Design A Doodad:  Solving Human Problems

Design A Doodad: Solving Human Problems

  • ALL AGES

A Philly Tech Week 2025 event

By Design Gym

Date and time

Thursday, May 8 · 2 - 4pm EDT.

Location

Design Gym LLC

179 West Berks Street Studio #101 Philadelphia, PA 19122

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event

About this event

  • Event lasts 2 hours
  • ALL AGES
  • Free venue parking

Human problems come in all scales and applications, we are going to dive into a speedy design charette in groups by introducing (or giving you a refresher) on the design thinking process. Whether you are in UX design, product design, in architecture, or none of the above–the process is similar. For this charette, we’re going to keep things mostly analog to flex that design muscle! We will also introduce you to tools that can help you build cool solutions.

ABOUT DESIGNER(S)

Chitsanzo Lamba-Isaac is an aspiring product manager and a creative soul deeply passionate about design, learning, and the transformative power of technology. With her life’s journey revolving around one purpose: helping people and printing communities. With over fifteen years of experience in various design field, Chits has taught students in both Malawi and the US.

Erike De Veyra, designer, project manager, and founder/head coach of Design Gym, demystifying design to designers of all ages and levels through tools, activities, workshops, experiences, and providing expertise to increase access and representation in the design industry. Erike uses (her twenty years) of training and experience in architecture to design and develop initiatives, public programs, and experiences for clients and the design curious.

Design a Doodad is a Design Gym (@designgym.co ) series of hands-on workshops for all ages that are design-curious, enthusiasts, converted + professionals to learn about design foundation principles in the disciplines of architecture, fashion, graphic + textile design to name a few. Design Gym makes design accessible through tools, activities, projects + experiences because everyone can be a designer. Flex your creativity with us!

Age Requirement: All ages, any youth 14 and under should be accompanied by a grown up

Design Level: [take the quiz!] Ranging from curious, enthusiast, converted + professional

Design Discipline/Interest: UX/UI design, community design, design thinking


LOCATION DESCRIPTION

Accessibility:

  • There is a zero-step entrance into the building with steps and chair lift to bring you to our floor.
  • Upon reaching our floor it ramps down to our studio.
  • The building was an existing building, in our space there is small 1.5- to 3-inch lip between the two areas of our space that has been highlighted with purple light to see the change in levels.
  • One accessible bathroom are available on our floor.
  • Please reach out with other specific accessibility questions or requests and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Available on-site:

  • Two bathrooms on our level, with one (1) accessible bathroom.
  • There is a communal kitchen with a sink, microwave, and a refrigerator.
  • Water fountain and refilling station.


TRAVEL DETAILS

Silk Screen Studios is located in the Norris Square neighborhood in North Philadelphia/Olde Kensington area of Philadelphia.

Walking: Cross-streets of Hancock and Berks.

Biking:

  • Bring your bike into the building, or use the bike room is in the loading dock area along Hancock Street
  • Indego Bike Stations available at 2nd & Norris Sts (2 blocks away), Front & Berks Sts/Berks MFL (3 blocks away)

Accessible via SEPTA:

  • Berks stop on the Market-Frankford Line (3 blocks away)
  • Bus Route: 3 on Berks Street, 57 on N. American Street (2 blocks away)

Driving:

Street parking is available immediately on the block of the building, and two-hour parking north of Berks Street.

Health Precautions:

  • Masks are optional, but are encouraged for any attendees who choose to wear one. We respect our guests choices on this matter.
  • If you are not feeling well, please consider wearing a mask or joining us at the next event.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in my registration?

Two-hour session with introduction + instruction, meeting with guest designer(s), materials and supplies for the workshop, and snacks/beverages.

Can youth/child participate?

Always! These experiences are great for both the grown-up and the youth, pre-school through high school. Youth 7+ years of age will likely be able to utilize all the tools with minimal to no assistance. Younger designers will need some assistance. We encourage a grown-up to enjoy the experience.

Is this like a "paint with a twist" or "arts and crafts" event?

No. It's more! We want you to really flex the inherent designer in you. We look at our workshops like a studio lesson, we discuss about a design discipline(s), learn how to sketch out ideas, prototype/test those ideas, use design tools (depending on the doodad), and construct a doodad to take home.

Can I get a refund if I have to cancel?

Yes, but only 50% of the registration fee when requested 7or more days prior to the event. OR registration can be credited towards future workshop.

Organized by

We aim to make design accessible to everyone through tools, activities, projects, and experiences because everyone can be a designer.

We provide design education, experiences + expertise to increase representation as customers, stewards and/or professionals in the design industry.

Join us to flex your creativity at an upcoming Design A Doodad and professional development workshops, short courses, Open Gym hours, demos + dates, and previews!

We can't wait to meet all the design-curious, enthusiasts, converts, and professionals!

ALL AGES + ALL EXPERIENCES ARE WELCOME.

$20