04/20/2023
Ashesi D:Lab Maker Sessions Ep. 5: Building a Community of Makers, Thinkers, and Innovators.
Jonathan Boatent’26 facilitating the Canva session
The Ashesi D:Lab Maker Sessions Ep. 5: Building a Community of Makers, Thinkers, and Innovators was a thrilling experience, marking the end of a series of Maker Sessions organized by the Ashesi D:Lab. The event brought together the D:Lab project team members and members of the Ashesi community, providing a platform for experiential hands-on learning in design thinking and design making using Canva, CAD and Figma. With a focus on building a community of makers, thinkers, and innovators, the event was a culmination of the efforts of the Ashesi D:Lab in promoting creativity, innovation, and collaboration among its members. In this blog post, we will explore the highlights of the event and share the insights gained from this exciting journey.
Nana Kojo’26, the coordinator for the Figma session, focused on teaching participants how to design user-friendly UIX using the Figma software. The session was one-on-one and started with a tutorial on how to design a simple website using Figma. He used the Beatstar App as a simulation, allowing attendee, Mr. Alvin Brocke’25 to practice his design skills in a safe and controlled environment. After the session Alvin Brocke’25, expressed that He was taught how to design App headers, site landers, quick links, shop carts, and other essential App user-interface properties using Figma. He also learned how to insert, resize and place pictures in an App interface using best practices in Figma.
Nana Kojo’26 facilitating the Canva session with Alvin Broke’25 as an attendee
The focus of the session was on designing an appealing and user-friendly UIX. Nana Kojo’26 emphasized the importance of designing with the end-user in mind, ensuring that the design is intuitive and easy to use. Mr. Alvin Brocke’25 was encouraged to think about the user's needs and preferences when designing the App interface, creating a seamless and enjoyable user experience. Overall, even though the Figma session was one-on-one, it was a resounding success, providing the participant with invaluable skills in designing user-friendly UIX using the Figma software.
Also, the last CAD session was one for the books! Jonathan Kashabira ‘24 led the participants in a nail-biting, part-modeling exercise that kept everyone on their toes. It was a competition to see who could create the most intricate shapes and parts in record time, with the first to complete all tasks emerging victorious. The CAD session facilitator, Jonathan Kashabira ’24 spoke passionately about how being part of the CAD team had given him a platform to hone his skills and learn new concepts that he may have otherwise overlooked. It was a win-win situation for everyone involved. In the end, Steven Antwi, a brilliant engineering student from the class of 2026, emerged as the overall winner, his design skills unparalleled. Deluxe Ishimwe '25, and Kofi Arhin'26, took second and third place respectively, showcasing their remarkable talent in CAD. The competition was fierce, but everyone agreed that the real winner was the CAD team, the D: lab Management interns and everyone who had managed to bring out the best in each participant.
Jonathan Boateng '26 once again led the group immersed in a captivating Canva session. He took the participants on an inspiring journey through the world of Canva. The session served as a timely refresher, recapping the various design models and concepts explored throughout the semester. As the project teams concluded their impressive exhibitions on the 14th April 2023, this final Canva session aimed to empower participants to revisit the power of storytelling through Canva. They delved into the art of crafting a puzzle-like game using engaging templates. The participants followed the instructor assiduously and added their own creative touches to personalize them. They used the different elements and templates to create how the game will look like, from starting the game, playing it to ending. From captivating infographics to captivating presentations, the session underscored the importance of captivating visuals and seamless storytelling. Participants expressed their joy during the session. They found it informative, refreshing and an interesting way of exploring their creativity.
Jonathan Boatent’26 facilitating the Canva session
An ardent participant, Yeoni Lamptey’25, shared invaluable insights of how his team capitalized on their knowledge of Canva to deliver visually compelling presentations during the innovation fair, enabling participants to unleash their creativity and amplify the impact of their projects. Armed with refreshed knowledge and a renewed sense of purpose, the participants left the Canva session equipped with the skills to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impression. In the end, the Canva session served as a reminder that design, when combined with storytelling, has the potential to elevate ideas and solutions to new heights. By harnessing the power of Canva, participants are now poised to create visually compelling narratives that will resonate with their intended audiences.