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Learn How to
Design Real Apps
That Change Lives

Ready to change the world? 
Let us show you how
PRE-REGISTER FOR 2022

Learn How to

Design Real Apps

That Change Lives

Ready to change the world? 
Let us show you how
PRE-REGISTER
Design the Future is an award-winning Design Thinking & STEM summer program that teaches high school students how to design and build products for individuals with disabilities.

The program, created by DC Design and developed in collaboration with the Institute of Design at Stanford University (the d.school), partners teams of high school students and their university design coach with an individual living with a physical disability, whom we call a Project Partner.

Design the Future is an award-winning Design Thinking & STEM summer program that teaches high school students how to design and build products for individuals with disabilities.

The program, created by DC Design and developed in collaboration with the Institute of Design at Stanford University (the d.school), partners teams of high school students and their university design coach with an individual living with a physical disability, whom we call a Project Partner.

Aaditya Pore

“The week I spent at the Design The Future summer camp was one of the most professionally motivating experiences I've had all throughout high school.” 

Anika Jena

“While attending Design The Future last summer, I learned design thinking from awesome coaches and got to know like-minded teens from across the nation.” 

PRE-REGISTER FOR 2022!

Anika Jena

“While attending Design The Future last summer, I learned design thinking from awesome coaches and got to know like-minded teens from across the nation.” 

APPLY NOW!
Design the Future: Digital is the next iteration of this program, offering students from all over the world the chance to participate from their own homes.

In this two-week remote program, students design and launch real apps that improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, all without writing code.

 

Design the Future: Digital is the next iteration of this program, offering students from all over the world the chance to participate from their own homes.

In this two-week remote program, students design and launch real apps that improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. 

LEARN DESIGN THINKING

A powerful process
for innovation and
problem-solving

 

LIFE-CHANGING MENTORSHIP

From Project Partners to developing your product

 

EXPERT GUIDANCE

From design coaches

 
LEARN UX/UI DESIGN

Learn from professional designers

 
BUILD A REAL APP

That changes someone's life

 
MAKE NEW FRIENDS

& design together!

 

We're looking for students who are curious, motivated and want to make the world a better place.

Is that you?

Learn More About Our 2021 Project Apps

 
VIEW 2021 PROJECT APPS
40 + hours of guidance and mentorship by professionals: Designers, university design students, experts in engineering, and more. 
Fantastic speakers in the areas of health, mobility, design, engineering, assistive technology, autonomous living, entrepreneurship, and more
Experience designing
and building a functional app,
while also learning the skills needed
to do it time and time again.
Real-world Design Thinking
knowledge as used and taught by
DC Design and the Stanford University
design school (the d.school)..
Life-changing insights from Project Partners about living with a disability and the importance of designing human-centered products. 
Lasting friendships
and membership in a select community of like-minded peers, all striving to make the world better.
The chance to solve a real problem
that negatively impacts your
Project Partner’s life.
An understanding of UX & UI Design methods like persona creation, storyboarding, wireframing, app layout, app design, and more! 

Possibly, the best experience of your life!

Any student who is in the 8th - 12th grade during the 2021-2022 school year can participate.

As long as they have access to...
  • A Computer or Laptop
  • High-Speed Internet
  • A Webcam (We Use Zoom) 
  • A Good Attitude!

High school students from all across the world will be taking part in Design the Future: Digital! Will you?

Project Partners

The lifeblood of Design the Future.
This program isn’t possible without
them and their commitment to mentoring Design the Future students. They choose to share their gifts with students and it’s a good thing because their life experiences as working professionals,
community volunteers, Olympic athletes, designers, engineers, student mentors, and more help students start to understand life in a different way.

Lead Facilitators

These are the people who run the
program and teach students the
fundamental concepts of Design
Thinking, Design for Disability, and more. They are expert designers and engineers with tons of facilitation experience to boot. You’ll definitely
want to get to know them! 

 

 

 

Design Coaches

Come from all walks of life, from
university students to professional
designers, we source the best mentors for students to gain the wisdom they need to succeed in this program and beyond.

But…Is Design the Future right for me?

Design the Future IS incredible…but it isn’t for everyone. You should only pre-register in our 2022 class if you:

  • Are excited to take on a real-world project with the potential to help other people and make a difference in the world
  • Are excited to finally move beyond the basic class project!
  • Want to make seriously amazing friends with other students from across the United States and around the world.
  • Want to learn and gain mentorship on approaches to college, career, and living a full life from professors, professional designers, college students, and Project Partners living with disabilities.
  • Want to develop a unique story for your college application that showcases your interest
  • Want to be able to commemorate or showcase your learnings through our “Design the Future Certificate of Completion”, which recognizes and celebrates your journey toward new understanding and skills.

If a number of these things get you fired up, let’s get started!

PRE-REGISTER NOW!!
PRE-REGISTER NOW!