Group of young adults working on laptops around a table in a modern building with large windows.

DesignUP

DesignUP (Design + "Ut Prosim," Latin for "That I May Serve) was initiated in 2022 and was Virginia Tech's graphic design program's first major outreach event. In its first year, the event is a philanthropic design-a-thon that included 13 professional designers who mentored 52 undergraduate students (75% of the graphic design program) to provide design services to 11 local nonprofits).

By dividing the student participants into small groups – with representation from each undergraduate class and a design professional mentoring them – we built diverse teams that reflect the working environment of today’s creative agencies. The students greatly benefitted from this event by witnessing firsthand how their mentors navigate the relationship with clients in terms of direction, feedback, and approval.

  • Event Organization & Leadership
    Community Partnership
    Branding

  • Patrick Finley, Lead
    Kelly Weigand, Student Lead
    Kensley Bullins, Student Organizer
    Rachel Quaqin, Student Organizer
    Sarah Schaffer, Student Organizer

  • TBA

A group of people sitting around tables and working on laptops in a well-lit room with large windows.
People sitting at desks with laptops, engaging in discussion in a classroom setting.
Students in a classroom watching a presentation on a large screen displaying a color chart, with light streaming through large windows.
Group of people working together at a table with laptops in a bright room with large windows, whiteboards, and casual seating.
A man in a t-shirt is presenting design ideas on a large screen to a group of people seated at a table with laptops in a meeting room. A whiteboard with notes is visible in the background. The participants appear to be collaborating on a project.
People in a meeting or discussion; one is using a laptop.
Illustration of a modern interior with a staircase, tables, and people seated. The view is from above, showing a vibrant, stylized setting with purple and orange hues.

Daily Doodle by (the wickedly talented artist) Steven White

Smiling person holding a camera on a tripod in a bright indoor space with people socializing in the background.
Group of students working on laptops at a table in a university setting, with a whiteboard in the background. The room has large windows showing an outdoor campus view.
Group photo of people gathered in a large room with an AIGA event logo displayed on a screen from April 2, 2022. The participants are standing and sitting on patterned benches, smiling at the camera.
A gray and white T-shirt with "AIGA Design Up 2022" logo, a colorful notebook, and a sheet with various stickers on a wooden table.
Person presenting bike-related logos on a screen at a conference.