LFA2024 x Artificial Kreativity Cross Pollinator Project, Photography by Hayley Madden
The Cross Pollinator Project is the only architecture-led multidisciplinary portfolio review experience for high school students to early-year professionals that aims to expose them to creative professions while offering support with professional development. As we inspire students to become the next generation of change, we want them to gain an understanding of how they can make a positive impact in their community with creativity at various scales.
When we launched the Cross Pollinator Project in 2022, our main objective was to expose students to the architecture profession and level the playing field for students from all backgrounds and schools—private and public to gain access to the industry. This resulted from my personal experience of interviewing and reviewing portfolios for candidates wanting to attend Cornell University’s architecture program in NY.
After launching the Cross Pollinator Project, we reached out to secondary schools, both local and international, about their architecture programs and discovered there are approximately 2 to 3 students interested in architecture. Also, it wasn’t only the architecture profession that needed exposure but creative professions as well. Creative pathways are not always seen as viable career options and work needs to be done to give students the skills and confidence to pursue these routes as sustainable professions.
LFA2024 x Artificial Kreativity Cross Pollinator Project, Photography by Hayley Madden
We found the London Festival of Architecture the perfect launching platform that gave us the opportunity to pilot our idea of a multidisciplinary portfolio review workshop and test our audience’s interest. They allow for experimentation, have a wide audience reach, are highly organized, supportive of the young architecture community, and are the only architecture festival. With their support, we gain more traction each year. We are now making architecture and creative professions accessible to everyone from students to early-year creative practitioners.
For LFA2024, we had nearly 100 applicants interested in our event that was hosted by the Zaha Hadid Foundation. With a limited intake, we had a highly successful turnout. We are always excited to meet our attendees from various creative backgrounds who want to gain an insight into their work from a different perspective.
LFA2024 x Artificial Kreativity Cross Pollinator Project, Photography by Hayley Madden
This year our attendees included university architecture students, 6th form, early graduates, artists, graphic designers, and interior designers. We also had various architects at different stages of their careers—moving to London or looking to get back into the profession after taking time off. They attended from various cities within Greater London, Manchester, and Turkey.
We had great feedback from our attendees:
"Honestly the best portfolio workshop I have attended out of the many in London."
"This workshop was far more unique with a busier itinerary than previous workshops I've attended, usually just the one portfolio review."
LFA2024 x Artificial Kreativity Cross Pollinator Project, Photography by Hayley Madden
Since starting our initiative in 2022 we have taken this globally with 88% of our attendees wanting this workshop at their school, 98% being satisfied or highly satisfied, 96% agreeing the multidisciplinary approach helped their project or portfolio, and after attending 80% had an increase in knowledge of various creative professions including architecture. We are supporting many attendees who have found placement in university, higher education, or job placement.
As we aim to offer more Cross Pollinators, we believe in making them accessible to everyone by not charging admission fees. This is a challenge we overcome through the support of our crowd funding from those who believe in what we do. If you would like to contribute, please follow the link below:
www.artificialkreativity.com/Sponsorship
A special thank you to all our review team members, donors, partners, and those who supported us. We could not have done this without you.
Further Information:
www.artificialkreativity.com/Cross_Pollinator
Instagram: @artificial_kreativity
(Left to right) Dagmar Binsted, Graham Modlen, Peter Murray OBE, Eric Wong, Rafael Portillo, Maria Loreto Flores, Chris Wight
Images courtesy of Artificial Kreativity, photography by Hayley Madden.
