Connecting socially-driven businesses with UX students
to make a better world through design.
Our Mission
We help UX students partner with socially driven organizations and use design thinking to problem solve.
Program Details
Timeline: 1-3 months of dedicated UX work (part-time or full-time)
Location: Anywhere, we're remote!
Program Structure: Each UX student is paired with an organization, and residency advisor. The residency advisor will help start the initial conversation scoping the project between the organization and UX student, and provide advising throughout the 1-3 month period.
Kick-Off Meeting: Meeting between the UX student, organization, and residency advisor to define goals and scope of the project.
Weekly Meetings: Early week check-ins on goals and progress.
Mid-Report: A semi-formal presentation to share the progress of the project and any help needed.
Final Report: Final recommendations and next steps for the project.
Program Outcome: After the end of the program the UX student will produce a digital report, tailored to be a sharable portfolio project, and also sharable IP for the organization to use and implement.
Resident advisors are also available to help make the next step into a longer-term position through resume, portfolio, and recruiter networking workshops.
Our program is under-redevelopment so no new sessions at the moment but please feel free to stay in touch if you're interested and we will reach out when we have more program updates.
Questions
What type of 'UX' work is supported?
The term "UX" can cover a broad range of skills, we have advisors who can help support topics including:
Researchers
(UXR) User-experience researchers
(DEI) Accessibility + DEI researchers and designers
(HF) Human-factors researcher (working with physical products or architectural spaces)
Designers
(UI/UX) User-experience designers
Service designers
Graphic designers
Strategists
IoT and futurist designers + strategists
Sustainability services (Product LCA, material analysis, etc.)
Initial product experience (onboarding, first time experiences)
Hybrids
(CX) Customer experience designers and researchers
(HF) Automation + process improvement engineers (human-factors)
Mixed-methods researchers
Hybrid designer/researcher
Design strategists
How much does this cost?
This is a volunteer based program, it is free to apply and join.
We are working on applying for grants and stipends to help compensate UXers for their time spent on the project, for now compensation will be dependent on the organization we are working with.
Where is the residency located?
Work from anywhere.
Unlike a traditional residency program you are able to complete the full program from anywhere with internet connection. Traditional residencies provide a housing location, or a requirement to be on-site, which is something we are looking into for the future if there is interest.
As a non-profit or socially driven business, how do I get matched with a UX professional?
Once we understand your organizations needs, first through a form, then a follow-up meeting, and the potential impact that someone could have in a 1-3 month time frame we will help match you with an interested UX professional with the right skill set.
I'm a small business, can I still apply to the program?
Yes!
We support local businesses and mom-and-pop shops as well.
Who are the resident advisors?
The resident advisors are volunteers coming from primarily the Design, Tech, and Academic industries, with 10+ years of experience, in a variety of UX and design roles.
The program is always looking for more advisors, if you're interested in learning more about advisory roles, please reach out!