Berklee Experiential Design Lab Partners with Mophonics for Inaugural Program

The Berklee Experiential Design Lab, a new program that provides students the chance to showcase their talents to industry leaders through short-term, real-world projects, recently completed its inaugural session with the music and sound company Mophonics. Developed in collaboration with the Berklee Career Center, the design lab ran for two weeks and received over 122 student applications. 

Based out of Los Angeles and New York, Mophonics specializes in composing original songs for branded content for clients such as Cartier, BMW, Infiniti, Samsung, Facebook, United Airlines, and many more. 

“Mophonics is an organization that is not only at the cutting edge of innovation in the space of creating custom music for brands, but the company is also dedicated to elevating fresh voices in the field," said Sean Hagon, associate dean of career education and services. "They were the perfect partner to launch our inaugural Experiential Design Lab."

We made solid connections with several standout writers, producers, and vocalists that we’ll definitely be tapping for future projects.

—Steph Altman, creative director/partner, Mophonics

"The Experiential Design Lab was a very gratifying way to pass on our knowledge to the next generation, but it was also a great way to get acquainted with Berklee’s pool of rising talent,” said Steph Altman, creative director and partner at Mophonics. “We made solid connections with several standout writers, producers, and vocalists that we’ll definitely be tapping for future projects.”

Mophonics, in consultation with Berklee department chairs, worked with students to score, mix, and create original music for various projects. One student, Nicole Horbath Chaves, a professional music major, was tasked with creating an original song to accompany a preexisting television commercial. Her original song received a full critique from Berklee faculty as well as Mophonics, resulting in a refined final product that Chaves added to her portfolio. 

“I have always dreamed of being asked to write for film and TV...and in the Mophonics lab we did just that," said Chaves. "It was also very fulfilling to receive feedback from such incredible and talented people. I really enjoyed it, and made me reassure myself that I would love to do this job.”

The Berklee Experiential Design Lab will continue in the fall. If your company would be interested in participating, please contact Liza Levy in the Career Center.