Presented by AIGA West Michigan and Start Garden.

Think. Make. Start. is a one month challenge for designers of all backgrounds and entrepreneurs interested in design. Like an Iron Chef for launching businesses, teams will have access to certain equipment for fabrication, which are not revealed until the kick off workshop. They will be provided with an allowance and a fabricator that can help with prototyping physical products. Skills in Adobe Illustrator are all that are required.

It begins with a day-long workshop to introduce a limited set of tools and resources that participants can use for fabricating. Then quickly moves into team forming, product design and business model generation to set up the sprint to generate revenue in the next four weeks. The challenge culminates at the end of four weeks with the Report Back Event, where teams present what they accomplished. The winner of the challenge is the team that generates the most revenue and presents the most innovative business model.

Start Garden will invest $5,000 into the team that covers the most distance during the challenge, if the team wants to keep going.

Pitch & Prototype (1 day workshop)
- Friday, August 3, All day - Learning, brainstorming, pitching and making.
- Location announced one week prior to event
- Food, drink and materials are provided
- Fee: $35 for AIGA members and $50 for non-members. (Space is limited)
http://aigastart.eventbrite.com/

Make it Happen
- August 3 - 30 - Space available for teams to meet and work.
- The Factory - 38 West Fulton Suite 400, Grand Rapids MI 49503

Report Back
- Thursday, August 30, evening - Teams present. Winner chosen. Drink & Mingle.
- The Factory - 38 West Fulton Suite 400, Grand Rapids MI 49503
- Open to the public. Admission is $5. Free for AIGA members.