Competition graphic image showing the 2020 challenge question in different languages
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2020 Design Challenge
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For students

Need help getting started?

Here are some resources to ignite your creative thinking:

 

Brainstorming Tips:

  • THINK ABOUT THE BREADTH OF HUMAN DIVERSITY
    Start by thinking about the breadth of human diversity—people of different genders, languages, cultures, and more. What are some ways that already help people feel included? How might these ways be improved on to help even more people feel like they belong? What are some obstacles that make people feel excluded? What are some ways to overcome those obstacles?
  • WHO WILL USE YOUR DESIGN?
    It may help to start by thinking about people in your life—you, your family, your friends—who might you know that has faced an obstacle that made them feel excluded? This could be in any setting—from going to school or work, to enjoying activities in your neighborhood or while traveling, to communicating with family, friends, or even someone they don’t know. How might you help them feel like they belong? And how might you help even more people feel included in this context?
  • TALK TO YOUR AUDIENCE
    Is it possible to talk to your intended user(s) about their experiences with the obstacle you are addressing in your design? Have you incorporated their needs into your design? Could you share or test your design with your intended user(s)? Talking to your user(s) may lead to new ideas that you hadn’t considered before

 

Online Design Process Q&A Session

Need help navigating through the design process? Take a look at this video from our January 17, 2018 Design Process Q&A session with Target designers. Email us at DesignCompetition@si.edu to be notified of our next Q&A session.

For teachers

I WANT TO LET MY STUDENTS KNOW ABOUT THE COMPETITION.

Thanks! You can download this poster (color or B/W) for your classroom or school bulletin board or email us at DesignCompetition@si.edu to send you a hard copy.

I want to make this a class project.

Great! We’ve created lesson plans and resource documents below. Follow the lesson step-by-step or utilize what fits with your needs. PLEASE NOTE: Individual and team entries will be accepted for the competition, but team size is limited to three students.

You can also explore Cooper Hewitt’s Smithsonian Learning Lab collections.

Email us to let us know that you plan to use the design competition in your classroom.