Design Innovation

students using virtual reality equipment

Design Innovation at ��

Design Innovation (DI) at �� is a university-wide initiative that unites people, ideas, and resources to help our community solve real-world problems through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Learn more about DI

Fall 2025 Events

Become a Fearless Collaborator

Discover endless opportunities for innovation and collaboration at the DI Hub, ��'s largest makerspace and innovation accelerator.

Our Stories

David E. Silva adjusts a volumetric camera

Creating a Paradigm Shift

David E. Silva participated in The John and Fonda Elliot Design Innovation Faculty Fellows Program, a six-week intensive fellowship with the Design Innovation Initiative that embodies DI's core mission of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, connecting design, innovation and technology while serving as an incubator for cross-university projects.

12 Sep, 2025

photo of neighborhood of 3d printed houses

Bringing Neighborhoods to Life

Jennifer Mapes, an assistant professor of geography at ��, developed an interactive mapping project that reimagines how people connect with the places they live. Using 3D printing, data visualization and storytelling, Mapes's work explores the South End neighborhood in Kent, Ohio.

10 Oct, 2025

Faculty from ��'s School of Fashion, Daniel Fladung with students at an E-Textiles workshop.

Form and Function Merge in Creating Wearable Technology

Creating e-textiles is the topic of a hands-on, maker workshop and a lecture in ��’s Design Innovation (DI) Hub in collaboration with ��’s School of Fashion.

07 Oct, 2025

photo of Stauffer and one of her designs

Designing for the Planet

Rachel Stauffer, a senior at �� double majoring in Fashion Design and Business Marketing, is using fashion as a vehicle for environmental change. Her latest project, a seven-look biodegradable collection titled "Bury Me," blends technical innovation with bold sustainability goals.

28 Apr, 2025

Exploring Structure and Vulnerability

�� MFA candidate and DI Hub Collaborator Atoosa Fadaei recently unveiled her thesis installation "Paradox," a sculptural work that merges traditional materials with digital fabrication to explore themes of displacement, war, and cultural memory.

17 Apr, 2025

The Design Innovation Toolkit

We believe design innovation is both a mindset and an approach for tackling messy problems. DI at �� incorporates human-centered design, design thinking, and innovation strategies to help foster creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and fearless collaboration.

Explore the DI Toolkit

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Design Innovation

Design Innovation at ��

Fall 2025 Events

The John & Fonda Elliot DI Faculty Fellows Event Series >>

Design for Extremes >>

Soft Circuits & Smart Textiles Workshop + Lecture >>

Fix-It Kent >>

Become a Fearless Collaborator