Matthew Faherty

Matthew Faherty

Studio Intern

Matthew is a Studio Intern from New Jersey and currently studying & working in New York. He is currently earning his BA at Parsons, majoring in strategic design & management, and is interested in working in graphic design, environmental design, and financial management.

What did you do before Openbox?

After a year of studying Design Thinking and Architecture at Tulane University, and at the peak of COVID, I took a year off from academics to pursue a job in sales & management, as well as considering transferring universities. Currently, my academic background is in Strategic Design & Management at Parsons School of Design. Professionally, I have experience in graphic design and environmental design, working with non-profit organizations. From these experiences, I found Openbox and a new passion for human centered design.

What do you like about the work you do?

I believe that the value of inclusive design thinking that Openbox holds should be reflected in the studio space. I love the process of creating a welcoming studio environment both physically and interpersonally so the team members and guests feel comfortable in their space to discuss, ideate, prototype, etc. Ultimately, I believe that my work is important because in order for the full-potential of creative output to exist in a studio space, you need to consider everyone involved.

What does inclusivity mean to you?

To me, inclusivity means considering everyone involved, no matter what the circumstances are. I believe that it is an essential building block to authentic design research, as well as the forefront for modern business systems and practices. 

When do you feel most like yourself?

I feel most like myself when I am with my friends.

I spend a lot of time thinking about…

Relationships, mental health, food, and comic books.