings right now — not (only) if you’re going to be an entrepreneur, but just going into the workforce — is to build skills.”

Wright House of Fashion is considered an intermediary apprenticeship program, which means it not only trains apprentices, it also puts them on its payroll, in addition to connecting them with other agencies.

First apprentice

Kirkwood Community College freshman and business major Wisdom Konu was drawn to the apprenticeship program for the way it complemented his other studies.

“I definitely think that alongside my studies at school, this apprenticeship program has given me more experience, which I can then put on my resume,” he said. “I’m learning outside of school as well. So I would say that I’m learning more skills that other people may not be learning right now.”

His ultimate dream is to become a professional model after graduation, but admits it’s a highly competitive industry. However, the skills learned in the apprenticeship program will still give him career opportunities in the creative field.

“I can definitely find a job after this,” he said.

Training incorporates tangible and intangible skills

The only criteria for becoming a graphic design apprentice with Wright House of Fashion is to have a passion for art and design, Mr. Wright said.

Apprentices are introduced to color theory, website design, magazine layout, digital illustration, apparel design, branding and marketing, in addition to design software like Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. 

Learning the elements of design and software isn’t the only thing apprentices learn, however.

“We teach them how to dress. We have mock interviews. We help them create their portfolio,” Mr. Wright said. “Teaching somebody how to interview is a big thing — how to shake their hand, all those intangible things, and I think those are essential skills when we’re going into the workforce. So we’re trying to get them ready before they even step foot in that organization.”

To graduate, apprentices must complete 3,000 hours of coursework through Penn Foster, a nationally accredited online school, as well as 300 training hours — but work for hire isn’t limited to after graduation. Businesses needing design services can hire an apprentice while they’re immersed in the program.

Potential clients can find an onboarding form on the Wright House of Fashion’s website, which walks them through a series of questions to better understand their graphic design needs.

“Once we get that feedback, then we will reach out to you right away and say, ‘hey, look, what are you looking for?’ And do more of a distilled-down interview, just to kind of understand what you need. And then we pass the job over to Wisdom once we feel confident about the relationship,” Mr. Wright said.

Mr. Konu has designed coffee bags, created fliers and social media graphics. Throughout the process, he’s working on finding his own creative style.

“I am influenced by a lot of art and music,” he said.

Cool like Caitlin

Mr. Wright hopes the new graphic design apprenticeship program will unlock new opportunities for creatives seeking to use their skills in the workforce.

“I hope we get thousands of people that are inspired, just like they are about Caitlin Clark shooting basketballs in the hoop,” he said. As a high schooler, being artistic wasn’t considered as “cool” as being an athlete, he added, but he’s seeing the tide turn.

“Now, if you do creative stuff, you’re really, really cool,” he said. “I just want to pour more gasoline on that idea and get more people inspired to unlock their creative talents, and so I think that’s what our organization’s mission is as a focus, is to be able to unlock those hidden talents of creatives.”

To learn more about the apprenticeship program, visit wrightfashionhouse.com/whprograms