• 2026 CxD Fellowship Application

  • Color by Design (CxD) is developed by RepresentEd in collaboration with IDEO. CxD is focused on removing traditional boundaries in the field of design to pave avenues for non-traditional professionals to reach their full potential. It’s one of the only programs of its kind focused on serving untapped talent in the design industry.

    Chances are - you’re an aspiring product designer, creative technologist or independent thinker who loves turning ideas into functioning digital experiences. 

    Maybe you learned about interaction design & product development via…

    • Design & Coding bootcamps 
    • Self-directed online learning
    • Participating in nonprofit, social impact, peer learning or community co-design work
    • Digital art or creative work with a focus in web design, motion, or digital art
    • Makerspace or community tech skillbuilding involvement
    • An apprenticeship or associate’s program focused on UX, research, and product design careers

    Through CxD’s 3 month bootcamp and full-time 6-month Fellowship, you will hop onboard IDEO’s world-class project teams as an apprentice, bringing digital products to life for complex and meaningful problem spaces across healthcare, finance, mobility, education, media & technology.

    The application deadline is Wednesday, July 31st, 2026 at 11:59pm PT.  If you would like to learn more about the program through our live webinar, RSVP here for the CxD 2026 Info Session on July 21st at 5pm PST.


    ELIGIBILITY:

    • You are authorized to work in the US and do not require sponsorship to work in the US either now or in the future.
    • You are local (or within commuting distance) to one of the following IDEO offices*:
      • San Francisco (CA)
      • Chicago (IL)
      • Cambridge (MA)
    • Available to participate in the full 9 month fellowship from September 2026 - June 2027.
      • Available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7:30pm (PST) from Mid September - December 2026 to participate in the professional training course.
      • Available for full-time work from January - June 2027.

    *Please note applicants are strongly encouraged to apply only if already located in the aforementioned cities, or with a confirmed plan to be there for the full duration of the program as the program does not offer relocation support or housing assistance.

    WHAT YOU'LL DO:

    • Build prototypes and experimental products that help teams evaluate ideas quickly.
    • Collaborate with staff interaction designers to bring motion, logic, information architecture and UX to life.
    • Support the creation of internal tools, concept explorations, and early product MVPs.
    • Participate in moderating design research and translate user insights into design opportunities.
    • Contribute to multidisciplinary sprints where creativity and technical craft intersect.

     

    QUALIFICATIONS

    We are looking for Fellows who can demonstrate...

    Prototyping: Proficiency in creating tangible prototypes quickly and effectively. Can bring ideas to life physically, visually, and/or digitally by understanding and exercising the value of build-to-think mentality. 

    User-Centricity: Proven ability to focus on user needs and incorporate insights into the design process. Experience building awareness for the perspectives of others, as well as advocating for the end users.

    Creative Problem-Solving: Effectiveness in identifying and addressing design challenges. Ability to generate and visualize unique ideas. Willingness and ability to refine and improve designs based on testing.

    Strong Communication: Can present ideas, learnings and decisions with clarity and rationale. Ability to take concepts and turn them into a story as a way to pitch ideas or build alignment on a team.

    Initiative & Focus: When faced with a new challenge, you are curious and proactive in finding a new path forward. You demonstrate discernment and confidence in your choices. You don’t wait around for the answer to present itself, you design the answer as you go.

     

    SKILLS YOU'RE GROWING (OR EXCITED TO GROW INTO )

    We care less about what you’ve mastered and more about what you’re actively learning. 

    You will almost certainly not have every skill listed below - we’re far more excited to hear about where you’re motivated to grow as an emerging designer!

    Design Fluency & Passion for Human Centered Methods

    • HCD methodology, including inspirational research, sacrificial concepts, synthesis, wireframing, sketching, ideation, visual expression and articulation
    • Excited to engage with real people through high-touch user research to shape a digital product’s next direction

    Prototyping, No-Code / Low-Code Product Stack

    • Collaborating closely with designers & engineers
    • Knowledge of when to stay in no-code vs when to drop into a bit of code for flexibility
    • Building “hybrid prototypes” that combine design tools + with low-code & light engineering
    • Ability to spin up prototypes using Figma, Webflow or similar
    • Ready to jump into generative AI design tools and functionality, such as Figma AI, Adobe Creative Suite other AI visualizers in aid of design, imagery, and communication

    Above and beyond, but not required

    • JavaScript / HTML / TypeScript fundamentals
    • React or another front-end framework (Vue, Svelte, Remix, Next.js)
    • Styling systems (CSS, Tailwind, component libraries)
    • Knitting together APIs, data fetching, or prototyping backends

    If you need support or experience any issues with submitting your application, please email cxd@representedleadership.org.

  • Contact Information

  • Date of Birth*
     - -
  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Is it okay to contact you with updates through text message?*

  • Education Background

  • Are you a current or past:

  • Access & Availability

  • Do you currently have the unrestricted right to work in the United States?
  • Will you ever in the future need sponsorship to work in the United States [September 2026 - June 2027]? (If you are uncertain about your response to this question, please follow up with a member of the Recruiting team if you are contacted about possible next steps.)
  • In order to be eligible for the program, you must complete orientation and training. Please confirm that you are available for orientation and training starting on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026 6-7pm(PST)?*
  • The 3 month bootcamp will consist of seminars occurring twice per week, and will be conducted virtually. Please confirm you have consistent access to a computer and internet connection to virtually conduct work, collaborate on Zoom, and communicate through Messaging Apps?*
  • This year IDEO is hosting CxD fellows in three of their US hubs. Fellows will be expected to work in-person in the office between 3-4 days a week. We will not cover any relocation or moving costs. We ask that you please confirm you will be permanently based in one of these hubs from January - June 2025:*

  • Massachusetts Disclaimer

    It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

  • Resume

    As part of your application for the fellowship, you are required to submit a resume. This submission is a critical component of your application and will be used to assess your qualifications and suitability for the fellowship.
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  • Portfolio or Work Sample

  • Please submit either a work sample or a portfolio that demonstrates your creative problem-solving skills and ability to translate ideas into tangible outcomes. Choose whichever option best showcases your work.

    Option 1: Work Sample
    Submit a project or you have previously completed, along with a brief explanation (approximately 200-300 words) describing the project, your approach to solving problem you were addressing, any creative solutions you implemented, and how you made the idea tangible.

    Option 2: Portfolio
    Submit a curated collection of your professional work (reports, presentations, designs, articles, research papers etc.) that demonstrate your skills, experience, and versatility. Include a diverse range of projects, and make sure your portfolio is well-organized with clear labels and descriptions so reviewers can easily navigate your work.

    Whichever option you choose, your submission should meet the following criteria:

    Previous Work: Your submission should be something you've already completed. This should not require significant additional work as we value your time and your ability in showcasing existing work that effectively represents your skills.

    Relevance: Choose work that best demonstrates your ability to take an idea and make it tangible, whether through prototypes, designs, or other outputs.

    Originality: All submitted work should be your original creation. If created as part of a team, clearly indicate your individual contributions.

    Confidentiality: Ensure your submission does not contain any proprietary or confidential information.

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