On 13, 14 and 15 December 2023, the very first hackathon of the year took place for our 2nd-year Bachelor Motion Design and Bachelor UI Design students.
For this first annual Hackathon, our 2nd-year Bachelor students had to work in cross-specialisation groups to carry out an audit of the Greater Lyon metropolitan website in just 72 hours (13–14–15 December).
A major undertaking!
An in-depth analysis was expected in order to put forward recommendations for improving the Greater Lyon metropolitan website while adhering to their brief.
I was surprised when this project linked to the city of Lyon was announced. It's a genuinely concrete project — a real chance to contribute and play an active role in your city.
But that's not all — as part of this hackathon, the Lyon campus inaugurated a first partnership with Signes et Formations.
Digital Campus students worked hand in hand with Lenny, a hearing-impaired student from the School of Digital Trades taught 100% in French Sign Language (LSF — Langue des Signes Française).
What exactly is Signes et Formations?
A school / association that:
- Trains young deaf and hearing-impaired people in web design, taught directly in French Sign Language (LSF), to help them access employment in the best possible conditions.
- Teaches sign language to anyone who wishes to learn
- Connects businesses with interpreters
Through this project, our students were able to compete against their classmates in a collaborative spirit — a stimulating and formative experience. It was a true immersion in the world of teamwork, where ideas intertwined and individual skills converged towards a shared goal: winning as a group.
Yet working as a team can sometimes prove challenging. The different skills and perspectives of team members, while a source of richness, can occasionally generate tensions and differences in approach. Tight deadlines and the inherent pressures of a large-scale project like this one can add a further layer of complexity.
Integrating a student from Signes & Formations into this major project offered a valuable opportunity for the Digital Campus students. They learned to adapt their communication, thereby strengthening their collaboration skills and cross-cultural awareness.
This experience prepared them for a diverse professional environment, as well as for a more inclusive and respectful worldview.
« It's really interesting to work with other students. I developed new skills and contributed my own. I introduced them to deaf culture and the importance of accessibility. »
Lenny, hearing-impaired student at Signes et Formations
« I learned a lot of things, new methods. It was great to be mixed in with Digital Campus students — I'd actually love to have more opportunities to work with hearing groups »
Lenny
« Working with a student from Signes et Formations happened very naturally — we had a good laugh, it felt like having an extra team member, it gave us strength »
Sohène
« The beginning was tough — figuring out our group working method, finding the best way to divide tasks »
Mathis
« It was a surprise to be competing against classmates — you know their profiles — but it was challenging, we all wanted to win »
Alexandre
On Friday 15 December 2023, the different teams took turns presenting their recommendations in the Lyon Municipal Council chamber.
Outstanding proposals, boundless energy, a challenge well and truly met!
A huge well done to everyone!
But as with any competition, there can only be one winner!
Congratulations to Team 1, made up of Alexandre, Benjamin, Valentin and Zakary!
A big thank you to our coaches: Sarah Michel and François Veysset, who supported our students throughout this project.
We would also like to thank the city of Lyon, who championed this project and made this wonderful experience possible for our students!