At the heart of M.I.T.’s vibrant tech community lies one of the world’s most dynamic and forward-thinking events: HackMIT. Organized entirely by students, this annual 24-hour hackathon brings together more than 1,000 participants from across the globe to build, learn, and collaborate, transforming innovative ideas into working projects in just one day.
This year, Lauren Yoo, a student at MIT and part of HackMIT’s marketing and design team, helped lead the creative effort behind the event’s visual identity – including the custom playing cards printed by Shuffled Ink.
A Hackathon Like No Other
HackMIT isn’t just about coding – it’s a celebration of imagination and collaboration. Teams of four or fewer students are given 24 hours to bring an idea to life, resulting in groundbreaking projects that merge technology with real-world impact.
Among the incredible submissions this year were:
- A public speaking coach powered by AI that combines speech-to-text models with computer vision.
- An accessibility-focused Minecraft extension that uses facial expressions, eye tracking, and voice commands to make gaming more inclusive.
- Smart glasses for Alzheimer’s patients, helping them relive daily moments and strengthen memory.
Throughout the event, students are supported by mentors, judges, and sponsors, and enjoy workshops, mini events, and tech talks – all designed to encourage learning and innovation.
A Custom Deck for a Custom Experience
As part of the event’s signature swag bags, every participant received a set of custom HackMIT playing cards designed and produced in collaboration with us here at Shuffled Ink.
Lauren and her team of more than ten students were responsible for the event’s marketing and web design, while two of her team members designed the card artwork – one creating the card backs and another the faces.
“The cards were a huge hit,” said Lauren. “This was the first time we were able to make playing cards for our hackathon, and [the participants] were all super excited by the gift. I was the most excited for the cards.”
The HackMIT team brainstormed a variety of merchandise ideas before landing on the cards which was a creative, interactive keepsake that would stand out among typical event giveaways.
A Smooth Collaboration with Shuffled Ink
When it came time to bring their vision to life, the HackMIT team partnered with us!
“Working with Shuffled Ink was a great experience,” Lauren shared. “Carlos, the project manager, was awesome to work with, and everyone we interacted with was incredibly helpful. The graphics department was also super fast and the final cards came out great”.
Not only did we meet HackMIT’s design expectations, but we also worked within the team’s budget and timeline, ensuring that every deck arrived in time for check-in day.
Building Bonds Through Creativity
Beyond the coding and competition, HackMIT’s mission is to foster community and the custom cards played a small but meaningful role in that goal. It was a special touch that really brought everyone together. It is a great idea that was memorable and reflected HackMIT’s creativity and collaborative spirit.
HackMIT continues to grow each year, uniting students and innovators in the spirit of creation and curiosity. As the event evolves, the partnerships behind it – like the one between HackMIT and Shuffled Ink – remind us that even the smallest details, like a deck of cards, can leave a lasting impression.
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