Chamber's Bixel Exchange and Snap Inc. celebrate Snap Design Academy final showcase

by Center for Innovation & Technology

Bixel Exchange, the Chamber's Center for Innovation & Technology, partnered with Snap Inc. for the final showcase of their second annual Snap Design Academy. The showcase was a celebration of the creativity and accomplishments of the 2019 class, who were inspired by Snapchat's Creative Tools for their final projects. The event featured remarks by Camille Spalding, community relations, Snap Inc., and Lindsey Heisser, director, L.A. Tech Talent Pipeline, Bixel Exchange, and a performance by one of the students, Curly Dynamite. SEE THE PHOTOS.

The Snap Design Academy was a six-week, 120-hour, hands-on design training course for 20 students from Los Angeles area community colleges, which kicked off in July. Participants were tasked with finding creative solutions to challenges facing five local nonprofits: Art + Practice, CodeTalk, Heal the Bay, Safe Place for Youth (S.P.Y.) and A Sense of Home. Each student received a fully funded scholarship to participate in custom, creative workshops, fireside chats and mentorship with Snap employees and L.A. artists. Through the academy, students were able to develop a diverse portfolio of original work, a requirement of job applicants in both the creative and tech industries. The goal of the academy is to create a scalable program that gives low-income youth access to skills and a professional network, so they can enter the creative industry pipeline. LEARN MORE.