Third Annual Celebration of Design a Success

November 24, 2025

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the Sasaki Foundation hosted our second annual Celebration of Design at 110 Chauncy in Downtown Boston. The event saw 100+ attendees and raised $28,000+ to support our mission of equity in design. Thanks to your generosity, we funded a Design Grant, 6 Design Grants finalist honorariums, a public event, 14 DESI youth interns for a semester, and 26 SEED students for a week.

Read More

Future of Collaborative Design Symposium a Success

October 20, 2025

On Friday, October 3, 2025, the Hideo Sasaki Foundation hosted the Future of Collaborative Design Symposium at Sasaki’s Boston office, with a pre-convening at the Harvard Graduate School of Design the Tuesday evening prior. Thank you to the 250+ individuals who joined us in exploring Hideo Sasaki’s enduring legacy of radical collaboration in design across both days. We are grateful to all our speakers and panelists for their insights and to our attendees for engaging in these important conversations about the past, present, and future of collaborative practice.

Read More

Second Annual Celebration of Design a Success

November 18, 2024

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the Sasaki Foundation hosted our second annual Celebration of Design at 110 Chauncy in Downtown Boston. The event saw 100+ attendees and raised $28,000+ to support our mission of equity in design. Thanks to your generosity, we funded a Design Grant, 6 Design Grants finalist honorariums, a public event, 14 DESI youth interns for a semester, and 26 SEED students for a week.

Read More

First Annual Celebration of Design a Success

November 21, 2023

On Thursday, November 16, 2023, the Sasaki Foundation hosted our first annual Celebration of Design at 110 Chauncy in Downtown Boston. The event saw 130+ attendees and raised $24,000 to support our mission of equity in design. That’s enough to fund a Design Grants Action Grant, a public speaker panel, and 11 SEED students for a week!

Read More

Reflection: Feminist Practices in Design and Data

August 20, 2021

In spring 2021, the Sasaki Foundation hosted a panel discussion titled Feminist Practices in Design and Data, with Lori Brown, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Professor at Syracuse University and Co-Founder at ArchiteXX; Danielle Wood, Assistant Professor in the Program in Media Arts and Sciences and the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT; Katlyn Turner, Research Scientist at MIT Media Lab; and Catherine D’Ignazio, Director of the Data and Feminism Lab and Assistant Professor of Urban Science and Planning at MIT. The discussion was moderated by Sasaki senior planner Elaine Limmer.

Read More

Sasaki Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Celebrates Diversity and Equity

December 10, 2020

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Sasaki Foundation, we hosted a virtual event on October 22, sponsored by Landscape Forms, with Chief Karilyn Crockett, Chief of Equity for the City of Boston, and Mary Anne Ocampo, Sasaki Foundation board chair and principal at Sasaki.

Read More

WP_Query Object
(
    [query] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => Array
                (
                    [0] => post
                )

            [post_status] => Array
                (
                    [0] => publish
                )

            [posts_per_page] => 1
        )

    [query_vars] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => Array
                (
                    [0] => post
                )

            [post_status] => Array
                (
                    [0] => publish
                )

            [posts_per_page] => 1
            [error] => 
            [m] => 
            [p] => 0
            [post_parent] => 
            [subpost] => 
            [subpost_id] => 
            [attachment] => 
            [attachment_id] => 0
            [name] => 
            [pagename] => 
            [page_id] => 0
            [second] => 
            [minute] => 
            [hour] => 
            [day] => 0
            [monthnum] => 0
            [year] => 0
            [w] => 0
            [category_name] => 
            [tag] => 
            [cat] => 
            [tag_id] => 
            [author] => 
            [author_name] => 
            [feed] => 
            [tb] => 
            [paged] => 0
            [meta_key] => 
            [meta_value] => 
            [preview] => 
            [s] => 
            [sentence] => 
            [title] => 
            [fields] => 
            [menu_order] => 
            [embed] => 
            [category__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_name__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [search_columns] => Array
                (
                )

