UCI Design-a-thon 2026

Each year, Design at UCI hosts the largest collegiate design hackathon in Southern California, bringing together hundreds of students from across the nation to design, prototype, and pitch innovative products over the course of three days. This year, we’re thrilled to present Designathon 2026, where 300+ designers, technologists, and creatives will explore the future of design in an age shaped by AI, immersive tech, and rapidly evolving interaction models - reimagining how we recover, reconnect with, and rediscover the ideas, experiences, and moments that might otherwise be lost. Our theme, 'Lost & Found,' invites participants to imagine a digital cosmos for the undiscovered and the overlooked - where fragments of who we are, from ideas and memories to connections and experiences, drift through space until they’re rediscovered. Designers are encouraged to rethink interfaces, systems, and experiences to help people recover meaningful moments, ideas, and connections that might otherwise disappear into the void. Join us April 24-26, 2026, for workshops, socials, late-night ideation sessions, and conversations with industry leaders from Apple, Amazon, Squarespace, and more. Participants will select one of three tracks, each with its own unique prompt and corresponding prizes. Additional awards include People’s Choice, Most Novel Design, and Beginner’s Prize. More information on our website: ucidesignathon.com.