Lab: First diamond
Raw discovery and academic rigor before Studio begins. Subject of the Year is fixed; direction within it can evolve.
Recruitment: Typically Feb–July
Studio and Lab
Lab (Platform) and Studio (New Media) are sequential phases in a 1.5-year cycle: research first, then public-facing execution.
Studio
New Media
Creative execution, visual storytelling, and high-impact public work — polished installations and aftermovies for a general audience.
Lab
Platform
Technical research, material studies, and experiments on the Subject of the Year — depth and rigor before the Studio phase.
The 1.5-year cycle
Lab and Studio are sequential, not parallel: research comes first, then public-facing execution (1.5 years total).
Lab (0.5 yr)
Studio (1 yr)
Studio: Second diamond
Translates research into installations and aftermovies. Not a production arm of Lab — distinct creative entity.
Recruitment: Typically Sept–July
At a glance
Key differences across mission, structure, and how each arm works in the cycle.
| Dimension | Lab | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Phase duration | 0.5 years | 1.0 year |
| Primary output | Material studies, experiments, raw research | Polished installations, aftermovies |
| Target audience | Academic and technical partners | General public |
| Visual identity | Yellow (#FFED00), raw and experimental | Pink (#E5007D), prestigious and polished |
| Team structure | Flat; members work with Lab Manager | Hierarchical leads; larger fabrication team |
| Narrative control | Sets the research direction | Can reinterpret for public accessibility |
| Selects from | Independent research | Lab work as a “Pinterest board” |
| Budget | Moderate (experimentation focus) | Higher (public-facing installation) |
| Communication | Minimal day-to-day; strong handover | Minimal during Lab phase |
| Partner role | Active technical collaborators from the start | Visibility and prestige during execution |
| Flexibility | Can pivot mid-phase based on findings | Can introduce new tech if needed |
| Failure mode | Aesthetic focus without experimental depth (“Art Trap”) | Unclear translation of research |
| Alumni support | Yes — regular mentorship | Yes — regular mentorship |
How it fits together
Handover
Transition is a clean break: Lab finishes research; the “soul” is preserved through formal presentations at Studio onboarding. Lab chooses what to publish; Studio chooses what to execute.
Collaboration
During each phase, teams communicate minimally. The formal handover is the main structured interaction — so that moment matters.
Research papers
Publications are an aspirational long-term goal. Today Lab delivers material studies, experiments, and technical documentation.
Track record
All Lab projects to date have successfully transitioned to Studio installations; clean break and formal presentations have preserved research momentum.