Program Dates: September 10 – December 10, 2026

The Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship is seeking 10 qualified students for Research Assistant (RA) positions in the Fall 2026 Design for Startups cohort. Design for Startups (D4S) matches Emily Carr emerging designers (senior undergraduate or graduate students) with Canadian companies pursuing design-driven development to collaborate on clearly defined design challenges that align with business and user needs. This program will be delivered in a hybrid format, with remote lab meetings and some work conducted in person with partner companies, where appropriate.

RAs will work 15 hours per week for 12 weeks. The internal design lab meetings are conducted online and held on Thursdays from 4:30 – 7:30 PM PST (TBC).

RAs will form an innovative design research team collaborating with Canadian companies from early-stage startups to established small-and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are pursuing design-driven development. This is an exciting opportunity to engage with Canada’s startup culture and gain hands-on experience with the fast-paced research and development (R&D) models.

RAs will be paired with partner companies to work directly with them and will receive support through weekly meetings with Emily Carr faculty lead, May, and their peer group. RAs will consider existing design gaps, perform user interface/usability studies, visual/identity reviews, and develop design strategies for participating companies to develop and improve digital products, platforms, and services.

View the full call on The Leeway

EXTENDED DEADLINE: 12PM PT on August 14th, 2026

Role

• Meet regularly with the business and technical team at a partner company (hybrid or in person where appropriate) to establish project deliverables and working processes;
• Meet regularly with the ECU faculty lead and peers to apply the Double Diamond framework and human-centred design methodologies to the project; exchange feedback, track progress, and flag any challenges to faculty as needed;
• Develop project outputs that vary in fidelity and scope depending on the partner company’s needs, ranging from low-fidelity concepts to more polished deliverables;
• Develop and deliver a presentation highlighting project outcomes for company partners and program stakeholders at the final public showcase.
• In accordance with existing ECU generative AI (GAI) guidelines, students MUST NOT upload, input, or otherwise disclose any D4S-related work—including interview data, research findings, analysis, or prototype development materials—to publicly available GAI tools. The use of GAI for any program-related work is prohibited unless explicitly approved in advance by the program faculty and managers.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, RAs should be able to:

• Solve problems by practicing a comprehensive user experience design process involving analysis, research, concept development, visual synthesis and feedback;
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the issues involved in designing in lean or agile startup environments;
• Respond to audiences, contexts and user experience needs in shaping design decisions;
• Research and create design presentations, and document projects to reflect a personalized creative process;
• Apply iterative human-centered design methods from conception to completion;
• Use skills, tools and technologies appropriate to each project, and present work effectively in visual and verbal form;
• Manage time efficiently and work effectively in teams or individually, as required.

Eligibility Criteria + Required Qualifications

Candidates must possess the following to be considered for this position:

• Be enrolled at Emily Carr University of Art + Design (MDes program, 3rd or 4th year INTD/COMD major) with a GPA of 3.0 or higher;
• Must reside in British Columbia for the entire duration of the program (September 10 -December 10, 2026) and hold valid work authorization;
• Have demonstrated technical and creative skills across web, UX, and/or communication design;
• Possess excellent teamwork skills and a flexible, creative attitude;
• Have strong organizational, research, communication, and presentation skills;
• Ability to work independently and adapt responsively to changing conditions;
• Have use of their own laptop/computer;
• Must be available to meet remotely with company teams as needed and attend the internal weekly design lab sessions;
• Key dates and times: Thursdays 4:30 – 7:30 PM (TBC) | September 10 – December 10, 2026, inclusive.

We encourage applications from students of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Eligible undergraduate students may also apply to receive work experience credit for participating.

For information on compensation and how to apply, visit The Leeway.

Design for Startups is generously supported by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) from Fall 2026 through Spring 2028.  Please note hiring may be delayed, modified, or withdrawn in the event of changes to grant availability or partner commitments.