EUREKA! 2015 Interdisciplinary Collaborative Initiative for Social Change

September 17-19 was an intense weekend for the 37 selected School of Design participants for the EUREKA! Blitz.

Led by Industrial Designer and User Experience Expert facilitator Jim Couch and Alumni Assistant Danielle Smith, the 8 teams investigated ways to assist city youth in making healthier life choices. We were assisted and hosted by the City of Rochester Ryan Recreation Center.

Most of the teams concepts involved the creation of mentoring initiatives and opportunities for city youth to shadow successful role models.

The objective of this annual event is to provide the opportunity for School of Design students to work together in the pursuit of initiating social change through the power of design.

More information on the blitz is provided on eurekarit.tumblr.com
and in the video.

Here is the entire crew after the Presentations at the ROC Ryan Center!

Branding for EUREKA! 2015 was created by Joe Hodapp.

Please enjoy the official 2015 EUREKA! video!
Videographer, Alex Freeman

Teams get acquainted with their city youth mentors at a casual gathering before the initial presentation by facilitator Jim Couch.



This team included Rikesh Mistry, Kelsey DeBree, Mimi Ace and Jeremy Eyster.

Joe Hodapp and his team's mentor meet at the initial gathering in Booth Hall 3310.

The message of facilitator Jim Couch's presentation on design as a process and not merely an outcome.

A team strategizes in the library of the Ryan Recreation Center.



From left: Jenna Ammerall, Doug Huang, a staff member, Ethan Young and Annie Wong.

A team devises some strategies at the Ryan Recreation Center.



From left: Eliana Jacobs, Pauline Dziama, Danielle Marino and Liah Perez.

The team of Akankasha Vishwakarma, Marcus Eisendorf, Matthew Brown and Sabrina Nichols

takes a break outside the Ryan Recreation Center.

Our talented videographer, Alex Freeman, shows the team some footage.



From left: Matthew Brown, mentor Jonathan, Alex, and Marcus Eisendorf.

One of the teams celebrating after the presentations in the gym at the Ryan Recreation Center.



From left: Wei Wei Huang, Michael Kelly, Joe Hodapp and Natalie Migliore.

Promotional graphics and t shirt design for the event were created by Joe Hodapp.

Industrial Design Lecturer Bruce Leonard, Facilitator Jim Couch and Alumni Assistant Danielle Smith relax after the presentations.