Curiosity in Design
Hugo Fellowship
At Corgan, we believe that curiosity fuels innovation. Our fellows help bridge research and design, championing evidence-based ideas, creative collaboration, and a deep understanding of how people experience place. They should be curious, collaborative, and passionate about shaping environments that make a positive impact.
Application Process
The Curiosity in Design Fellowship is a one-year program for recent graduates and emerging professionals interested in design research and innovation.
Fellows work alongside Hugo, Corgan’s research and innovation team, to explore future trends, human experience, and the intersection of research and design.
The fellowship is open to students completing their undergraduate or graduate studies, as well as young professionals in the first one to three years of their careers in architecture, interior design, or urban design
Design Portfolio
Your portfolio should demonstrate your design and technical skills from school and any professional experience you have, but don’t stop there! Show us how you think differently and allow for curiosity in your work. How did you get to your final concepts and what context informed your unique approach? “Show and tell” your exploration process and how your insights translated into design intent.
Project Proposal
Submit your 2026 Curiosity in design Fellowship Proposal here. Outline a topic you’re curious about and how you’d approach it through design research.
Hands on Innovation
Fellows work alongside Hugo, Corgan’s research and innovation team, to explore future trends, human experience, and the intersection of research and design. Each fellow will contribute to studio projects and moonshot investigations, while also pursuing an independent research topic of their choosing—supported by a collaborative advisory team of designers, researchers, technologists, and industry partners.
Curious about the type of research a fellow focuses on during their time with Hugo? Learn more about Amy Qu, our first Curiosity in Design fellow and her work rethinking styrofoam waste as a sustainable building material.
Fellowship Application
Applications will close on February 16th. Please be sure to submit prior to be considered. Candidates should be willing to work in one of our Corgan office locations for the duration of the fellowship. This is a full time, salaried position.
During the selection process, candidates will first undergo an internal review of their application materials. From there, shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a two-stage interview process with the Hugo team. Final notifications of selection will be shared by mid-April, with the 2026 Fellow anticipated to begin in late May or early June.
*Only applications received through our website with a formal project proposal submission will be considered.
