Registration is open for November 6–8. Grab a spot ↗
November 6–8, 2026

WashUXDesignathon

48 Hours. One Challenge. Endless Ways to Create.

Bring an idea or just bring yourself. Form a team, pick a problem, and build something real in a weekend.

November 6–8, 2026 Washington University in St. Louis

A design challenge against the clock. You take one idea from problem to prototype in 48 hours.

You don’t need it figured out. Bring curiosity and a willingness to make.

48 hours to make something.

01

Find your people

Come with a team or find one here.

02

Explore a problem

Dig into the challenge and figure out what actually matters.

03

Design & build

Sketch, prototype, test, and keep pushing it forward.

04

Share your work

Present to judges, get feedback, celebrate what you made.

Three days, start to finish.

Hover a time to trace the day

Opening Ceremony

Mini Workshop / Keynote

Networking + Team Formation

Designathon Begins

Morning Check-In + Breakfast

Work Session

Lunch + Mentor Reviews

Work Session

AMA with Industry Guest

Dinner + Recharge

Open Work Session

Final Work Session + Breakfast

Project Submission Deadline

Lunch + Initial Judging

Final Presentations + Q&A

Closing Ceremony + Awards

Schedule is subject to change.

You don’t have to be a designer.

The best teams aren’t made of people with the same skills. Bring what you’re good at.

DesignersDevelopersArtistsWritersResearchersBusiness studentsFirst-yearsSeniorsFirst-timersDesignersDevelopersArtistsWritersResearchersBusiness studentsFirst-yearsSeniorsFirst-timers

Mentors and makers, all weekend.

Designers, developers, and industry guests are around all weekend for feedback, workshops, and AMAs. Ask questions, get unstuck, keep moving.

Mentors & speakers announced soon

What you’ll leave with.

A project

Something you can be proud to put in your portfolio.

New skills

Learn through workshops, mentorship, experimentation, and doing.

New connections

Meet students and professionals who share your interests.

A community

Find people who want to make, learn, and build alongside you.

Maybe even a prize

Compete for awards and recognition across multiple categories.

Built with people who back new ideas.

We’re partnering with companies that back creativity and the next generation of designers.

Sponsors to be announced.

48 hours goes by fast.

Bring an idea and your friends. We’ll bring the challenge.

November 6–8, 2026