            [ignore_sticky_posts] => 
            [suppress_filters] => 
            [cache_results] => 1
            [update_post_term_cache] => 1
            [update_menu_item_cache] => 
            [lazy_load_term_meta] => 1
            [update_post_meta_cache] => 1
            [nopaging] => 
            [comments_per_page] => 50
            [no_found_rows] => 
            [order] => DESC
        )

    [tax_query] => WP_Tax_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => AND
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [queried_terms] => Array
                (
                )

            [primary_table] => wp_posts
            [primary_id_column] => ID
        )

    [meta_query] => WP_Meta_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => 
            [meta_table] => 
            [meta_id_column] => 
            [primary_table] => 
            [primary_id_column] => 
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [clauses:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [has_or_relation:protected] => 
        )

    [date_query] => 
    [request] => SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS  wp_posts.ID
					 FROM wp_posts 
					 WHERE 1=1  AND wp_posts.post_type = 'post' AND ((wp_posts.post_status = 'publish'))
					 
					 ORDER BY wp_posts.post_date DESC
					 LIMIT 0, 1
    [posts] => Array
        (
            [0] => WP_Post Object
                (
                    [ID] => 237069
                    [post_author] => 2
                    [post_date] => 2025-12-08 14:17:51
                    [post_date_gmt] => 2025-12-08 19:17:51
                    [post_content] => [et_pb_section fb_built="1" module_class="mongo-image" _builder_version="4.27.0" background_image="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6689_blogheader.jpg" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" module_class="mongo-image-with-text" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Header small text" module_class="slide-big" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]December 5, 2025
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Header big text" module_class="slide-white slide-massive-2 " _builder_version="4.27.0" custom_css_main_element="font-size:6vw;||line-height:6.2vw;" global_colors_info="{}"]Hideo Sasaki Foundation Releases 2025 Design Education Snapshot
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built="1" admin_label="Board of Trustees" module_class="padding-top-0" _builder_version="4.27.0" background_image="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/blog-background.png" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_margin="50px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Post Date" module_class="post-date" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font="|600|||||||" text_text_color="#d59999" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" custom_margin="||20px|" text_font_size_last_edited="off|" global_colors_info="{}"]December 5, 2025
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Post Title" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font="|700|||||||" text_font_size="40px" text_line_height="48px" custom_margin="||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"]Hideo Sasaki Foundation Releases 2025 Design Education Snapshot
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Author" module_class="post-date" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font="|600|||||||" text_text_color="#d59999" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" custom_margin="||20px|" text_font_size_last_edited="off|" global_colors_info="{}"]Folajimi Bademosi
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class="body-text" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]
The phrase the power of design belongs to all of us is central to the Hideo Sasaki Foundation's ethos. We believe every individual and community should have the power to shape the built environment around them. Our design education programs are paid internships that exist to educate young people, from diverse backgrounds and identities, about the power they have to shape their world. We amplify their voices and support them on their journey from curious student to design professional.

Designing Environmental and Social Impact (DESI) is a 17-week paid internship that engages high school students from the Greater Boston area in researching and developing solutions to environmental and social issues in their communities.
Summer Exploratory Experience in Design (SEED) is a 6-week paid internship that provides a design education opportunity for youth interested in exploring and pursuing careers in design.

Our goal is for students to emerge from these experiences with a deeper understanding of design and the career opportunities in the industry. The ultimate hope is for our interns to eventually pursue careers in design and related fields. Both DESI and SEED are continually expanding, providing more high school students with quality design education, introducing them to diverse design careers, and supporting their professional development.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_8,1_2" module_class="sasaki-half-image-content-box" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="50px||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" module_class="order-1" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_8" module_class="order-3" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Question 1" module_class="sasaki-post-content body-text" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font_size="20px" text_line_height="24px" header_3_font="|700|||||||" header_3_font_size="40px" global_colors_info="{}"]
2025 by the Numbers
 

