Graphics courtesy of Lauren Nickels and Chicago Transit Authority, all copyrights retained by CTA
Student Lauren Nickels’ internship with the Chicago Transit System (CTA) places her inside the systems she depends on as a rider. In her role, she applies research-driven, playful design to internal projects that support the people who keep Chicago moving.
In her internship, Nickels focuses on design work rarely seen by the public but deeply felt by employees. Her projects range from internal graphics and printed materials to hands-on employee engagement events held at bus garages and rail terminals.
Nickels brings lessons from SAIC directly into her internship, including a custom game inspired by her Heavy Cardboard board game design class. These experiences show how a design education rooted in adaptability translates into practical tools for collaboration, storytelling, and real-world problem solving.
