Design-a-thon

CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate Change

What is the Design-a-thon on Climate Change? 

This in-person event brings together groups across disciplines and experience levels within the University to tackle problems related to climate change and develop innovative solutions. 

Participants engage in the Design Thinking process, which involves steps such as Understanding, Empathizing, Defining Problems, Ideating, Prototyping, Testing, and Sharing Results. If you recognize this process as Design Thinking, that’s fantastic! If not, don’t worry—we’ll spend the first hour of the day level-setting to ensure everyone has the information they need to participate and succeed. 

The solutions generated during the workshop will be diverse, ranging from products and spaces within the built environment to apps, ideas, and systems. There will be judges present, and we hope to award prizes for the best solutions! 

Keynote Speaker: Fernando Ramirez, Co-Founder Common Object Studio 

Coordinator Faculty- Jessica Bonness, Interior Architecture + Design 

Faculty Support Team- Hoon Choi, Graphic Media Design 

Moira Denson, Interior Architecture + Design 

Climate Change

Highlights from Previous Design-a-thons

The Marymount University Design-a-thon aims to raise awareness of community needs (see list per year) and inspire the design, technology, and healthcare communities to embrace Universal Design. Universal Design—also known as Design for All—encourages designers to consider the needs of everyone when creating products, services, technologies, and buildings.

By bringing together undergraduate and graduate students, along with faculty from various disciplines, Marymount University provides an opportunity for community-based problem solving around a significant social issue as set for the year.

This two-day event and project exhibition will center on accessibility and usability in specific areas of focus, featuring lightning talks by notable speakers, team empathy exercises, design and prototyping activities, and marketing strategies. Participants will include a diverse group from the Washington DC/Maryland, and Northern Virginia community: students, designers, faculty, caregivers, and members of the community of varying abilities. Our goal is to use design thinking to go beyond stereotypes and build compassionate solutions.

National Press- 2016 CIDA Merit Award for Excellence