Big Ten Student Design Competition

As campuses expand their focus on learning spaces to include not just classrooms, but dorms, libraries, social spaces and other informal learning environments, the Big Ten Academic Alliance has partnered with Herman Miller to offer the opportunity to engage students more deeply in the design of these spaces.

The Student Design Challenge will leverage teams from across the Big Ten to propose an informal space redesign on their campus. Students are the main focus of this initiative, and participating teams will gain valuable experience by going through the design process. Working with real-world parameters and industry professionals will sharpen skills in project management and communication, while giving students a high-visibility project for their portfolio. Participating schools will engage in an exciting opportunity to involve students in the building of their own environment along with having a hands-on learning experience at the headquarters of an industry leader.

Students of all majors are invited to compete in the Big Ten Student Design Challenge. With the opportunity to win $2000, network with industry professionals, and remake a space on their very own campus, we encourage students across the Big Ten to participate. 

Here’s how it works:

Each school has chosen an informal space to be re-furnished, and accepts designs from student teams. The best proposal from each school will be judged in a national competition, and the top 3 teams win a trip to Herman Miller headquarters. Over the course of two days at the Herman Miller office, teams will refine their proposals with help from industry professionals and pitch their ideas to a panel of design experts. The winning team receives a $2,000 cash prize and their proposal will be funded and built on their campus.

Participating Universities:

• University of Illinois
• Indiana University
• University of Iowa
• University of Michigan
• Michigan State University
• University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• Ohio State University
• Pennsylvania State University
• Rutgers University–New Brunswick
• University of Wisconsin–Madison

For more, please visit:  Big Ten Student Design Competition