(1) Workshop Recap
(2) DI Reminders & Upcoming
(3) Design Cohorts
(3) Design Opportunities & Events
Workshop Recap
Reverse Engineering Workshop!
Thanks to everyone who came to our first workshop: Reverse Engineering! We started out with a fun icebreaker snowball fight, and we talked about what reverse engineering actually is. We then went into talking about some key tools and techniques, and how AI and sustainability are current driving innovative factors. Next, groups participated in an activity “Product to Pixels” where an everyday object was chosen, the makeup of its key components were determined, and then an improved version was brainstormed and “rebuilt”!
Here are some key takeaways:
Reverse Engineering can be broken up into steps: information extraction, modeling, and review.
Some current key tools & techniques are: simulation & modeling, software tools design thinking + performance analysis, and physical tools.
The design and tech industry is always changing and reverse engineering is becoming a critical tool for reducing waste, optimizing materials, and improving product lifestyles.
We hope you enjoyed today’s workshop! ☺️
Reminders & Upcoming
Next Week’s Workshop: Prototyping for All
In an era where digital and physical products shape daily experiences, designing for inclusivity is not just an option—it’s a responsibility. Join us next Monday, February 17th from 6-7pm in 4191F for our Prototyping for All workshop, where we will look at how designers can create products and services that consider people with diverse abilities from the start. We will work together to redesign a common interface while simulating different accessibility needs, like low vision or motor impairments.
Let’s Chat!
DI is committed to offering not only general, but also personalized support. If you would like to chat about navigating design UW-Madison, possible opportunities, or have questions in general — we would love to chat with you! Right now, two of our Exec Board members, Madi and McKenzie, are available to meet with DI members! Signing up for a 30-minute meeting is as easy as clicking their Calendly link to check their availability:
Madi Meyer is the President of DI, and is a senior in the Information Science major. She has taken courses such as Interaction Design Studio (LIS 470), Human-Computer Interaction (CS 570), Design Thinking (DS 341), & more! Set up a time to chat through Madi’s Calendly!
McKenzie Kujava is a Cohort Manager for DI, and is a junior studying Computer Science. She is interested in Interaction Design and Project Management. Set up a time to chat through Mckenzie’s Calendly!
Career & Internship Specialist — Technology, Data & Analytics
While fellow DI members can be a great resource for insights on courses, projects, and networking, Beth Karabin, Career Specialist for Technology & Data, is an expert at helping you chart your own path to success. She can offer guidance on resume and portfolio reviews, interview preparation, and determining how to meet your goals. Beth is an incredible resource—utilize her expertise!
Design Cohort Applications
Applications for our spring semester Design Cohorts are officially live!
These projects are a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the design process, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and create a piece for your personal portfolio. Teams of around four members will meet once a week to work together through each phase of the design process, with an additional expectation of about two hours of work outside of meeting times.
Questions or concerns about the Design Cohorts? Ask in the #questions Slackchannel or DM one of the exec members privately.
Applications are Due this Sunday, February 16th, at 11:59 pm. You will be notified on Wednesday, February 19th if you were chosen to be a part of a Design Cohort this semester. More information is available down below in the application.
Upcoming Design Opportunities & Events!
Elevating Americans’ Needs through Modern Design Methods
On Tuesday, February 11th, from 1:30-2:30pm over Zoom, the UW-Madison Design Community is hosting a conversation with user experience designers from Coforma, Megan Holman and Jess Jones. They will share their insights on the question: How do you design modern digital products and services for nearly 350 million people from all walks of life? They’ll walk through methods to understand the problem, center Americans' needs in design decisions, and deliver accessible, inclusive digital services.
Technology, Data & Analytics Career Fair
Join SuccessWorks in a virtual career fair, Tuesday February 11th from 4:00 - 6:00pm, for all students interested in internships and full-time positions in Software Engineering, Data Analytics, Project Management, Business Analysis, Information Technology, Management & Technical Consulting, AI, UX/UI Design & more!
Startup Job Fair
On Wednesday, February 12th, from 7:00 - 9:00pm on the second floor of Gordon’s, make connections with Madison’s top start ups and find your next opportunity. This is a great opportunity to connect directly with local startups, making networking, gaining visibility, and learning about entrepreneurship all easily accessible in one place! This event is open to any UW student and it is recommended to bring your resume and attend wearing business casual.
Workforce Futures with Gem Barton
On Thursday, February 20th from 5:30 - 7:00pm at 821 E Washington Ave Suite 200 Madison, WI, join the MS Design + Innovation (MD+I) community in welcoming Gem Barton from the Royal College of Art in London during an in-person workshop. Gem will be leading participants in a forward looking workshop on future jobs and the potential for transdisciplinary practice in the workforce of tomorrow. The workshop will work to develop a range of jobs and careers, along with titles and descriptions that can be part of a "Futures Job Board" that reflects emerging trends and needs within design and innovation.
Play Make Learn Conference
Proposals are currently being accepted to be presented at the 2025 Play Make Learn Conference (PML). PML is an inspirational space for educators, designers, developers, innovators, librarians, museum professionals, makers, and researchers of all kinds, to share and collaborate on work! The deadline for submissions is March 7th at 11:59pm, and the event will be held from August 21-22nd at Memorial Union.
Check-out our website!
If you missed joining our Slack, want to learn more about DI and our exec team, or to view or table of curated resources, then check out our Design Interactive website.
That’s all for now! 🗓️👋
We hope you enjoyed this week’s workshop, and we hope to see you next Monday, February 17th from 6-7pm in 4191F for our Prototyping for All workshop! :)