The DISCO mentorship program was created to provide support to members of DLAB to develop their skills as researchers, instructors and leaders regardless of their area of expertise or future career aspirations. The purpose of the program is to facilitate relationships between PhD students and postdoctoral scholars who are further along their career and early career researchers. Such relationships can be helpful for obtaining support as members of the Design Lab develop their trajectories as researchers.  

The mentorship program is mutually beneficial as it provides the mentor the opportunity to share experience and knowledge in an area that the mentee is interested in, which is an intrinsically rewarding experience. The mentor-mentee relationship is built upon mutual trust and open communication. We expect that mentor-mentee pairs will be open to learn from each other.

Participation as mentor and/or mentee
Coordinating social events and workshops for mentors/mentees
Facilitate mentor-mentee matches

DISCO hosts reading groups every two weeks, focusing on papers related to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). We aim to read papers with broad applications in design and HCI. Reading groups help to spark new discussions, assimilate perspectives, and gain inside knowledge. Every two weeks we read a paper chosen by someone. The person choosing the paper informally presents it to start the meeting. Everyone is encouraged  to read the paper beforehand. See here for a list of papers we have read so far: DISCO Reading Groups

Reading Group Lead
Paper Presenter

Dev Hayatpur
  dshayatpur@ucsd.edu

Designed to bridge the gaps between unfamiliar faces, Coffee Roulette provides an opportunity for participants to meet up with other members of the Design Lab they might not have had the chance to meet otherwise. This program brings together students, post doctoral researchers and faculty members for a cup of coffee. Through Coffee Roulette each participant will be matched with two others on a bi-monthly basis. With each coffee rendezvous, we aim to foster a stronger sense of community and belonging.

All graduate and postdoctoral students, as well as faculty and staff affiliated with the Design Lab are encouraged to sign up. Individuals outside the Design Lab are welcome to contact us via email to inquire about participation.

Nazanin Sabri
 nsabri@ucsd.edu

Dollar Lunch Club is a community at UCSD that cooks and eats together in pursuit of food justice through mutual aid and sustainable practices. We are inspired, in part, by Food Not Bombs and the Black Panther Party‘s People’s Free Food Program.
We are composed of graduate and undergraduate students from many departments and backgrounds. We invite faculty, staff, and any other members of the San Diego community who’d like to join us. Food is free for everyone, and people can donate if they’re willing and able. 

We cook lunches (often with beginner cooks, like me! No prior experience required!) several times a week in various department lounges across campus. One of our weekly locations is in the DLAB (3rd floor of the Design Building). We cook largely with food from the Food Recovery Network on campus, and supplement this with groceries (reimbursed with Dollar Lunch Club donations) when necessary.  

Come to lunch 🙂 We love that there’s a place for everyone at Dollar Lunch–people from different departments and all types of backgrounds come, and it’s a great way to meet people from across campus that you might not otherwise see. 

Also, feel free to contact us (email Annapurna) if you’re interested in helping 🙂 We’re always looking for help with cooking, cleaning, gardening, sourcing kitchen equipment, web design, social media, graphics, and more. You can help in any capacity–every week, or just once! It’s whatever you’re excited to give.

Mailing List: https://groups.google.com/g/dollar-lunch-club-ucsd-mailing-list/
Instagram: @dollar_lunch_club
Discord: https://discord.gg/zy6GWtYft2
Website: https://dollar-lunch-club-ucsd.github.io/

Unlocking Creativity, Solving Challenges, and Shaping the Future

Welcome to an exciting journey of exploration and innovation! Our Design Thinking workshop is tailor-made for high school students who are eager to unleash their creativity, tackle real-world problems, and develop solutions that make a difference.

This immersive workshop delves into the fascinating world of Design Thinking and its dynamic applications across various fields. Design Thinking is a problem-solving approach that empowers individuals to think critically, empathetically, and creatively. Through hands-on, project-based activities, participants will gain a deep understanding of humanity-centered design, focusing on creating meaningful and sustainable solutions that resonate with real human behaviors and needs.

Key Highlights

• Interactive Learning: Engage in lively discussions, group activities, and thought-provoking exercises that ignite your creative thinking abilities.
• Real-world Examples: Explore real-life case studies where Design Thinking has led to innovative solutions in areas such as technology, healthcare, education, and more.
• Project-based Approach: Collaborate with peers to work on exciting projects that address pressing challenges faced by individuals and communities.
• Duration Options: Choose from flexible workshop durations, ranging from a few hours to multiple days, based on the curriculum and activity design that suits your learning goals.

As part of the DISCO, we invite graduate students from the Design Lab and faculties to collaborate and enrich this workshop experience. Your involvement could span various aspects, including:

• Sharing Insights: Deliver short talks about your ongoing projects, providing students with a glimpse into cutting-edge design research.
• Curriculum Design: Contribute to shaping the workshop’s curriculum, ensuring it aligns with the latest trends and developments in design thinking.
• Project Exploration: Identify potential projects that resonate with humanity-centered design principles, guiding students through hands-on learning experiences.
• Planning and Organizing: Play a pivotal role in organizing workshop logistics, schedules, and activities to create a seamless learning journey.
• Administrative Support: Assist in the administrative aspects of workshop coordination to ensure its smooth execution.

Why Get Involved 

By participating in this initiative, you’ll have the opportunity to inspire and empower the next generation of creative thinkers. Your expertise will shape young minds and equip them with the tools to drive positive change through design. Additionally, you’ll connect with fellow professionals and educators, fostering a collaborative environment that fuels innovation.

Are you ready to embark on a transformative learning experience and contribute to the growth of budding designers? Join us in exploring the limitless possibilities of Design Thinking and its power to shape a better future.

Anuujin Tsedenbal
  atsedenb@ucsd.edu

DISCO celebrates the start of a new quarter by inviting students, faculty and staff to a happy hour with plenty of food and drink options. These festive events happen on the patio of the second floor of DIB, usually coinciding with live music from the Epstein amphitheater!

All DLAB members (over the age of 21) are welcome to take a break from the mayhem that is the start of a new academic quarter, mingle with fellow lab members, and enjoy quality food and drinks!

Martin Yarmand
 myarmand@ucsd.edu