XA Students Awarded for Creating MSU’s First 24-Hour Designathon

A group of Experience Architecture (XA) students who organized the first-ever MSU Designathon received the Emerging Student Organization Award at the 24^th Annual Student Leadership Excellence Awards Reception, sponsored by the MSU Office of Spartan Experiences in the Division of Student Affairs.

The Emerging Student Organization Award is presented yearly to a newly formed student organization for outstanding efforts and achievement during its first year.

Three students collaborate intently at a table, with one student holding a tablet and pen while the others lean in to view the screen. All are wearing black “MSU Designathon” shirts.

A student in a cap and glasses sits at a table, leaning forward with hands under chin, listening attentively during a group discussion with laptops open. — *Top photo:* Lisa Chai, Rena Huang, and Julius Patto discussing judging for participants during the last few hours of the MSU Designathon. *Bottom left photo:* Students participating in the team match-making activity. *Bottom right photo:* A Computer Science student creates a project called EGG Fluency. *(Photos by Darrian Chen)*

A digital display in the foreground reads “Welcome to the MSU Designathon!” alongside a cartoon character in a green helmet holding a pencil. A video camera is mounted above the screen, and a large group of students is visible in the background — *Top photo:* Lisa Chai, Rena Huang, and Julius Patto discussing judging for participants during the last few hours of the MSU Designathon. *Bottom left photo:* Students participating in the team match-making activity. *Bottom right photo:* A Computer Science student creates a project called EGG Fluency. *(Photos by Darrian Chen)*

The MSU Designathon, held March 22-23, 2025, was Michigan State University’s first-ever 24-hour design sprint. More than 130 students from 10 universities participated in this event, which allowed students of all majors and skill levels to transform creative ideas into real-world solutions. Using skills, such as user experience (UX)/user interface (UI), product design, branding, and problem-solving, students worked together to build innovative, user-centered solutions.

“The MSU Designathon exemplifies the very core of the Experience Architecture program: creativity, collaboration, and a commitment to human-centered design,” said Casey McArdle, Director of the Experience Architecture program and Assistant Professor in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and Cultures. “In creating the Designathon, our students were able to share with peers from across MSU and the region how design can shape meaningful experiences for the world.”

group of eleven students stands side by side, smiling in front of a projection screen displaying colorful cartoon characters. All are wearing matching black t-shirts that read “2025 MSU Designathon,” with name tags and decorative pins. — The team members who created and organized the MSU Designathon. *(Photo by Darrian Chen)*

The XA students who received the Emerging Student Organization Award for their role in organizing the MSU Designathon include Lisa Chai, Rena Huang, Julius Patto, and Alex Guo. They aimed to create a space where their peers could connect and grow as they networked, learned new skills, and built pieces for their portfolios.

“We wanted this event to be more than just a competition; it was about belonging. We aimed to bring various disciplines together to build innovative, user-centered solutions; to learn from one another; and to foster a stronger design community.”
Rena Huang

“Design isn’t just about screens and interfaces — it’s about crafting meaningful experiences,” Huang said. “We wanted this event to be more than just a competition; it was about belonging. We aimed to bring various disciplines together to build innovative, user-centered solutions; to learn from one another; and to foster a stronger design community. To get acknowledgement for what we did shows that we were able to leave an impact on the community.”

As co-founders and co-directors of the MSU Designathon, Chai and Patto established the event when they recognized a lack of resources and opportunities for students within the XA community to show their skills.

A student sits alone at a table, writing on a name tag labeled “Jack.” He wears headphones around his neck and a black “MSU Designathon” shirt.

A woman with long black hair that is pulled back and is wearing glasses and a white v-kneck sweater is sitting at a table with a computer and it looking across at another person with computer.

A group of six students engage in a team discussion in a modern classroom, with one student standing and speaking while the rest sit around laptops. A presentation screen is visible in the background. — *Top left photo:* Jack Bajcz, Experience Team Member, completing the judging rubric for the MSU Designathon. *Top middle photo:* Students participating in the team match-making session. *Top right photo:* Zayd Alghazali, Experience Team Member, during a MSU Designathon workshop. *Bottom photo:* Zach Anderson, Events Team Member, speaking during the Figma Race Workshop, an event where students received hands-on experience in Figma by completing mini design challenges. *(Photos by Darrian Chen)*

Working with their peers to create the event, Chai and Patto assembled a team of 15 students from diverse backgrounds who shared a similar vision and organized them into four groups — Marketing, Experience, Finance, and Events — with each team member playing a crucial role in the event’s success.

Guo served as the finance lead for the event and helped secured $7,000 in sponsorship dollars, with the backing of both local businesses and academic units across campus.

“Our goal was to create a space where students could truly shine — showcasing their skills, connecting with professionals, and seeing what’s possible in the world of design.”
Julius Patto

“Even though MSU’s design community is small, it’s incredibly mighty, full of some of the most talented, adaptable individuals I’ve ever worked with,” Patto said. “We poured our hearts into bringing in speakers and mentors from leading companies like Google, Adobe, Apple, Meta, HP, and Ford, alongside local organizations like CATA and Auto-Owners Insurance. Our goal was to create a space where students could truly shine — showcasing their skills, connecting with professionals, and seeing what’s possible in the world of design. Therefore, receiving this award is truly an honor.”

The 2025 Student Leadership Excellence Awards were presented April 17 at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center. For more information on the awards, see the Student Leadership Award web page.