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.