As education continues to be more and more competitive for young adults, schools are continually developing curriculum that push students to excel beyond what has been done before. And it starts with creativity.
It really brings me great joy to see that high school students now get an introduction to interactive design…
Larissa Montecuollo Introduces Something New to NJ’s Young Adults
Since 2019, Trillion’s Partner and Creative Director has been sharing her expertise in user interface design (UI) and more. Larissa and a team of interactive design professionals, academics, and business leaders who lead careers in what is considered “high-demand jobs of tomorrow” have been developing a one-of-a-kind curriculum for high school students. The program helps expose teens to high-demand and creative careers and is called The Institute for Interactive Design at Northern Valley. Recently, Larissa was interviewed by ROI-NJ about the program’s success.
When the school year started, 42 high school freshmen began learning new skills for high-tech careers in a unique program run by Bergen County Technical Schools. They are being taught a curriculum that Montecuollo had an instrumental role in developing. Learning how to create mobile apps, what’s involved with user interface design, or what it takes to become an augmented reality programmer are topics covered in the program at The Institute for Interactive Design.
Students are Tapping into Creativity
As digital consumption and interactivity flourished during the pandemic, more students have used the scenario as fuel for learning more about a career in tech or digital. The importance of great design and the experience when using a digital product is paramount and has become more obvious for those enrolled in the program.
“It really brings me great joy to see that high school students now get an introduction to interactive design and product development before they even get to college, to know if they want to explore this as a career,” said Montecuollo.
“It was so smart of the school to ask business professionals in this field to look and shape the curriculum. We have seen the syllabus and the track that the students will take, and we’ve had opportunities to provide feedback on whether it is the right order and whether it reflects real-life applications,” Montecuollo continued.
In addition to being on the advisory committee for the program Larissa has presented at the program’s inaugural open house, attended classes to see student work, and most recently presented a lecture on trends in mobile app design and development.
What’s next on the horizon for digital design and user interface design?
Positive experiences using mobile and other digital devices and interfaces are only growing in opportunity for brands and creative talent with the relevant skill sets. “We live and breathe this every day at Trillion and our clients and my team inspire me to continually improve the efficacy of our designs,” she said. “Digital design always evolves and is so impactful when used strategically.”
