Improving the campus experience at the University of Toronto through student-led design
In this blog, Brooklin reflects on the November Innovation Hour event which focused on engagement and belonging for diverse students. Discussions during the first event highlighted a shared belief that meaningful inclusion exists primarily in the services, spaces, and personal touch that shape support and belonging for diverse students.
Written by Brooklin Becker, Audiovisual Storytelling Team Lead, Master of Information, Knowledge & Information Management
In this blog, Angelina talks about her experience as a student in comparison to the expectations of the workforce. She reflects on the “unlearning journey” she needed to break out of her self-proclaimed perfectionist-procrastinator student cycle.
Written by Angelina Kim, Community Engagement and Event Facilitator, BCOM, Rotman Commerce
In this blog, Blossom talks about her experience overcoming hurdles to creativity in a shared creative space at the iHub. Through collaboration and iteration, not only was she inspired by others, but she learned about a new environment where she could thrive and produce excellent work.
Written by Blossom Otisi, Graphic Designer, Honours Bachelor of Science, CCIT Major, Computer Science and Psychology Minors.
In this blog, Rohan discusses how we can use game elements in our everyday work or processes, using an example from an academic project. By gamifying design thinking, we can create more engaging and less intimidating experiences for participants and provide researchers with deeper insights that lead to better solutions.
Written by Rohan Aslam, Design Researcher, Bachelor of Arts, Communication, Culture, Information & Technology (CCIT)
Arshdeep joined the iHub in April as the Communications & Operations Lead after graduating from programs at OCAD and Humber College. In this blog she reflects on what she learned in her first 60 days working at the Innovation Hub and discusses what it means to work collaboratively in a team setting.
Written by Arshdeep Kang, Communications & Operations Lead, Honours Bachelor of Design
In this blog, April talks about her unexpected journey of getting hired as a design researcher at the iHub (a job she didn’t apply for), and the lessons she learned along the way.
Written by April Li, Design Researcher, Master of Education, Developmental Psychology and Education
Ruyi reflects on her Innovation Hub work-study hiring journey, from the initial application to the final decision. She looks back at how she responded to uncertainty and how a hiring process can reveal the culture of a potential workplace.
Written by Ruyi Zhang, Design Research, Master of Information, User Experience Design
Everybody has biases, but how often do we take the time to reflect and identify them? In this blog, Amelia reflects on how reflexivity in the design thinking process can reveal hidden biases, foster empathy, and create change to uncover student needs and get to the root of complex problems.
Written by Amelia Di Meo, Research Coordinator, Master of Health Science, Translational Research
This year, the Innovation Hub partnered with the Centre for Community Partnerships to host a series of design thinking workshops for Alternative Reading Week (ARW) 2025. In this post, Amelia and ARW facilitators, Ruth and Lidiia, reflect on the power of learning through play.
Written by Amelia Di Meo, Research Coordinator, Master of Health Science, Translational Research
Design thinking can become so much more than just research practice. It can evolve into a powerful problem-solving approach within a profession, and finally, a mindset. In this blog, our outgoing Research Lead, Lidiia, shares her learnings from the last four years as an employee at the Innovation Hub.
Written by Lidiia Tulenkova, Research Lead, Honours Bachelor of Arts, Sociocultural Anthropology, Material Culture & Art History