designExplorr

One of our favorite moments from CSU Design Week was watching students discover that branding starts with who you are. ✨

Using Adobe Illustrator, they created designs inspired by their own personalities, interests, passions, and unique perspectives. Along the way, they learned that every color, font, shape, and design choice helps tell a story.

More than creating graphics, they explored how design can communicate identity, ideas, and purpose. It was inspiring to see each student transform their creativity into something meaningful and uniquely their own.

The best brands are authentic—and these young designers reminded us of that every step of the way.

Today’s lesson proved that design doesn’t have to stand still.

Students explored motion graphics, learning how movement, timing, and animation can completely transform a design. Combined with another round of Adobe Illustrator, they continued building technical skills while thinking creatively. The day wrapped up with presentations from professional architects, reminding students that design lives everywhere from our screens to the buildings around us.

The energy today was unmatched.

Students continued building their Adobe Illustrator skills, stepped into the world of motion graphics, and heard directly from professional architects about how creativity impacts the communities around us. From digital design to the built environment, today’s conversations reminded students that creativity has no limits.💯

One workshop. One conversation. One idea. Sometimes that’s all it takes to inspire the next generation of designers.

Looking back on another incredible day from CSU Design Week. ✨

For many of our students, it was a day filled with firsts—their first campus tour, first design challenge, and first time opening Adobe Illustrator.

Every click, every question, and every "Can I try this?" was a step toward building confidence. It wasn't about creating something perfect—it was about being curious, trying something new, and discovering what they're capable of.

That's what CSU Design Week is all about: creating opportunities for students to explore, experiment, and see themselves as future designers.

Last week, our students continued expanding their creative toolkit!

The day began with Adobe Illustrator and motion graphics, where students discovered how movement can transform a simple design into a powerful visual story. As they experimented with animation, they explored how motion communicates emotion, captures attention, and brings ideas to life. Every activity encouraged them to think beyond static images and embrace new ways of visual storytelling.

"I never thought I would enjoy myself this much." ❤️
— CSU Design Week Student

In the afternoon, students learned from professional architects who shared how creativity, collaboration, and design shape the buildings and communities we experience every day. Watching students ask thoughtful questions and connect classroom concepts to real-world careers was one of the highlights of the week.

Looking back, CSU Design Week was filled with moments of curiosity, creativity, and discovery—experiences that will continue to inspire our students long after the week ended.

Day 2 was all about getting hands-on and stepping into the world of design! Students kicked off the day with a tour of CSU’s Creativity and Arts Center, where they explored the spaces where innovation and creativity come to life. They then put their problem-solving skills to the test during a design challenge, proving that there isn’t just one “right” answer great design is all about thinking differently.

The afternoon was spent diving into Adobe Illustrator, where students learned the fundamentals of vector design and began creating digital artwork using industry-standard software. From first clicks to first creations, today was filled with curiosity, collaboration, and plenty of “I didn’t know I could do that!” moments. 🤓

Create. Explore. Connect.

These three words became more than a theme—they became the experience.

Throughout CSU Design Week, students collaborated, shared ideas, explored new perspectives, and discovered that the best creativity happens when people learn together. Every conversation, sketch, and challenge helped build not only design skills, but confidence and community.

This is what design education is all about.

What an incredible week at CSU Design Week! ✨

From hands-on workshops and creative challenges to learning directly from industry professionals, our students embraced every opportunity to explore, create, and grow. Throughout the week, they built confidence, discovered new skills, and gained a deeper understanding of the many paths a future in design can offer.

We're so proud of everything they accomplished and grateful to everyone who helped make this experience possible. Here's to the next generation of creative thinkers and designers! 💻

We love sharing resources to learn more about design for the new, young, novice, practicing, and lifelong learners. Today we are highlighting the Design Diversity Index. This report was produced with , , and to track the number of people of color in architecture, landscape architecture, graphic design, industrial design, interior design, and urban planning in Ohio’s schools and professions. Take a look at the report in its entirety at http://www.designdiversity.org/index. Reach out to us if you and/or your organization are interested in creating an Index for your creative community.