We engaged 116 design education participants, including interns, teaching assistants, project advisors, mentors, and clients.
Our programs provided 353 paid internship hours per intern (8,938 hours in total), with a combination of high-quality design education, industry exploration, and professional development.
Our programs saw a 91% cumulative attendance rate.
Of the surveyed interns, 95% reported having a positive overall experience.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="right-col-padding-left-only order-2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Participants_cropped.png" title_text="Participants_cropped" align_tablet="center" align_phone="" align_last_edited="on|desktop" admin_label="photo" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" module_class="sasaki-half-image-content-box" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="50px||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="order-1" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interns-Gender-Race.png" title_text="Interns Gender & Race" align_tablet="center" align_phone="" align_last_edited="on|desktop" admin_label="photo" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="right-col-padding order-2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Question 3" module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]
2025 in Demographics
 

Our interns were from 19 neighborhoods in Boston and the Metro North region.
Our interns represented 21 high schools, with 11% in 9th grade, 33% in 10th grade, 32% in 11th grade, and 25% in 12th grade.
Our interns were a roughly equal mix of first-time participants and returning students.
98% of our interns identify as people of color, and 63% of interns identify as female; these metrics are the inverse of the design industry’s current population.
We strive to support young people from underrepresented groups in gaining access to design education and influencing design decisions that affect their communities.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_8,1_2" module_class="sasaki-half-image-content-box" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="50px||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" module_class="order-1" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_8" module_class="order-3" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Question 1" module_class="sasaki-post-content body-text" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font_size="20px" text_line_height="24px" header_3_font="|700|||||||" header_3_font_size="40px" global_colors_info="{}"]
2025 in Impact
57 Greater Boston high school students from diverse backgrounds accessed a design education and career exploration internship.

90% of interns gained a deeper understanding of the design process.
83% of interns improved their technical skills through design software workshops.
94% of interns surveyed reported that our programs were great professional and workforce development experiences.
78% of interns surveyed reported interest in pursuing a career in the design industry.

38 volunteer design professionals gained both professional and personal fulfillment.
6 nonprofit, community, and civic organizations received design support that expanded their capacity and advanced their missions. 
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="right-col-padding-left-only order-2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FOCL-Final.jpg" title_text="FOCL Final" align_tablet="center" align_phone="" align_last_edited="on|desktop" admin_label="photo" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label="Caption1" module_class="caption-1 margin-top-50" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]
2025 SEED 3 graphic for Friends of the Chinatown Library (FOCL)
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Caption2" module_class="caption-2" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]
SEED 3 interns Elfe, Sam, and Kathleen
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_margin="50px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="body-text" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]
This year, our design education programs continued to build equity in design, pushing towards a more representative industry. We gave more high school students from diverse backgrounds access to paid internships and design education. We supported these students with continuous and progressive engagement with design in college. We provided undergraduate and graduate college students the opportunity to gain and practice industry-relevant skills. And we supported the work of local community-serving organizations.
With even more support, we can continue to strengthen the design workforce pipeline by amplifying the voices of young designers from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and communities, and helping them harness the power of design to positively shape both the present and the future.
Read more in our 2025 Design Education Snapshot, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date in 2026.
 
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version="4.27.0" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]
[/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" use_background_color_gradient="on" background_image="http://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/previous-post.png" custom_padding="100px||100px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="PREVIOUS POST" _builder_version="4.16" text_font="|600|||||||" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" global_colors_info="{}"]PREVIOUS POST[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Previous Post Link" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font="|700|||||||" text_font_size="40px" text_line_height="48px" custom_margin="50px|||" global_colors_info="{}"]Third Annual Celebration of Design a Success
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
                    [post_title] => Hideo Sasaki Foundation Releases 2025 Design Education Snapshot
                    [post_excerpt] => The phrase the power of design belongs to all of us is central to the Hideo Sasaki Foundation's ethos. We believe every individual and community should have the power to shape the built environment around them. Our design education programs are paid internships that exist to educate young people, from diverse backgrounds and identities, about the power they have to shape their world. We amplify their voices and support them on their journey from curious student to design professional.
                    [post_status] => publish
                    [comment_status] => open
                    [ping_status] => open
                    [post_password] => 
                    [post_name] => hideo-sasaki-foundation-releases-2025-design-education-snapshot
                    [to_ping] => 
                    [pinged] => 
                    [post_modified] => 2025-12-09 14:26:48
                    [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-12-09 19:26:48
                    [post_content_filtered] => 
                    [post_parent] => 0
                    [guid] => https://www.sasakifoundation.org/?p=237069
                    [menu_order] => 0
                    [post_type] => post
                    [post_mime_type] => 
                    [comment_count] => 0
                    [filter] => raw
                )

