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We're living in a time where new technologies—AI, AR/VR, spatial computing—are rapidly reshaping how we live, work, and connect. But many of these systems are still hard to use, confusing, or not designed for everyone.
This year's challenge is to design for the unknown: create a solution that helps people navigate uncertainty. That could mean supporting new users, edge cases, or entirely new systems.
Your goal is to make the future less overwhelming and more human. Design for what doesn't exist yet.
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Participating in this designathon has been a challenging yet fulfilling experience that sharpened my ability to think on my feet, iterate quickly, and deliver effective design solutions under pressure, as well as enhance my ability to work in a cross-functional team. We had a variety of backgrounds and expertise, from Computer Science to Physics, and teammates much more experienced in VR/AR technology than I was.
We brainstormed several ideas, ultimately combining our ideas and focusing on a final vision: a flood relief app that uses AR to guide residents away from flood dangers and towards safety.
1-Day Designathon Project | Role: UI/UX Lead | 2025
Flash floods in areas like California are becoming more intense and unpredictable due to climate change. Traditional tools like Google Maps fail during these emergencies—they don't account for elevation, flood depth, or real-time shelter access. Residents, especially those on foot, struggle to assess safe routes and reach higher ground in critical moments, especially when flood depth can be visually misleading.
How might we create an intuitive mobile app that helps people: