Design@Large 2025: A Summer of Possibilities

This summer, members of Cohort 5 embarked on their Design@Large journeys immersing themselves in design, research, and innovation across different industries. From crafting intuitive interfaces and sustainable systems to building startups and advancing design for good, their experiences reflect the program’s commitment to shaping versatile, impact-driven designers.

The students’ experiences were showcased through a range of Design@Large panels, each highlighting different pathways MDes students explored. Here’s a look at the wide spectrum of professional directions that defined Cohort 5’s summer.

Breaking into Big Tech: Developing a Standout Resume and Portfolio

Several MDes students landed internships at major tech companies such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, where they brought human-centered thinking to large-scale digital systems. Darlene Chen, Hannah Park, Sun-Q Kim, and Sharon Zhao shared insights on developing strong portfolios, navigating the interview process, and translating design skills into impactful user experiences.

Design For Good: MDes Students Designing for People and Planet

Through the Design for Good Grant, students pursued projects focused on social and environmental change. Abdi Ambari collaborated with refugee communities to build an AI platform for empowerment; Hongxi Pan developed a sustainable materials visualization tool for architecture; Nora Chenjun Guo advanced educational AI tools; Roopa Ramanujam explored accessible material innovation; and Yule Kim designed a mental health support system grounded in empathy and trust.

MDes Founder Journeys

Designers make exceptional founders and several MDes students proved just that. Shyras Bhurat, Isabella Wang, and Aarya Harkare shared how they built ventures like Invesho AI and FastLane for Snap Inc, demonstrating how design thinking and entrepreneurial spirit can merge to launch impactful startups.

Landing a Research Position

Some students used their Design@Large experience to explore the academic side of design. Rani Sheth conducted research in the Embodied Dexterity Group and Hybrid Ecologies Lab; Shyras Bhurat worked at the Space Sciences Lab; and Josh Jang joined the Spatial Interaction & Interaction Design Lab at Texas A&M. Their work bridged design, science, and technology to push the boundaries of research-driven design.

All About Consulting

Consulting provided another exciting avenue for MDes students to apply their design skills across industries. Shanna Finnigan at IA Collaborative and Sylvie Weintraub at Grand Studio shared how design consulting fosters agility, strategic thinking, and creative problem-solving in fast-paced environments.

Design → Product Management

For students eager to take on leadership roles, Product Management offered a unique path to integrate design strategy with business impact. Tian Qin (L’Oréal), Jiawen Chen and Siyuan Zhang (TikTok), and Jieru Lin (Manifold Ventures) discussed managing cross-functional teams, balancing creative vision with product goals, and using design principles to inform decision-making.

You Can Go Your Own Way

Some students chose to customize their Design@Large experience to fit their own ambitions. Hanna Khoury, Omar Mohammad, and Kaylee Jung created independent research and prototyping projects that allowed them to experiment freely while deepening their technical and creative skills.

How to Land a UX Design Internship

UX design remained a key focus area for many Cohort 5 students. Lauryn Wright, Jiaqi Wang, Jeongmin Lee, Precious Aghaeze, and Upasana Pradhan reflected on their internship experiences across diverse organizations — from Bible Study Fellowship to Robinhood and Optym — offering practical advice on portfolio presentations, whiteboard challenges, and thriving in collaborative design environments.

Design Roles Off the Beaten Path

Other students ventured into emerging fields that stretch traditional definitions of design. Xiao Peng (XPENG Motors), Yingying Chen (Nike), Chantal Martinez (Carbon3D), and Roopa Ramanujam (Common Sense Media) explored design roles at the intersection of technology, computation, and material innovation, showing how design continues to evolve across new frontiers.

This was really a summer of possibilities! From AI-driven platforms to tangible prototyping, academic research to entrepreneurial ventures, this year’s Design@Large cohort demonstrated the depth and diversity of what it means to be a designer today. Their experiences remind us that design is not just a discipline, but a mindset that adapts, questions, and redefines the world around it.