4/14 DI Meeting Recap
Meeting recap, design expedition, exec board applications, design opportunities & events
(1) Meeting Recap
(2) Exec Board Applications
(3) Design Expedition
(4) Education & Resources
(5) Opportunities & Events
Networking & Interview Workshop!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Networking & Interview Workshop! We kicked things off with a LinkedIn speed dating icebreaker, then dove into why networking is so powerful—covering mentorship, feedback, new perspectives, opportunities, and how to find advocates for your work. We talked about how to start building your network using UW resources and held a Coffee Chat 101: how to ask for one, prepare, and use them to grow your skills. We wrapped up with common interview practices and shared some helpful tips to feel more confident and prepared.
Design Expedition!
Join us on Monday, April 28th from 5:00-7:00pm for our end-of-semester Design Expedition! This is an explorative & reflective event open to all students, faculty, staff, and professionals.
The first half of the event will journey through a series of mini-workshops to explore the question: How can we design impactful solutions that benefit people, systems, and the planet? The event will also showcase our student design projects, in which teams worked on a range of design challenges for real-world start-ups.
Come celebrate the creativity, innovation, and collaboration happening on UW’s campus — Refreshments Included!
🚨 Exec Board Applications Are Open!
If you’ve been enjoying your time in Design Interactive and want to take your involvement to the next level, now’s your chance! We’re looking for eight awesome members to join our executive board for Fall 2025!
Serving on DI’s exec board is an incredible opportunity to strengthen your leadership skills, grow personally, and work closely with a team of creative, driven individuals. You’ll have a voice in shaping the direction of DI and play a key role in creating meaningful experiences for our members. Exec meets weekly to share ideas, collaborate, and bring exciting initiatives to life.
Have questions about the positions or the commitment? DM Madi on Slack! 😊
You can find the application linked below—it includes detailed info about each available role.
🗓 Applications are due by Monday, April 21st at 11:59 PM!
Education & Resources
FigBuild: New Grad Design & Developer Career Panel
Join Figma’s FigBuild Career Panel on April 15th at 6pm CDT! Hear from recent grads at Meta, Visa, Duolingo, and U.S. Digital Corps about how hackathons helped them land jobs and sharpen their skills. They’ll also share tips on how to make your projects stand out! The session includes a live Q&A, so RSVP now!
ADPList
ADPList is a free mentorship platform for designers (and other creatives). You can book 1-on-1 video calls with experienced designers from companies like Google, Meta, or startups to get advice, portfolio feedback, career tips, or just chat about the design industry. It's a way to learn directly from people who are already doing the work you want to do.
UW Design Lab
Do you need help with upcoming design projects for class? DesignLab offers free one-on-one digital design tutoring for UW-Madison students, faculty, and staff! Get help with all of your digital projects, including presentations, posters, videos, audio, websites/blogs, infographics, and more!
Upcoming Opportunities & Events!
UX Club — Epic Systems UX Site Visit
On April 24th from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM, join UX Club for an exciting opportunity to explore UX design in the healthcare technology space at Epic. Participants will:
Gain insights into UX workflows and collaboration within Epic’s UXD team.
Engage with industry professionals about the impact of UX in healthcare.
Network with designers and learn about career opportunities.
Participate in an interactive Q&A session with Epic’s UX team.
This is an incredible opportunity with limited spots available, so be sure to register!
Madison’s Spring Tech Kickoff
If you're interested in Madison’s tech scene, don’t miss the Spring Tech Kickoff on Tuesday, April 15th from 5–7 PM at Element Hall (5510 Element Way). It's a great opportunity to connect with local entrepreneurs, startups, and professionals to kick off an exciting year ahead for the industry. To get there just take the A bus for a quick 17-minute ride, and there will be food and drinks. It’s free, but space is limited, so make sure to register in advance!
Design Field Notes - Hugo Eccles
On April 16th at 12pm, Hugo Eccles, the founder of UNTLD MOTO, a company that’s revolutionizing design and production for the automotive industry, will be hosting Berkeley’s next Design Field Notes. Hugo’s worked with top brands like Nike, Ford, and TAG Heuer, and now he’s shaping the future of electric vehicles. If you’re interested in design or the future of transportation.
Design Horizon: Focus on the Forest Symposium and Showcase
On Monday, April 21st from 10:00am-2:00pm, join the MS Design + Innovation (MD+I) program for a showcase of their capstone project: a collaboration with Menominee Tribal Enterprises and Massive Change Network. The event and will feature talks by partners from Menominee Tribal Enterprises and Life-Centered Designer Bruce Mau.
Volunteer with the Play Make Learn Conference
Want to strengthen your skills in marketing, event planning, or teamwork? Interested in networking with creatives & innovators? Join the Play Make Learn Conference as a volunteer! The conference will happen in late August, but they would love your help planning now! The theme this year “Breaking and Mending,” and is an excellent time with a vibrant arts/design/maker community and a healthy smattering of researchers, all coming together around playful education. Learn more about the Play Make Learn Conference.
That’s all for now! 🗓️👋
We hope to see you at the Design Expedition on Monday, April 28th from 5:00-7:00pm!