        )

    [post_count] => 1
    [current_post] => -1
    [before_loop] => 
    [in_the_loop] => 
    [post] => WP_Post Object
        (
            [ID] => 237069
            [post_author] => 2
            [post_date] => 2025-12-08 14:17:51
            [post_date_gmt] => 2025-12-08 19:17:51
            [post_content] => [et_pb_section fb_built="1" module_class="mongo-image" _builder_version="4.27.0" background_image="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/IMG_6689_blogheader.jpg" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" module_class="mongo-image-with-text" _builder_version="4.16" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" background_repeat="repeat" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Header small text" module_class="slide-big" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]December 5, 2025
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Header big text" module_class="slide-white slide-massive-2 " _builder_version="4.27.0" custom_css_main_element="font-size:6vw;||line-height:6.2vw;" global_colors_info="{}"]Hideo Sasaki Foundation Releases 2025 Design Education Snapshot
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built="1" admin_label="Board of Trustees" module_class="padding-top-0" _builder_version="4.27.0" background_image="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/blog-background.png" background_size="initial" background_position="top_left" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_margin="50px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Post Date" module_class="post-date" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font="|600|||||||" text_text_color="#d59999" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" custom_margin="||20px|" text_font_size_last_edited="off|" global_colors_info="{}"]December 5, 2025
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Post Title" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font="|700|||||||" text_font_size="40px" text_line_height="48px" custom_margin="||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"]Hideo Sasaki Foundation Releases 2025 Design Education Snapshot
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Author" module_class="post-date" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font="|600|||||||" text_text_color="#d59999" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" custom_margin="||20px|" text_font_size_last_edited="off|" global_colors_info="{}"]Folajimi Bademosi
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class="body-text" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]
The phrase the power of design belongs to all of us is central to the Hideo Sasaki Foundation's ethos. We believe every individual and community should have the power to shape the built environment around them. Our design education programs are paid internships that exist to educate young people, from diverse backgrounds and identities, about the power they have to shape their world. We amplify their voices and support them on their journey from curious student to design professional.

Designing Environmental and Social Impact (DESI) is a 17-week paid internship that engages high school students from the Greater Boston area in researching and developing solutions to environmental and social issues in their communities.
Summer Exploratory Experience in Design (SEED) is a 6-week paid internship that provides a design education opportunity for youth interested in exploring and pursuing careers in design.

Our goal is for students to emerge from these experiences with a deeper understanding of design and the career opportunities in the industry. The ultimate hope is for our interns to eventually pursue careers in design and related fields. Both DESI and SEED are continually expanding, providing more high school students with quality design education, introducing them to diverse design careers, and supporting their professional development.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_8,1_2" module_class="sasaki-half-image-content-box" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="50px||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" module_class="order-1" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_8" module_class="order-3" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Question 1" module_class="sasaki-post-content body-text" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font_size="20px" text_line_height="24px" header_3_font="|700|||||||" header_3_font_size="40px" global_colors_info="{}"]
2025 by the Numbers
 

We engaged 116 design education participants, including interns, teaching assistants, project advisors, mentors, and clients.
Our programs provided 353 paid internship hours per intern (8,938 hours in total), with a combination of high-quality design education, industry exploration, and professional development.
Our programs saw a 91% cumulative attendance rate.
Of the surveyed interns, 95% reported having a positive overall experience.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="right-col-padding-left-only order-2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Participants_cropped.png" title_text="Participants_cropped" align_tablet="center" align_phone="" align_last_edited="on|desktop" admin_label="photo" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" module_class="sasaki-half-image-content-box" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="50px||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="order-1" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Interns-Gender-Race.png" title_text="Interns Gender & Race" align_tablet="center" align_phone="" align_last_edited="on|desktop" admin_label="photo" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="right-col-padding order-2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Question 3" module_class="bod-bio body-text" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]
2025 in Demographics
 

