Activism + Design

Program overview

Students transform their community passions into digital impact by designing websites for social causes, blending storytelling, user-centered design, and foundational web development skills. This program emphasizes the power of thoughtful design and narrative, teaching students how to communicate purpose, inspire action, and amplify community voices online. By centering impact first and technology second, students learn that design is not just aesthetic—it is a tool for advocacy and change.

Program details

Who is this program for?

This program is ideal for students passionate about social issues, storytelling, art, or communication. It welcomes beginners and focuses more on design thinking and narrative development than coding experience. No prior computer science experience is required.

What will students learn?

Students will identify a social cause they care about and design a website to raise awareness or inspire action. They will craft compelling narratives, define their target audience, design layouts and visual hierarchies, and build a functional site that communicates their message clearly and effectively.

Students will present their final projects, explaining both the design choices and the impact they hope to create.

What will students learn?

Students will learn how to transform passion into digital advocacy through strategic storytelling and intentional design. They will develop skills in audience analysis, wireframing, visual communication, and practical site-building, while understanding how digital platforms can mobilize communities and influence change.

What is the class format?

This program can be delivered as a one-day immersive workshop, a weekend design sprint, or a multi-session series. Each format combines guided instruction with hands-on design time, allowing students to develop and present a completed advocacy website.