Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter: March 12th, 2025
Jacobs Institute Student Newsletter
UPCOMING@JACOBS
Jacobs Institute-organized events, news, and announcements—straight from the source.
Learn about the Berkeley Certificate in Design Innovation
Friday, March 14th | 3:00pm to 4:00pm | RSVP | Zoom Link
Do you enjoy design? Did you know you can gain an undergraduate certificate in Design Innovation at Berkeley?
The Berkeley Certificate in Design Innovation (BCDI) assumes that innovation does not come from just one area of study, but requires the integration of many modes of technology, knowledge, and thought. Join this zoom to learn more about the BCDI and have your questions about fulfilling certificate requirements, Summer 2025 course list, Fall 2025 Phase I enrollment, future course availability, and more!
Career Conversation with Nuoran Chen: On Breaking Barriers in Design
March 14, 3-4pm
Virtual event will be held on Zoom; here is the join link
The Jacobs Institute is pleased to host our very own Nuoran Chen, Berkeley MDes ‘23 alum and Associate Product Designer at The New York Times, for a compelling talk on breaking barriers in design—both for underserved audiences and as a designer navigating challenges in a new country. With a background in Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Nuoran’s passion for inclusive design evolved from physical spaces to the digital realm during his time at MDes. Now at The New York Times, he continues to advocate for inclusive design by contributing to the company’s internal design system, ensuring accessibility and equity are embedded in digital experiences. He’ll share his journey of designing for the “worst-off” audience, overcoming his own language and cultural barriers as an international designer, and balancing career aspirations with real-world constraints. Whether you’re interested in inclusive design or navigating a career in a new country, this talk will offer insights and inspiration for designers at all stages.
Career Conversation with Maanasa Sivashankar: On Designing Impactful Services
March 17, 12-1pm | Jacobs Institute, Room 310
RSVP here | Lunch will be served!
The Jacobs Institute is pleased to host Maanasa Sivashankar, Senior Service Designer at the San Francisco Mayor's Office of Innovation, for an engaging exploration of her career journey from architecture to service design. Maanasa will share how her background in spatial design shapes her approach to solving complex, systems-level challenges. She will break down what service design is and will present two case studies of high-impact projects she’s worked on for marginalized populations—one from the private sector and one from the public sector. Maanasa will also reflect on what makes this work both impactful and rewarding. Whether you’re curious about service design or passionate about solving complex societal problems through human-centered design, this talk is for you!
Design Field Notes: Virj Kan, Founder & CEO, Primitives Biodesign
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
10 AM via Zoom
Virj Kan is a designer, engineer, artist, and founder of Primitives Biodesign, a b-corp company that produces advanced materials to drive nature and ecosystem restoration. Working at the intersection of business, technology, and art, she engineers innovative materials that transform how we interact and relate to the environment. Her research in the field of human-computer
Career Conversation with Lucy Greco: On Making Technology More Inclusive
Mar 21, 12-1pm | Jacobs 310
RSVP HERE | Lunch will be served.
Join us for an inspiring talk by Lucy Greco, a renowned accessibility evangelist at UC Berkeley, who has dedicated her career to making technology more inclusive. Blind since birth and a lifelong tech enthusiast, Lucy has worked on everything from websites and mobile apps to video games and kiosks, ensuring they are accessible to all. She’ll share her journey into the world of accessibility and the excitement of working on projects with real impact. Lucy will also highlight the critical role designers play in creating accessible experiences and how they can integrate accessibility into their design process. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, ask questions, and gain a new perspective on designing for everyone! Lunch will be served.
APPLICATIONS LIVE: SU25 Berkeley Engineering Design Scholars
The Berkeley Engineering Design Scholar Program is a 10-week summer research program open to all continuing UC Berkeley undergraduates in the College of Engineering or with relevant experience in design innovation. This program aims to increase diversity in the field of design and provide underrepresented students with research experience they may not have had otherwise. The Scholars actively contribute to the growing design ecosystem at UC Berkeley—participating in seminars, workshops, and special events with members of the design community, including their cohort of fellow undergraduate Design Scholars, graduate students, and faculty. In addition, they learn and practice critical skills of making through the Maker Pass program. Scholars also receive a $6,500 stipend. The per week commitment will fluctuate, but students should prepare to be able to commit at least 20 hours/week towards research.
We are offering the Berkeley Engineering Design Scholar Program as an in-person, on-campus experience in summer 2025, starting June 2nd and ending August 8th. For more information, please watch this recording of one of our information sessions that includes a previous alumni of the program.
Apply for the 2025 Berkeley Engineering Design Scholar Program by Friday, March 21st. Scholars will be matched with faculty mentors once they are accepted into the program. To learn more about the program, please contact Janrey Javier (janrey...@berkeley.edu). Learn more about the Scholars from prior cohorts here.
The International Symposium on Academic Makerspaces (ISAM) 2025 // Call for Papers, Posters & Demos
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 Papers, Posters and Demonstrations is open now! Find out more & register to attend at https://isam2025.hemi-makers.org.
Get creative this semester in the Jacobs Makerspace!
Maker Pass registration is open to ALL UC Berkeley students, staff and faculty and is only $125 per semester (fee waivers available!). Personal projects welcome; the opportunities to design, make and fabricate are practically endless! Plenty of support is available to learn how to operate exciting tools and achieve the results you desire. Attend workshops (see below) and get hands-on training! Learn more here.
Jacobs Institute Anonymous Feedback Form
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.
SP25 Jacobs Hall Drop-in Makerspace Tours
Tuesdays, 1pm, 1:20pm, 1:40pm
Wednesdays, 11am, 11:20am, 11:40am
Thursdays, 12pm, 12:20pm, 12:40pm
Jacobs Hall, West Lobby, Student Welcome Center (103 Jacobs)
Curious to learn more about what the Jacobs Institute has to offer? Join us for a 10 minute tour to learn about the Jacobs Hall Maker Pass and get a tour of the Jacobs Hall Makerspace. Meet our Design Specialists and learn about upcoming workshops and other opportunities to get involved with the vibrant, interdisciplinary student community that you can take part of at Jacobs. Please check in at the Student Welcome Center, located in 103 Jacobs in the west lobby of Jacobs Halloff the Etcheverry Hall breezeway.
DESIGN OPPORTUNITIES DIGEST
non-Jacobs Institute-affiliated events, opportunities, and programs—at your fingertips.
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Don’t miss out! Subscribe to the Jacobs Student Engagement calendar and keep track of all Jacobs happenings in your bCal. For inquiries regarding weekly newsletters, please contact Janrey Javier at janrey...@berkeley.edu
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.