Our interns were from 19 neighborhoods in Boston and the Metro North region.
Our interns represented 21 high schools, with 11% in 9th grade, 33% in 10th grade, 32% in 11th grade, and 25% in 12th grade.
Our interns were a roughly equal mix of first-time participants and returning students.
98% of our interns identify as people of color, and 63% of interns identify as female; these metrics are the inverse of the design industry’s current population.
We strive to support young people from underrepresented groups in gaining access to design education and influencing design decisions that affect their communities.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_8,1_2" module_class="sasaki-half-image-content-box" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="50px||50px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" module_class="order-1" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_8" module_class="order-3" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="Question 1" module_class="sasaki-post-content body-text" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font_size="20px" text_line_height="24px" header_3_font="|700|||||||" header_3_font_size="40px" global_colors_info="{}"]
2025 in Impact
57 Greater Boston high school students from diverse backgrounds accessed a design education and career exploration internship.

90% of interns gained a deeper understanding of the design process.
83% of interns improved their technical skills through design software workshops.
94% of interns surveyed reported that our programs were great professional and workforce development experiences.
78% of interns surveyed reported interest in pursuing a career in the design industry.

38 volunteer design professionals gained both professional and personal fulfillment.
6 nonprofit, community, and civic organizations received design support that expanded their capacity and advanced their missions. 
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" module_class="right-col-padding-left-only order-2" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_image src="https://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/FOCL-Final.jpg" title_text="FOCL Final" align_tablet="center" align_phone="" align_last_edited="on|desktop" admin_label="photo" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label="Caption1" module_class="caption-1 margin-top-50" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]
2025 SEED 3 graphic for Friends of the Chinatown Library (FOCL)
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Caption2" module_class="caption-2" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]
SEED 3 interns Elfe, Sam, and Kathleen
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_margin="50px|||" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text module_class="body-text" _builder_version="4.27.0" global_colors_info="{}"]
This year, our design education programs continued to build equity in design, pushing towards a more representative industry. We gave more high school students from diverse backgrounds access to paid internships and design education. We supported these students with continuous and progressive engagement with design in college. We provided undergraduate and graduate college students the opportunity to gain and practice industry-relevant skills. And we supported the work of local community-serving organizations.
With even more support, we can continue to strengthen the design workforce pipeline by amplifying the voices of young designers from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and communities, and helping them harness the power of design to positively shape both the present and the future.
Read more in our 2025 Design Education Snapshot, and subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date in 2026.
 
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version="4.27.0" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]
[/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_8,3_4,1_8" _builder_version="4.16" use_background_color_gradient="on" background_image="http://www.sasakifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/previous-post.png" custom_padding="100px||100px|" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_4" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][et_pb_text admin_label="PREVIOUS POST" _builder_version="4.16" text_font="|600|||||||" text_font_size="20px" text_letter_spacing="2px" text_line_height="24px" global_colors_info="{}"]PREVIOUS POST[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label="Previous Post Link" _builder_version="4.27.0" text_font="|700|||||||" text_font_size="40px" text_line_height="48px" custom_margin="50px|||" global_colors_info="{}"]Third Annual Celebration of Design a Success
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_8" _builder_version="4.16" custom_padding="|||" global_colors_info="{}" custom_padding__hover="|||"][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
            [post_title] => Hideo Sasaki Foundation Releases 2025 Design Education Snapshot
            [post_excerpt] => The phrase the power of design belongs to all of us is central to the Hideo Sasaki Foundation's ethos. We believe every individual and community should have the power to shape the built environment around them. Our design education programs are paid internships that exist to educate young people, from diverse backgrounds and identities, about the power they have to shape their world. We amplify their voices and support them on their journey from curious student to design professional.
            [post_status] => publish
            [comment_status] => open
            [ping_status] => open
            [post_password] => 
            [post_name] => hideo-sasaki-foundation-releases-2025-design-education-snapshot
            [to_ping] => 
            [pinged] => 
            [post_modified] => 2025-12-09 14:26:48
            [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-12-09 19:26:48
            [post_content_filtered] => 
            [post_parent] => 0
            [guid] => https://www.sasakifoundation.org/?p=237069
            [menu_order] => 0
            [post_type] => post
            [post_mime_type] => 
            [comment_count] => 0
            [filter] => raw
        )

