September 25, 2025
NuVu Reimagines the Gap Year
Natalie Ferry: Confidence in Creation
For most recent high school graduates, a Gap Year represents a time to pause before the next steps—whether in an academic or vocational path. At NuVu, a Gap Year can mean so much more.
“When students aren’t ready to jump straight into college, NuVu gives them a bridge: time to experiment, to fail safely, and to realize they can create impact through design,” says co-founder and CEO Saeed Arida.
Just ask Natalie Ferry, a recent graduate of Parsons School of Design–The New School with a BA in Industrial and Product Design. Natalie attended Newton North High School, where a teacher recommended NuVu Summer as a great option to expand her learning.
“The first summer program I took was a wearable medical program, and it was quite impactful,” she says. Having always enjoyed art and design, Natalie explains that she never had a clear definition of where her future interests might lead until experiencing NuVu’s hands-on studios.
“Back then I knew about engineering and art, but I didn't really understand that design was an option for me until the NuVu Summer program,” she recalls. The accelerated studio model gave her the opportunity to learn from feedback and guided her through the process from ideation to final product—something she says was extremely impactful. “And it was also just really fun to be in the NuVu environment, to have access to maker spaces and to the coaches who could really unlock the potential and possibilities those spaces allow kids to explore.”
When it came time to apply to colleges, Natalie says she was still uncertain about which path to take and simply didn’t feel ready. That’s where NuVu helped become a bridge when she applied for a NuVu Gap Year before heading to college.
“I experienced so much growth during my Gap Year at NuVu,” says Natalie. “It really allowed me to expand as a young person—not just from an educational standpoint, but also by being in an environment that pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Presenting my work every two weeks, talking with other students and coaches, and having real conversations forced me to apply myself in ways I never could during my traditional schooling.”
In addition, Natalie’s portfolio grew in ways she felt gave her an edge when it came time to apply to colleges.
“I almost wish I had gone to NuVu a little earlier because the projects I did there were some of the best work in my college portfolio," she recalls. “Even when I wasn’t working in a studio, I could use the space to develop side projects that I added to my portfolio. That was helpful, too.”
Not only did her portfolio become more robust, but the foundational skills she gained at NuVu gave her a strong advantage during her first year at Parsons. With a newfound understanding of prototyping, iteration, and feedback, her confidence at college eased her anxiety. “When I moved into the product design program in my sophomore year, I felt like my peers noticed my NuVu experience. They were like, ‘How do you already know how to do this?’”
“I see it every year: when a student isn’t quite ready for college—or isn’t sure what to study—a NuVu Gap Year becomes the bridge,” shares Karen Sutton, NuVu’s Director of Admissions and Chief of Staff. “In our studios they brainstorm, build, and present, learning from coach feedback while using college-level fabrication tools and technology. By the end, they know themselves better—and whether engineering, design, or a combination of both is the path they want to pursue.”
So whether you are a NuVu student extending your education into a Gap Year before college, or a graduate of a traditional school system looking for a deeper understanding of design, technology, art, or engineering—NuVu’s innovative approach to education may be just what you need.
