Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter: September 23rd, 2025
Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter
UPCOMING@JACOBS
Jacobs Institute-organized events, news, and announcements—straight from the source.
MONIKA SEYFRIED - IS TECHNOLOGY THE NEW NATURE?
Monday 9/29 5:30-6:30 PM ⋅ 310 Jacobs Hall (3rd Floor)
More Info & RSVP
As part of the Jacobs Institute’s course DES INV 95, Design Field Notes invites you into conversations that explore how design shapes—not just responds to—the technologies and futures we live in.
Join on Monday 9/29 for a talk by Monika Seyfried. Monika is an Interaction Designer who works across the disciplines of science, ethics and futures. Her research focuses on how living systems and the natural world can help us to establish new perspectives on the future of technology and ecosystems. RSVP
BERKELEY MASTER OF DESIGN ADMISSIONS EVENTS
Various Dates
More Info & RSVP
Are you passionate about emerging technologies and the the potential for thoughtful design of emerging technologies to create positive impacts in society? The Berkeley MDes program, offered jointly by UC Berkeley’s College of Engineering and College of Environmental Design, is your gateway to mastering the intersection of design, technology, and social practice.
Applications for admission for Fall 2026 start are due January 6, 2026. Learn more about applying to the MDes, and join us for an upcoming admissions event!
CREATIVE CAMPUS MAKERSPACE CRAWL
Wednesday, September 24 ⋅ 12:00 – 1:30pm ⋅ RSVP
🎨 Explore the artistic side of making! This crawl showcases creative spaces across campus, beginning with the Jacobs Hall Makerspace and visiting the Library Makerspace, Berkeley Art Studio (Helen Diller Anchor House) and the Art Studio & Creative Lab (MLK Jr. Building). Discover hands-on resources for design and self-expression—and don’t forget comfortable shoes!
Intro to Grasshopper
Friday, September 26, 1—3 PM
Discover the power of parametric design in our beginner-friendly workshop, Introduction to Grasshopper for Rhino 3D. Learn the fundamentals of Grasshopper’s visual programming to create dynamic, complex geometries and unlock new possibilities in architecture, product design, and digital fabrication. Maker Pass required.
Alumni and Parents Weekend at Homecoming: Jacobs Makerspace Open House
Friday, October 3 ⋅ 11:00am – 2:00pm ⋅ First Floor, Jacobs Makerspace
Join the Jacobs staff and student leadership for an open house celebrating UC Berkeley’s Alumni and Parents Weekend at Homecoming! Stop by to explore Cal's state-of-the-art design and fabrication facility at Jacobs Hall. Join a tour at the bottom of every hour between 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Meet with student club leaders who use our space and leave with a fabricated keychain as a souvenir! For more information, visit the Jacobs Institute.
DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES DIGEST
non-Jacobs Institute-affiliated events, opportunities, and programs—at your fingertips.
JOIN MARS HABITAT AT BERKELEY
Mondays 5:00 - 6:00pm ⋅ Campbell Hall 121
Ever wanted to build a Mars rover? Mars Habitat at Berkeley (MHAB) is a student-led team designing and building autonomous rovers for Martian exploration and habitat construction. We're working on everything from mechanical design and robotics to computer vision and simulation. All majors and skill levels are welcome! Scan the QR code to find our meeting times, location, and how to get involved.
Contact: sebasti...@berkeley.edu
The Adobe Creative Apprenticeship
The Adobe Creative Apprenticeship program places aspiring designers, photographers, and video professionals in top creative workplaces to get on-the-job experience and mentorship to help launch their careers.
Below are some program highlights for you to explore:
Free career guides –Take courses, discover local and virtual events, and more to get started on your career journey.
Work with Adobe – Apply for a commissioned freelance project with an Adobe team.
Adobe Creative Apprenticeship – Get paid, hands-on experience working in a top creative workplace with an Adobe employer partner. Here's a video overview of the program where you can learn more.
Wix (the website/portfolio building platform) is hosting a range of virtual webinars this semester about how to build your website/portfolio using their products. They have a new AI-powered “vibe coding” tool called Base44 you might be interested in checking out. If you attend one full session and register with your @berkeley.edu email, you’ll receive 1 year of Wix premium for free!
Forthcoming Book on Designing Automated Futures + Free UX Resources
UC Berkeley UX instructor Stef Hutka is writing a book on designing automated systems that keep humans at the center. Sign up for updates here. You can also follow along with her writing journey on Substack.
In the meantime, Stef’s publisher, Rosenfeld Media, is hosting a series of free UX talks open to everyone. Check them out here.
Questions? Reach out to Stef Hutka at shu...@berkeley.edu.
This newsletter was created with assistance from artificial intelligence to help summarize events and programs.
To add your event to the Jacobs Student Newsletter, please contact Janrey Javier at janrey...@berkeley.edu.
Get your Jacobs Maker Pass and get access to a world-class prototyping and fabrication facility — training and mentorship by professional staff included.
The Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation strives to be a welcoming home for all members of the Berkeley community. We value your ideas, suggestions and concerns. Complete our Jacobs Institute Anonymous Feedback Form.