    [comment_count] => 0
    [current_comment] => -1
    [found_posts] => 104
    [max_num_pages] => 104
    [max_num_comment_pages] => 0
    [is_single] => 
    [is_preview] => 
    [is_page] => 
    [is_archive] => 
    [is_date] => 
    [is_year] => 
    [is_month] => 
    [is_day] => 
    [is_time] => 
    [is_author] => 
    [is_category] => 
    [is_tag] => 
    [is_tax] => 
    [is_search] => 
    [is_feed] => 
    [is_comment_feed] => 
    [is_trackback] => 
    [is_home] => 1
    [is_privacy_policy] => 
    [is_404] => 
    [is_embed] => 
    [is_paged] => 
    [is_admin] => 
    [is_attachment] => 
    [is_singular] => 
    [is_robots] => 
    [is_favicon] => 
    [is_posts_page] => 
    [is_post_type_archive] => 
    [query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 2f41fbf7381527b29021df633e096c63
    [query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] => 
    [thumbnails_cached] => 
    [allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] => 
    [stopwords:WP_Query:private] => 
    [compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array
        (
            [0] => query_vars_hash
            [1] => query_vars_changed
        )

    [compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array
        (
            [0] => init_query_flags
            [1] => parse_tax_query
        )

)

the power of design

belongs to all of us

2019 SEED high school internship

Incubator at Sasaki | Watertown, Massachusetts

the power of design

belongs to all of us

Team at the Incubator at Sasaki

Watertown, Massachusetts

the power of design

belongs to all of us

Team at the Incubator at Sasaki

Watertown, Massachusetts

the power of design

belongs to all of us

Patron touching art in the Please Touch the Art exhibit

Mosesian Center for the Arts | Watertown, Massachusetts | photo courtesy Matt Jatkola

The Hideo Sasaki Foundation works to advance equity in the design of the environment. We sponsor research and programs that empower communities and strengthen education in design.

Events

2025 Celebration of Design

November 13, 2025

Enjoy food, drinks, and fun while supporting our mission of equity in design! Join the Hideo Sasaki Foundation on November 13, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at 110 Chauncy in Downtown Boston for the third annual Celebration of Design. We will celebrate Hideo Sasaki’s career, the Sasaki Foundation’s work, and the design community. All proceeds will support our mission of equity in design.

Learn More

What we do

Our values build on more than six decades of work by Hideo Sasaki, focusing on the following priority areas.

1

Research & Grants

Large-scale, complex challenges require cross-disciplinary thinking. That’s why we convene experts and innovators from all backgrounds. Our research and grants bring issues of inequity in design to the forefront.

Learn More

2

Community Learning

Informed and engaged residents are central ingredients of a successful community. That’s why we host public programs that amplify a diversity of voices and address socially relevant topics as we work toward systemic change.

Learn More

3

Design Education

A thriving design industry relies on a pipeline of diverse, talented, and passionate practitioners who infuse new ideas and disrupt established patterns. That’s why we provide youth with opportunities to discover and explore careers in design.

Learn More

History

The Hideo Sasaki Foundation is named after Hideo Sasaki, a Japanese American landscape architect who came of age in WWII. Hideo was a pioneer of modern design, a leader, and an educator. He articulated—and proved—the value of interdisciplinary design while breaking down the traditional barriers between practice and teaching.

The Hideo Sasaki Foundation was established by Sasaki, a multidisciplinary design firm founded by Hideo, with support from Hideo’s family and friends. Continuing Hideo’s legacy, we sit at the intersection of research, practice, education, and community-driven processes. We advance equity in design, inviting diverse partners to co-create change.

 

Learn More

Hideo Sasaki

1970s