Designathon ’25 stretched creativity on behalf of seven non-profits

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Wednesday, February 12th, 2025

Not even an impending ice storm could delay the 2025 Designathon, held Feb. 8. This annual 12-hour event celebrates the contributions that are made by good design by offering free creative, professional-level services to regional non-profit organizations. Over the course of 17 years, Designathon participants — students, alumni, faculty members, and staff — have assisted well over 100 organizations.

“It was our honor to once again create impactful graphics for seven local nonprofits,” said organizer Maria Hostetter, Chair of the Graphic Design Department.

This year, dozens of participants holed up in the fourth-floor LookOut to brainstorm and create on behalf of seven organizations: the Harrisburg Green Alliance, the League of Women Voters, Strasburg Senior Citizens, The .918 Club at the Heritage Press Museum, YWCA of Lancaster, The Edible Classroom, and Ambassadors for Hope. Tasked with designing logos, social media, brochures, postcards, posters and more, PCA&D creatives went to work at 9 am and were required to complete their tasks by 4 — to wrap up before bad weather hit. Even though they weren’t able to utilize the event’s full 12 hours, it was still a major success, Hostetter said.

“Our students worked tirelessly against an even shorter deadline due to the impending ice storm,” Hostetter said. “I am once again proud of their commitment to this event and extraordinary talent.”

Scroll below for an example from each of the teams: