Design for Extremes
Design for Extremes is a two-day experiential workshop designed to take participants through the process of breaking down a complex problem, turning an idea into an actionable solution, and making a business model for it. This year's event theme is "Prototyping for Better Futures."
When: October 24 and 25, 2025
Where: Design Innovation Hub, REACTOR, Room 150
Who: Students (from any university), faculty, staff and community members
Registration Deadline: October 24, or when maximum capacity is reached
Ycenter two-day programs are truly immersive for participants to learn about Entrepreneurship, Complex Problem Solving and Human-centered design methodology. You will learn, ideate, build and explore new ways to solve real problems using the power of business. You do not need to have a team to participate in this event. Individual registrations are welcome.
The Program
The entire workshop is delivered using Experiential Learning Pedagogy, which means as participants you will be engaging in hands-on activities rather than learning only theories. Get a chance to specifically work on your respective project ideas (if any) or pick a problem statement under the context of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 - 9:30 AM | Registration & Icebreaker |
| 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Complex problem breakdown using human-centered design |
| 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 - 2:30 PM | Using empathy as a primary market research tool |
| 2:30 - 3:30 PM | Secondary research and problem statement verification |
| 3:30 - 4:30 PM | Creating a design brief and turning problem statements into opportunity statements |
| 4:30 - 5:00 PM | Post-event hangout (optional) |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 - 9:30 AM | Registration & debrief from Day 1 |
| 9:30 - 10:30 AM | Creative Thinking Activity 1 |
| 10:30 - 11:30 AM | Creative Thinking Activity 2 |
| 11:30 AM- 12:00 PM | Idea Final Selection |
| 12:00 - 1:00 PM | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 - 3:00 PM | Idea Prototyping |
| 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Storytelling Pitch Technique |
| 4:00 - 5:00 PM | Final Pitch Presentations, Feedback & Next Steps |
Challenge Streams
Participants in Design for Extremes can choose one of three challenge streams to work on developing solutions for. These streams encompass complex, local to global problems.
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Environment
Participants can take on meaningful challenges in the area of environment that promote awareness, innovation, and actionable change. Example areas include climate change, environmental justice or access to housing.
Environment
Participants can take on meaningful challenges in the area of environment that promote awareness, innovation, and actionable change. Example areas include climate change, environmental justice or access to housing.
Environment
Participants can take on meaningful challenges in the area of environment that promote awareness, innovation, and actionable change. Example areas include climate change, environmental justice or access to housing.
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Health & Well-being
Participants can take on meaningful challenges in the areas of health and well-being that promote awareness, innovation, and actionable change. Example areas include mental health, substance abuse, social well-being, community health, innovation and tech-driven health solutions.
Health & Well-being
Participants can take on meaningful challenges in the areas of health and well-being that promote awareness, innovation, and actionable change. Example areas include mental health, substance abuse, social well-being, community health, innovation and tech-driven health solutions.
Health & Well-being
Participants can take on meaningful challenges in the areas of health and well-being that promote awareness, innovation, and actionable change. Example areas include mental health, substance abuse, social well-being, community health, innovation and tech-driven health solutions.
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Education
Participants can take on meaningful challenges in the area of education (higher education, K-12 education and beyond) that promotes awareness, innovation, and actionable change. Example areas include improving student learning outcomes, innovation in education, school culture and engagement, and global and community education.
Education
Participants can take on meaningful challenges in the area of education (higher education, K-12 education and beyond) that promotes awareness, innovation, and actionable change. Example areas include improving student learning outcomes, innovation in education, school culture and engagement, and global and community education.
Education
Participants can take on meaningful challenges in the area of education (higher education, K-12 education and beyond) that promotes awareness, innovation, and actionable change. Example areas include improving student learning outcomes, innovation in education, school culture and engagement, and global and community education.
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