Designing Your Portfolio ✧
DI updates for the week!
(1) Event Recap
(2) Design Showcase ☆
(3) Upcoming!
(4) Reminders ⧖
(5) Design Beyond DI
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Portfolio Workshop! We explored what makes a well designed portfolio, from storytelling and structure to accessibility and presentation. It was great seeing everyone share ideas, bring their work to life together, and get professional headshots taken. 📸📂
Design Showcase ☆
Tuesday, December 9 | 6 - 8 PM @ Room 2532, Morgridge Hall
Be part of our biggest event of the year and hear from a panel of UW–Madison professionals about how design creates real impact across Wisconsin. Explore the semester-long client projects created by our DI cohort teams and gain insight into their problem-solving process. All students, faculty, and design enthusiasts are welcome!
Upcoming!
Study Night: CDIS Long Night Against Procrastination ✦
Thursday, November 20 | 9 - 11 PM @ Student Org Lounge, Morgridge Hall
Come hang out, decorate mini tote bags, watch a movie, and get some studying done together. Enjoy snacks, caffeine, and a bit of low-stress creativity to recharge before finals! Plus therapy animals will be there to help you unwind 🐾
There will be no DI meeting during the week of November 24. Enjoy the couple days off, and we’ll be back the following week with more events and updates!
Reminders ⧖
Membership
Everyone who submitted a membership application should now have received an email with your current event count for Fall 2025!
You must attend 5 DI events by the end of the semester to be a member.
Member benefits:
• Eligibility for cohort project teams
• First access to internship postings and special opportunities
• Included in DI member stats and recognition
• Priority for limited-capacity events
• Consideration for leadership roles and Exec Board
Exec Board Applications
Applications for the Spring 2026 DI Exec Team are now open!
Timeline:
Tuesday, December 2: Exec Board applications close
Wednesday-Friday, December 3-5: 15 minute interviews for select positions
Friday, December 12: Exec Board members notified
Questions about membership or Exec Board? Email Gabi at czeremuga@wisc.edu
Design Beyond DI ⬇︎
New Spring 2026 Design Course - Info Session Today!
Wednesday, November 19 | 12 - 1 PM @ Nancy Nicholas Hall, Room 4226 | There will be donuts!
Interested in design, public service, or systems thinking? Civic Design: Systems-Thinking in Service Design is being offered this spring, taught by Professor Esther Kang. Students will partner with a local government agency and work with real research on student voter engagement to design service-based strategies that support the campus community. This course offers hands-on project work, community collaboration, and an introduction to service design and systems thinking.
Info Session #2 will be held during the first week of December (date and location TBD). Students will have the chance to meet city staff and learn more about the community partnership.
Prototyping Across Figma’s Tools in 2025
Friday, November 21 | 1 PM | Virtual
Figma for Education is hosting a hands-on workshop all about prototyping across Figma Design, Figma Make, and Figma Sites. Learn how to turn ideas into testable concepts, build interactive flows, and create publishable prototypes that bring your work to life. This session is great for anyone interested in improving their prototyping skills or exploring new tools for design and UX.
CDIS Women in Tech Panel and Networking Event
Wednesday, December 3 | 5:15 - 7:15 PM @ WARF Seminar Hub, Morgridge Hall (7th floor)
Join CDIS, co-hosted by WACM, for the third annual Women in Tech event! Students will hear from women working in tech at TruStage, Qualcomm, Epic, and Schneider National as they share their experiences, insights, and career advice. This event is open to all students who want to learn from leaders in the field.
Driving Brand Consistency with Adobe Express
Friday, December 12 | 1–2 PM | Virtual
Explore how the Wisconsin School of Business uses Adobe Express to build cohesive, on-brand design across teams. Creative Director Katie Schauer will share how templates and simple design workflows help students, staff, and faculty create professional visuals that stay true to the UW brand. A great session if you’re interested in branding, visual design, or design systems.
Winter Design Festival
Friday, December 12 | 5:30-7 PM @ Nancy Nicholas Hall
Hosted by UW–Madison’s Master of Science in Design + Innovation program, this festival celebrates creativity and innovation through an interdisciplinary showcase of student projects, installations, and interactive experiences. Connect with peers across design disciplines and get inspired by what’s next in the world of design!
✧ See you at Study Night tomorrow, and enjoy your Thanksgiving break! ✧