Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter: May 21st, 2025
Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter
UPCOMING@JACOBS
Jacobs Institute-organized events, news, and announcements—straight from the source.
International Symposium on Academic Makerspaces - ISAM 2025
Adam Savage Joins ISAM 2025 as Keynote Speaker
Posters and Demos Proposals Due 5/23 DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 5/30
The Jacobs Institute for Design Innovation and UC Berkeley are the proud hosts of the 9th annual International Symposium on Academic Makerspaces (ISAM) 2025 this coming August 6-8, 2025. Over a span of 3 days, 300+ faculty, staff, student, and industry leaders from across the globe will gather to share makerspace knowledge, experience and inspiration in order to maximize impact on the student learning experience and alumni success. Have knowledge to share? The Call for Posters and Demonstrations is open for another 9 days! Learn more & register to attend at https://isam2025.hemi-makers.org.
Evolutionary Design: A Conversation with Eugene Tssui
Monday, June 9 @ 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Jacobs Hall, Rm. 310
As part of SF Design Week, the UC Berkeley Master of Design (MDes) hosts faculty member Pierluigi Dalla Rosa and visionary architect Dr. Eugene Tssui for a conversation on how designers (and humanity at large) can chart new paths forward through evolutionary thinking.
Dr. Tssui harnesses the ingenuity of the natural world in his multidisciplinary practice that spans architecture, fashion design, hand-painted renderings, and music. His work offers bold alternatives to technological sameness, creative specialization, and cultural homogenization.
Pierluigi Dalla Rosa brings a complementary perspective shaped by his work designing novel interfaces and his teaching at Berkeley MDes, where he encourages students to treat technology not as a given, but as a material to question, shape, and reimagine.
Together, Dalla Rosa and Tssui will examine how the rapid proliferation of emerging technologies is influencing creative practice and planetary well-being, and what it might look like to resist that tide.
Free for SF Design Week passholders.
Get Projects Done this Summer at the Jacobs Makerspace
Skill up this summer and take advantage of relaxed summer vibes at UC Berkeley's state of the art makerspace. Use digital fabrication or good old fashioned analog tools to get ahead of your holiday gift giving, build that furniture, or further that research! Passes are just $125 (fee waivers available) and include training, access to our materials store, and support from our Design Specialists. Register here.
Makerspace Hours for Summer 2025:
May. 27 – Aug. 15:
Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday, CLOSED
Key Dates for Summer 2025:
Maker Pass & JPS registrations open: May 20
JPS service begins: May 27
Makerspace access begins: May 27
Hands-on trainings begin: TBD
Academic holiday (no makerspace access): June 19
Hands-on trainings end: TBD
Academic holiday (no makerspace access): July 4
Last day to submit JPS jobs: Aug. 8
Last day to pick up JPS jobs: Aug. 15
Last day to access makerspace: Aug. 15
For group tour requests, please complete the Jacobs Institute Group Tour Request form. For individual tour requests, please reach out to Janrey Javier at janrey...@berkeley.edu.
FA25 Innovation Catalysts Applications NOW OPEN
Every semester, students bring a wide range of innovative projects to life at Jacobs Hall and throughout Berkeley’s vibrant design ecosystem. The Jacobs Institute Innovation Catalysts, made possible by Deborah Weisser, Ben Gomes, and the Eustace-Kwan Family Foundation, is a student grant program that provides an avenue for these ambitious student innovators to unlock further potential in their projects. Berkeley students are invited to propose projects that they aim to develop over the course of a semester. Selected grantees will work on their projects with the support of resources from the Jacobs Institute and as part of a cohort of fellow student innovators. Apply today!
Upcoming Information Sessions
Info Session #1: Wednesday, June 4⋅11:00am – 12:00pm | Zoom
Info Session #2: Tuesday, June 10⋅1:00 – 2:00pm | Zoom
Info Session #3: Monday, June 16⋅10:00 – 11:00am | Zoom
Fall 2025 Program Timeline:
Application Closes: Tuesday, July 1st, 9AM PST
Program Kick-off: Monday, September 22nd
Project Introductions: Monday, September 29th
Mid-Term Check-in: Monday, November 3rd
Program Wrap-up: Monday, December 1st
Jacobs Design Showcase: Wednesday, December 10th-Thursday, December 11th
NEWLY LISTED SUMMER COURSE!
DES INV 22 - Prototyping & Fabrication (3 units)
Session C (June 23 - August 15) | Tuesdays and Thursdays 12-3pm | 3 units | 220 Jacobs Hall
This course teaches concepts, skills and methods required to design, prototype, and fabricate physical objects. Each week relevant techniques in 2D and 3D modeling and fabrication are presented, along with basic electronics. Topics include a range of prototyping and fabrication techniques including laser-cutting, 3D modeling and 3D printing, soldering, and basic circuits.
DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES DIGEST
non-Jacobs Institute-affiliated events, opportunities, and programs—at your fingertips.
UC Berkeley AI Hackathon 2025 is Coming!
June 21-22, 2025
Apply for the one-of-a-kind UC Berkeley AI Hackathon, organized by Hackathons @ Berkeley. For 36 hours, you’ll have access to some of the coolest hacking tools on the planet. The world is at your fingertips… what will you build?
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 — plus training and mentorship! AND YES, THERE IS A SUMMER MAKER PASS!
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.