Start Something Design/Shift: Design-a-thon

Design/Shift is a fast-paced, high-impact design-a-thon where creative thinking powers real-world change. In one intensive day, student design teams partner directly with nonprofit organizations to tackle real branding challenges — translating mission, values, and community impact into bold, usable visual identities. Guided by professional designers and faculty mentors, teams move quickly from discovery to concept to pitch, competing to deliver the most compelling solution.

Design/Shift isn’t a classroom exercise; it’s a live, civic-minded design experience that mirrors professional practice while proving how thoughtful design can fuel change that matters.

In this year's event, 140 students from Iowa State and several other Iowa colleges and universities will work together in teams to develop logos and brand identities for 12 Iowa nonprofit organizations. Several teams will be assigned to each nonprofit and will compete to have their logo concepts selected by the organization for further development.