About

Start with empathy. Design with purpose. Solve what matters.

At Siebel Center for Design (SCD), we believe creativity and empathy can transform the world. We teach and model human-centered design as a problem-solving approach that connects people, disciplines, and ideas. Our work helps students, educators, and organizations learn by doing—and grow by reflecting.

Learn More About HCD

20000+


Guests served monthly

70


Affiliated faculty & staff

11000+


sq. ft. of Prototyping & Maker space

Our Benefactor

Thomas M. Siebel
Alumnus, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
BA, History; MS, Computer Science; MBA

Thank you to our benefactor, Thomas Siebel, and his foundation, The Thomas and Stacy Siebel Foundation. Our building was made possible by a very generous donation from the foundation. Thomas Siebel is Chairman, CEO, and Founder of C3 AI. He has served as the chairman of the board of directors since January 2009 and as chief executive officer since July 2011. Prior to founding the company, Siebel founded and served as the chief executive officer of Siebel Systems, a global CRM software company, from 1993 until it merged with Oracle Corporation in January 2006. Siebel serves as a member of the boards of advisors for the colleges of engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of California, Berkeley. He was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in April 2013.

WHAT WE DO

Teach

We offer courses, workshops, and hands-on experiences that introduce students, educators, and professionals to human-centered design. Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your skills, SCD supports learning at every level.

Explore our Academic Programs
View Upcoming Worshops

Research

SCD’s research team studies how people learn and practice design, and how design impacts real-world outcomes. We use these insights to create better tools, learning environments, and strategies that strengthen design education.

Learn About Our Research

Partner

We collaborate with departments, researchers, student organizations, and community groups to co-create meaningful experiences and solutions. From co-hosted events to long-term innovation partnerships, we design together.

Partner With Us

Make

Our building is home to state-of-the-art labs, maker tools, and prototyping spaces. Students and community members come here to experiment, build, and bring ideas to life—with support from trained staff and peers.

Tour Our Spaces

WHY IT MATTERS


We believe the best solutions come from designing with people, not just for them. Human-centered design (HCD) teaches empathy, creativity, and iteration—skills that help students become better collaborators, leaders, and citizens.

Our mission is to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and imaginative world by making design accessible to everyone.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

There’s no one way to engage with the Siebel Center for Design. Whether you're teaching, learning, researching, making, or collaborating—we’re here to support you. Here’s how you might plug in. . .

Students

Learn, make, lead, or share your ideas.

  • Take a DTX course
  • Host an event or meet in our spaces
  • Schedule an HCD workshop for your RSO
  • Use our labs and maker tools to bring your ideas to life
  • Apply to become a Teaching Scholar or student staff member

Community Organizations 
& Industry Professionals

Design better experiences, systems, and solutions—with us.

  • Participate in Design Forward, our intensive professional development program for applying human-centered design across industries and communities
  • Join SHIFT, our scholar residency for educators and researchers across institutions
  • K-12 educators and schools can engage with our Human-Centered Schools Network 
  • Apply to teach a Design Thinking (DTX) course as an Adjunct Professor
  • Speak at UX Days, our annual design conference for students, professionals, and faculty

Faculty & Staff

Embed design thinking into your teaching or collaboration.

  • Co-teach or design a course with us
  • Collaborate on interdisciplinary, design-based projects
  • Schedule a workshop on human-centered design mindsets or tools for your department/team
  • Use our maker spaces for class activities or prototyping
  • Bring (or host us in) your class for a facilitated design session

Alumni

Give back through mentorship, storytelling, or support.

  • Mentor current students or serve as a guest speaker
  • Share your design journey on our podcast series
  • Apply to become an Adjunct Professor in our DTX program
  • Help grow the future of human-centered design at Illinois through financial support or donor partnerships

Our Values

These are things we believe in.

 

We believe creativity lives in everyone.

Design is not just for designers. Everyone has the capacity to solve problems with imagination and care.

 

We believe good design starts with listening.

We design with people, not for them—because understanding others is the first step to meaningful solutions.

 

We believe collaboration makes us stronger.

We bring people together across disciplines, backgrounds, and perspectives to tackle complex challenges.

 

We believe in learning through doing.

Prototypes, experiments, and feedback loops are essential tools for discovery—not just final outcomes.

 

We believe in designing with intention.

Design should be purposeful, responsive, and driven by the people it aims to serve.

 

We believe change happens when design is accessible.

We create environments where all people—regardless of skill, background, or identity—can learn, make, and grow.

 

We believe in reflection as part of the process.

Design isn't linear. We pause, learn, and iterate—because great ideas evolve.

Read the 2025 Annual Report

The 2025 SCD Annual Report captures a year of connection and creativity, showing how our community’s threads came together to spark new ideas and bold progress.