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Youth Design Center

@youthdesigncenter

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Award-winning youth-led nonprofit creative agency, empowering youth with STEAM education to design an equitable future.

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We’ve been busy. And we’re just getting started.

At @thecornerbyydc there’s always something happening.

This past month looked like a doubles-eating contest at our Caribbean Heritage Sidewalk Social, live performances and karaoke, and our team behind the scenes designing and producing the gift cards, medals and other pieces that helped bring the event to life. Shoutout to @target for investing in us these past two years to make this series possible.

Then it was right back to work.

We took our photo booth on the road for @lossures , welcomed Corner members booking the space for photoshoots and creative production, and opened our doors to community partners and ministries offering free financial literacy workshops.

Young people connected directly with Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Renita Francois and Dr. Ayesha Delany-Brumsey, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety — getting a chance to meet the people shaping community safety policy and share space with leaders making decisions that affect their neighborhoods.

@impacctbk and @cbedc_official brought their OSHA certification + construction industry project management information session to The Corner. We joined the Pitkin Avenue BID in getting resources directly into the community. And we produced and gave away 400+ backpacks filled with school supplies to get young people ready for the school year.

And while all of that was happening, we launched our new Print Shop website and YDC Shop.

Because The Corner isn’t just a place where programs happen. It’s a place to learn, make, work, gather, produce, build a business, share resources and create opportunities for young people.

And since it’s Virgo season: give your favorite Virgo something that gives twice. Grab a YDC gift card or shop products and high-quality creative services produced through YDC — your purchase directly supports the work and opportunities we create for young people.

Check out the new YDC Shop + Print Shop through the link in bio.

A month at YDC. A little bit of everything. A lot more coming. by @youthdesigncenter

Congrats to our inaugural Portfolio Development Intensive participants who sent a week exploring and creating gorgeous works of art with the brilliant @v6pt0, Parsons educator. We look forward to continuing to foster a space for media exploration, visual language and portfolio development. by @youthdesigncenter

A keychain might be small—but the skills behind making one are anything but.

In this hands-on workshop, students created their own personalized keychains while learning how ideas move from the computer screen to production.

Inara, our intern and YDC alumi, walked them through how our in-house laser cutter works, starting with the basics in Adobe Illustrator. Students designed their keychains, prepared their files, and then got to see their work come to life through the laser cutting process.

Projects like this give young creatives the chance to build new technical skills, experiment with design tools, and experience the excitement of making something they designed themselves.

Video by our media intern: Isis Joseph

#YouthDesignCenter #YouthPowered #LearningByMaking #YouthWorkforceDevelopment by @youthdesigncenter

Thanks Marcus and @wibo.works for the engaging youth focus group on ChangeSpaces. Through our work together, we are sure to continue to enhance youth agency, build collective efficacy and empower youth to shape the community they want to see—in Brownsville and beyond. by @youthdesigncenter

Gentle reminder.

We print shirts. Free shipping on local orders.

Just saying. You gotta buy them anyway. Why not support youth while doing it.

#printshop #socialenterprise #youthled #BrownsvilleBrooklyn #shoplocal by @youthdesigncenter

#ASMR day in the life for 3D Design Alumni at @thecornerbyydc's fabrication lab. We are finishing up an affirmation wall design/build for @lossures.

#madeinbrownsville #youthled #youthdesigncenter #makerspace by @youthdesigncenter

From blank hats to a finished order.

In this intern spotlight, Yani takes us through the process of creating custom hats for ICM.

During her internship at YDC, she learned each step of the printing process—from preparing the designs and materials to producing the final pieces.

Her favorite part was seeing the completed hats after all the work that went into making them. Yani felt proud of the final result—and even more excited knowing the customer was happy with their order.

This is what hands-on learning looks like: building technical skills, creating real products, and gaining the confidence that comes from seeing your hard work pay off.

🎥 Video by Isis @theempress1sis

#InternSpotlight #YouthPowered #YouthWorkforceDevelopment #HandsOnLearning #CustomApparel #ApparelPrinting #CreativeCareers #BrooklynCreatives #BrooklynYouth by @youthdesigncenter

The Corner by YDC transforms into a podcast studio for @evrydaysthewknd, the weekly podcast co-hosted by @waveys_world, @ms_nwyc, and @theshiggyshow with producer and actor @lareseking.

Our team supports setup and breakdown, while a @youthdesigncenter Creative Apprenticeship Program alum worked as the audio engineer, monitoring levels and ensuring clear, high-quality sound throughout the recording.

This is how The Corner supports creative production: providing space, equipment, technical support, and paid opportunities for YDC alumni to build professional experience behind the scenes.

Book a tour to see what the space can do for your next creative project. DM us today.

#TheCornerByYDC #YouthDesignCenter #EverydaysTheWeekend #PodcastProduction #CreativeCareers by @youthdesigncenter

From concept to creation.

In this intern spotlight, Isaac takes a poster display idea from the computer screen to a finished prototype—designing a custom standoff and bringing it to life with our 3D printer.

The video was filmed and edited by Isis, one of our media interns, who picked up the camera for the first time to document Isaac’s process. Through this project, both interns gained hands-on experience—Isaac in digital design and fabrication, and Isis in camera operation and video editing.

This is what learning by making looks like: young creatives collaborating, experimenting, and turning new skills into real projects.

#YouthLed #YouthPowered #YouthWorkforceDevelopment #3DPrinting #ProductDesign #DigitalFabrication #Makerspace #BrooklynCreatives by @youthdesigncenter

Youth leadership in action.

This past weekend, our young people represented YDC at #OldTimersWeekend and helped lead The Corner by YDC Open House—welcoming neighbors, giving tours, sharing resources, and connecting their peers and community members to upcoming opportunities.

As a youth-led creative agency, we believe young people should not only participate in community work, but help shape, lead, and represent it.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our tables, explored the space, asked questions, and signed up for our newsletter. We look forward to keeping you updated on upcoming programs, workshops, events, and opportunities. Special shoutout to partners @wibo.works and @thenextmileproject for joining us in sharing valuable economic and civic engagement resources to the community.

Missed us this weekend? Drop by The Corner by YDC Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, to explore the space and learn more about what YDC offers.

#YouthDesignCenter #YouthLeadership #BrownsvilleBrooklyn #YouthLed by @youthdesigncenter

There’s a lot more happening inside YDC than you might realize.

Our Fabrication Lab is equipped with XTool DTF apparel printer, laser cutters, 3D printer, woodworking machines and handtools, screen-printing equipment, heat presses, a washout sink, a mechatronics station, and plenty of space to build, test, learn, and experiment.

This is a community space for makers, creatives, entrepreneurs, students, and curious explorers who want to bring ideas to life.

Drop by for a tour Monday through Friday, from 10 AM to 6 PM (or nights and weekends by appointment) and see what’s possible.

Coming to Old Timers Weekend? Stop by YDC first. We’re right around the corner from the Brownsville Recreation Center, where all the magic is happening this weekend.

Come meet us, explore the lab, and start thinking about what you could make here.

#Brownsville #Makerspace #fabricationlab #spaceforartists #OldTimersWeekend by @youthdesigncenter