Aissata’s Internship with Avery Dennison
We caught up with CWC Year One Fellow Aissata to learn about her summer internship with the materials manufacturing company Avery Dennison. Aissata attended RISD's Pre-College Program through CWC in the summer of 2021, and she is now a junior at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). She shared her experience working with cutting-edge creative technology and exploring the intersection of sustainability, inclusion, and innovation this summer.
“This summer, I was really excited for the opportunity to intern at Avery Dennison through Creatives Want Change. Creatives Want Change is dedicated to cultivating Black creative talent from high school through early professional development. As a rising junior at Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), I aimed to enhance my skills in creative technologies. In my role as a Digital Product Creation intern at Avery Dennison, I worked with CAD design software such as Xtex, Adobe Substance 3D, Browzwear and CLO 3D, all of which are pivotal in the apparel industry. My division focused on digitizing their product offerings including external embellishments, labels, tags, and heat transfers.
CWC Year One Fellow Aissata during her internship in Summer 24’
Throughout my internship, I engaged in on-site training and hands-on tasks, such as scanning physical materials to standardize the appearance of their digital twins. This process ensures the digital copy accurately reflects real-world attributes of the material such as how the materials should interact with light and what the real world dimensions of the material are. Once the material is scanned, it is utilized by the production teams to create photorealistic visualization of clients' new development concepts without the need to produce new physical samples.
Avery Dennison Logo
One of the key takeaways from my internship was gaining a deep understanding of the importance of sustainability within the fast-paced apparel industry. Technology plays a crucial role in advancing sustainability for the company. For example, instead of physically sampling and shipping products between the company and customers, 3D sampling technology is utilized. This approach significantly reduces production time and material consumption, while also enhancing clarity and communication between all involved parties.
In addition to technological advancements, inclusion is a core value at Avery Dennison. The company actively promotes a culture of diversity and inclusivity. A notable example is their support for the LGBTQ+ community through events organized by Unite Pride. At their New York office, Avery Dennison hosted a Pride event featuring customization of bags with Pride patches, and invited guest speakers from outside the organization. This event not only celebrated diversity but also fostered a sense of community and involvement among employees.
Aissata’s design from 2022
Merging these values of sustainability and inclusion is essential for enhancing a company's brand image and creating a positive societal impact. By embracing innovative technologies and supporting diverse communities, companies like Avery Dennison are setting a standard for responsible and inclusive practices in the apparel industry.
Aissata in Summer 21’
The Newness team is tasked with rebranding and showcasing the latest designs in Embelex, while capturing key industry trends. During my time on the Newness 7 Project, I gained valuable insights into the design and innovation processes. The team held weekly meetings to review 2D and 3D CAD designs and analyze trends, demonstrating the extensive research required, particularly in trims. This experience highlighted growing fashion trends where branding emphasizes understated elegance and craftsmanship.
Aissata’s design from 2022
As a fashion student, I’ve contributed to material overconsumption by sourcing fabric an immense amount of samples for school projects. In courses like Draping and Fashion Illustration, we frequently gather samples from stores for our work, which adds to the waste of resources. At the end of each term, I frequently see a significant amount of these materials being discarded, which highlights the issue of waste in the traditional approach. My experience working at Avery Dennison provided me with valuable insights into the digitization of materials. I learned that creating a digital library of fabric samples is a far more efficient and sustainable alternative to maintaining a physical swatch book. This digital approach not only minimizes material waste but also enhances accuracy in design work by providing more reliable and accessible references.
Overall, this internship made me realize the importance of networking, community, and determination. My mentor, Paul Bird, made my transition into the digital realm seamless with his admirable expertise and supportive attitude. My goal for the future is to continue deepening my understanding of creative
Aissata’s design from 2022
technologies. I hope that my knowledge and experience can inspire youth to pursue similar paths. I aim to fully immerse myself in the digital realm as a designer, exploring new sectors within the fashion industry. For future CWC scholars considering this internship, working at Avery Dennison has been an informative experience, and I hope the CWC collaboration continues to thrive. “
-CWC Year One Fellow Aissata
