15 ENGL& 235 Technical Writing: Proposal for the Seattle Design Festival
John Calavitta
✍️ DSJ Assignment: Proposal for the Seattle Design Festival
Subject: Design, Arts & Humanities, English, Social Science
Length: 200–300 words (approx. 1–2 pages)
Due:
Purpose: Write a persuasive proposal to be selected for the 2025 Seattle Design Festival. Your idea should respond to the theme: “Feedback,” and propose a community-focused event, installation, talk, or experience.
✅ Proposal Goals
You’re writing to persuade the Seattle Design Festival (SDF) to accept your proposed event.
Your event must:
- Be design-focused
- Respond to urgent community problems
- Demonstrate the power of collaboration
- Use design, art, or making practices to promote change
📌 Choose ONE of the following formats:
- Outdoor activity
- Informal or virtual talk
- Demonstration
- Performance
- Skill share
- Film (virtual only)
- Built installation
🧠 Theme for 2025: Feedback
“Feedback is all about collaboration, courage, and adaptability. It challenges us to listen deeply, iterate boldly, and embrace constructive dialogue as a tool for innovation and stronger communities.” – Seattle Design Festival
🗂️ Proposal Structure (Answer These 8 Prompts)
Use numbered sections (1–8) to clearly structure your writing.
- Title of Your Pop-Up Experience
What’s the name of your activity or event? This will be used in Festival materials. Keep it concise and memorable. - Description of Your Pop-Up
What is it? How does it work?
Include:
- Type of event (workshop, panel, etc.)
- Number of speakers or participants
- How you will engage visitors (hands-on activity, discussion, Q&A)
- Any physical setup needed (tables, screens, supplies)
- How Does Your Pop-Up Reflect the Theme “Feedback”?
Choose 1–2 themes your proposal touches on (from this list):
- Housing / Affordability
- Environment / Sustainability
- Community Design / Social Equity
- Empowering Youth Design
- Innovative Tech
Describe how your idea fosters feedback, collaboration, or adaptability.
- Accessibility
How will your experience be inclusive for all participants?
Use this accessibility guide to help. Consider:
- Physical access
- Language/visual/audio/sound/cognitive/spatial/diverse language needs
- Comfort and inclusivity for all identities
- Sustainability
What steps will you take to reduce waste or environmental impact?
Examples:
- Use recycled/reusable materials
- Avoid plastic
- Digital materials instead of paper handouts
- Design Thinking
How does your idea use design thinking to solve a problem?
Design thinking includes:
- Identifying a need
- Brainstorming creatively
- Prototyping/testing solutions
- Iterating based on feedback
- Format
Pick ONE:
- In-person (at the Block Party: August 17–18)
- Remote (pre-recorded and uploaded)
If in-person be ready to include live Q&A or engagement
If remote: you’ll use Riverside.fm to record your segment.
- Funding Support (Optional)
Do you want to apply for a grant (up to $500)?
If yes:
- Say so in your proposal
- Explain how you’d use the funds (materials, printing, tech, etc.)
👥 Peer Review – Give Feedback to 1 Classmate
In the class discussion board, provide peer review on one classmate’s proposal. Consider:
- Does the proposal clearly respond to the theme of “Feedback”?
- Is the event accessible, engaging, and participatory?
- Does it feel feasible and community-driven?
💬 Questions to Keep in Mind While Writing
- What are you proposing? (Be specific.)
- Why is it important for the community?
- How will you use design to address the problem?
- How will people participate?
- What will success look like?
