Dear San Francisco
Twenty-six students, primarily from the McCormick School of Engineering and the Medill School of Journalism, had the opportunity to participate in this immersive program. Through the design courses, students engaged with dynamic individuals and organizations in the Bay Area, including class visits from folks at Apple, Meta, and startups, along with partnering with TikTok for the Design Practicum course. I had the opportunity to return as a professor for the program for the 3rd year to teach UX Design and a Design Practicum course.
Here are a few snippets of feedback from students in the program:
"UX and Design Practicum were transformative for me and changed the way I design."
"I think being in San Francisco in this program allowed me to truly immerse myself in the design mindset. I felt comfortable taking risks and trying things I had never done before."
"The Design Practicum has been one of my favorite classes ever. From having a group that gelled well together, to our in-person discussions that encouraged the wildest of ideas and even getting to interact with an organization like TikTok, I had an amazing time and am very grateful for the experience."
Take a look at photos recapping elements of the program below.
Students in DSGN395 traveled to San Jose for the final presentations at project partner TikTok.
The design classroom was a happy hive of activity throughout the quarter.
The Corner Makery West, a student maker space equip with a sewing machine, 3D printer, and laser cutter, was in use almost constantly. Several students came back even after the term was over (and grades were in!) to make "just one more thing."
A memorable moment was a team bringing online ads to life through a skit, complete with guitar strumming and literal pop-up ads.
Over the course of the term, students learn to articulate what makes design good or bad in their view.
Mindmapping is a technique for helping introverts have an equal say at the brainstorming table, so to speak.
One journalism student expressed the emotion he felt in reading the news as an art installation in the space at 44 Montgomery. Pictured is Ian Lei with his piece called Information Overload.
Optional cultural excursions included attending a show called "Dear San Francisco" (described as an acrobatic love letter to the city) with performers from Cirque de Soleil.
Students had opportunities to take part in design lectures at CCA (California College of the Arts), including this talk from one of the original members of the design team at Apple, Joy Mountford.
Faculty across the winter programs at NUSF gathered for a dinner to swap notes on teaching and get to know each other.
