Scout's Annual Design Conference
A one-day, student-led, design conference where 300+ students and professionals come together to envision the future of design.
At Scout, we're passionate about design.
Scout is Northeastern's largest student-led design organization, a group of 140+ students and 8 teams who work with real-world clients each semester and plan bi-weekly events for the Northeastern design community. Every year, the Conference Team plans and executes Scout’s most impactful design event, our annual Interventions conference, for the great Boston Creative community.
As the Design Lead of the Conference Team, I was able to lead 4 designers to organize and execute all of the conference's workshops, decorations, and experience design.
Collide: The Theme
This year’s conference explored the theme of collision in design, examining how seemingly disparate elements can come together to drive innovation. We delved into the intersection of past and present design techniques, the blending of digital and physical experiences, and the ways different industries and disciplines can collide to create something new. Through thought-provoking talks and hands-on workshops, attendees discovered how these collisions shape the future of design.
Speakers
This one-day event brought together accomplished professionals who provided deep insights into our theme, Collide. Featured speakers included:
Sydney Crescenzo – Product Design Manager at Khan Academy, sharing expertise on designing impactful educational experiences.
Rob Davison – Creative Director at Boston University, offering insights into branding and visual storytelling.
Elizabeth McGarry – Co-founder of MCGARRY&Sons, discussing innovation in product and brand design.
Jen Ashman – Head of Envisioning at Other Tomorrows, exploring future-forward design thinking and strategy.
Each speaker brought a unique perspective, inspiring attendees with their experience and forward-thinking ideas.
Workshops and Activities
Other highlights of the day included a hands-on Paper Mechanics Workshop with Northeastern professor Todd Linkner, where attendees explored the structural properties of paper and how different folds can enhance packaging design and beyond.
We also hosted an interactive Brainstorming Game Show, led by experience designers from the conference team, demonstrating rapid ideation techniques and the power of iterative thinking.
Incorporating Augmented Reality (AR), we designed Snapchat filters, showcasing how virtual experiences can deepen engagement with digital media and push beyond the limits of a 2D space.
The event concluded with Student Poster Presentations, featuring standout research projects by Northeastern students, offering insights into cutting-edge innovations across various fields.
Reflection
As the Experience Design Lead for this conference, I walked away with more than just a successful event—I gained invaluable lessons in team management, leadership, and collaboration. Balancing creativity with deadlines was a constant challenge, but I learned how to keep the team on track without stifling innovation. Encouraging members to explore their ideas while ensuring we met our goals required a mix of motivation, structured guidance, and trust.
One of the most rewarding aspects was fostering a supportive environment—where every team member felt empowered to contribute and take ownership of their work. I realized that great leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about offering help when needed, giving thoughtful feedback, and letting ideas grow. Watching our collective efforts come to life was a reminder of why I love UX: the people, collaboration, and pushing boundaries.
Good design isn’t just about aesthetics or functionality—it’s about the process, the people behind it, and the impact it creates.