Amy's Dream Job Cover Letter (A MESS)

Final cover letter submitted today. Thank you for your feedback, writing women -- it was vital. Please send good mojo! 



Dear ___________,

Re: Director of Design Thought Leadership role

 

I am familiar with your organization through my work as a board member of the Center for Design Institute where we advance the brilliant legacy of industrial design pioneer, Sara Little Turnbull. My last in-person cultural experience, a little over a year ago in Portland, was attending your impressive “Design is Everywhere” exhibit which included Sara. Afterwards, I got on a plane at PDX and returned to NYC and the world shut down.


Attached, please find my materials in response to your listing for the above position at Design Museum Everywhere. I offer a unique background that is remarkably aligned with your search for this non-traditional role of design vision and community engagement.

 

As you seek an experienced and passionate community manager-meets-facilitator-meets-distinguished-design-thinker, I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Amy Chen, a devoted-community-minded-meets-people-connector-meets-meets-lifelong-design-advcate. Nice to meet you!

 



/\/\/\/\/\/




Philosophy

Fundamental right to self determined sense of place. Design is how we respond to that basic human need.

DESIGN (embedded in my retina because it is essential to how I view the world) It’s my way of life.

3 years old story?

“Design is collaborative.”

INCLUSIVE -- Gender, race, culture, socio-economic status, size, abilities, and AGE! (Cradle to grave -- those markers that describe our life span in this physical world are, themselves, products of design!)


Experience

Combination of perspectives that can’t be contained to a single category. It is a challenge and an opportunity.

Design (career, board work)

Business (KidDesign, 

Community Activism (public school, Solidarity Sunday, GSD, volunteering)

Ability to see opportunity/inspire/follow-through action


Qualities

Can do! Cheerleader/self-starter/dependable,collaborative and independent

Adept at managing many moving parts. Making seemingly disparate connections that lead to lasting change




Song Pairing

https://youtu.be/naepLOagIoQ



Seeking:


“We seek an experienced and passionate community manager-meets-facilitator-meets-distinguished-design-thinker”


I am a devoted-people -connector-meets-coach-and-cheerleader-meets-lifelong-design-advocate.

I walk that walk.


  • Lead the process to build out and recruit for our Think Tanks, groups of thought leaders who advise the museum and generate programming and content across our 12 Impact Areas: Vibrant Cities, Workplace Innovation, Education, Play, Data Visualization, Business, Social Impact, Sustainability, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship, Diversity, and Civic Innovation

I am equal parts Gertrude Stein and Edna Mode. (Brought to life -- design class (distinguished guest participants included groundbreaking industrial designer SLT to the Boeing President/CEO who spearheaded the innovative 777 design process; public school mender; Solidarity Sundays (child welfare) )

 

 

  • Channel and facilitate the funnel of ideas to programs in Design Museum, including:

    • Design is Everywhere Podcast

    • Design Museum Magazine

    • Exhibitions

    • And other content opportunities

Bursting with ideas (ex. How can Design revolutionize our failing Foster Care system? Design and Democracy -- from protest signs to election integrity)

  • Identify, reach out, engage, and maintain relationships with individuals and organizations that believe in the power of design to transform

I digest the news and keep a running folder of change makers who use the power of design; design angles in social issues and current events.

 

  • Co-create and contribute with our internal exhibitions team on exhibition research and development, including our forthcoming permanent exhibition on design impact

  • Produce thought leadership gatherings and events in collaboration with Think Tank members — mostly virtual

  • Design and manage all elements of the Design Museum Summit, a yearly design convening with talks, workshops, demonstrations covering all 12 Design Impact Areas

  • Develop and manage a future Design Museum’s Awards program

Already bestow “The Amy” on an as-needed basis for prize worthy design ranging from “excellence to what-were-you-thinking?!” 

In keeping with our mutual mission of educating the public -- I am committed to bringing attention to those who understand the power of design. We are better when we bring attention to those who elevate circumstances with empathy, inclusion, creativity, and sustainability -- whether they are design professionals or “civilians.”

Outcome of educating the public on design is encouraging a meeting of all the minds and collaborating to make the world a better place. Expect more from the tools, environments, and systems we use to navigate our world.

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