Digital Academy: CollabQuest
Creative Challenges for Neurodivergent Learners
CollabQuest is a project-based design experience for neurodivergent individuals (14+) in the IOB community. In partnership with leading organizations, participants tackle real-world design challenges with guidance from experienced mentors.
Each CollabQuest includes:
A structured design challenge based on a real-world brief
Collaboration with peers and industry professionals
Flexible, self-paced work with structured support
Opportunities to share progress and receive feedback
CollabQuest meetings provide guidance and collaboration, while most design work happens independently. Participants receive a 6:1 student-to-mentor ratio, access to learning resources, and a digital workspace to showcase their progress.
Register to join a creative journey where innovation meets community!
What does it look like?
Here’s a look at a past CollabQuest, where eight neurodivergent Islands of Brilliance students conducted field research and designed mud guards for Serpentijn Art + Athletics.
Program Outcomes
Creative Problem-Solving – Strengthen critical thinking and innovation skills.
Collaboration & Communication – Work effectively with peers and mentors.
Independence & Self-Management – Build confidence in self-directed learning.
Real-World Skills – Gain experience with emerging technologies and teamwork.
Supportive & Inclusive Environment – Learn in a stress-free, community-focused space.
This Program is a Good Fit For
Students 14+ who love to dive deep in learning new software, working on a team, and find meaning in work-based learning.
Please note:
CollabQuests are open to anyone in the IOB community ages 14+
Students will be expected to work on their projects outside of the scheduled meeting times
Our Next CollabQuest…
Design a Book Cover!
Community Partner:
Project Objective
Calling all designers and illustrators! New American Press, an independent literary publisher, is offering a rare opportunity to step inside the world of book cover design.
Participants will meet the creative director, author, and professional designers to learn how book covers are developed before taking on the creative challenge: re-designing a book cover for a title currently in publication.
This experience offers both portfolio development and real-world insight into working with a local creative team.
Each participant’s final design will be professionally printed and mailed to their home, and participants will have the opportunity to build connections with a working design and publishing team.
Project Details
Format: In-Person
Dates and Times:
Kickoff Session: Saturday, April 25, 10:00–11:30 am
Studio Sessions: Saturdays, May 2, 9, and 16, 10:00 am–12:00 pm
Duration: One Kickoff Client Experience + Three 2-Hour IOB Studio Sessions
Price: $410
Locations: IOB’s Studio at the Eagleknit, 507 S 2nd St, Suite 305, Milwaukee, WI 53204
What to Expect:
Inside the World of Publishing: Meet the creative director, author, and designers from New American Press and learn how books move from manuscript to shelf.
Real Client Brief: Hear directly from the team about the book, its themes, audience, and vision — just like professional designers do.
Book Cover Design: Create an original cover concept that captures the story visually through image, color, typography, and composition.
Concept + Storytelling: Explore how designers communicate tone, genre, and emotion through symbolism and visual decisions.
Feedback & Iteration: Share work, receive guidance, and refine your design across multiple sessions.
Print-Ready Thinking: Learn how covers are prepared for production, including layout, typography, and formatting considerations.
Portfolio Takeaway: Receive a printed version of your book cover and a strong portfolio piece.
Creative Networking: Connect with a local independent publisher and gain insight into careers in design and publishing.
Frequently Asked Questions About CollabQuest
-
CollabQuest is Hybrid (online and in-person). Some sessions will be at partner locations and other sessions will be online.
-
Digital Academy uses creative technologies and community as a bridge to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) development. All DA programs assume that the student can work with some level of independence in a group setting with roaming support by IOB staff including IOB Creative Technologists, Mentors, and/or Special Educators.
Students who need one-to-one support may find other IOB programs – such as Foundation Workshops – a better fit. Please contact the IOB Team (connect@islandsofbrilliance.org) if you have specific questions regarding the support your student may need.
-
There is an expectation that students will focus on good decision-making skills and work on guided tasks on their own time between Thursday CollabQuest sessions. CollabQuests programs that happen as consecutive day workshops/camps would have less outside of work time.
-
Students get a badge ring when they enter DA Programming with slots for earning badges. These badges indicate each student's level of engagement and are not representative of any rank. Each completed CollabQuest/Sprint carries a unique 'Einstein hat.' These badges come together to create a non-repeating pattern. CollabQuest badges are awarded at the end of a CollabQuest and stay with the student for the duration of their time at IOB.
-
No. DA sessions are not recorded. Attendance is critical to success. However, IOB understands sometimes unexpected circumstances and calendar conflicts arise. IOB will work with families where possible. IOB staff cannot offer time to make up missed CollabQuest sessions because we are working with an outside partner's time and schedule.
-
Follow this link to register.
-
Chris Willey, the Director of Technology at IOB, is the main person behind all Digital Academy programming. Please email chris@islandsofbrilliance.org with questions.
Explore Our Programs
-
Open Lab Programs
Our most frequent and accessible options, Open Lab Programs provide a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment for your child to learn, create, and connect…including our Daily Doodle Lounge!
-
Foundation Programs
Led by a certified educator, students are paired with a professional design mentor to learn technical software skills using various creative technologies and build social and emotional development skills.
-
Academy Programs
The most rigorous IOB program, Digital Academy provides apprentice-style instruction in a product-based learning environment.
-
Community Programs
Whether you’re a young adult living with autism or is someone who loves and supports them, we know life can be challenging. Our Community Support programs provide professional and peer guidance to help along the journey.