IIT Institute of Design

In April 2017, the Institute of Design hosted Robert Fabricant, co-founder and principal of the Dalberg Design Impact Group, as a Latham Fellow for a three-day workshop exploring connections between design and the Social Impact Sector. The goal of the workshop was to foster a dialogue and begin to create tools for designers entering into work in the Social Impact Sector. As this sector is incredibly broad and diverse, the workshop focused on four especially pertinent areas in which design overlaps: behavioral science, urban planning and design, mediation and conflict resolution, and community-based development. The three days were made up of multiple activities anchored by a sprint design project with Robert and the students and an event with local leaders at Lost Arts Chicago. The student workshop had twelve Masters students explore the four chosen topic areas through secondary research and interviews with experts in each area. After this quick immersion, the students used multiple visual mapping techniques to understand the patterns and connections between design and each area. From this, quick prototypes of tools that could be used in field were created to be tested out in the wild. These included a game to play with stakeholders on a development project and a set of reference cards for designers out in field on development projects.

In November 2016 students from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) were invited to attend the Business of Design Week Conference in Hong Kong courtesy of IIT alum, Victor Lo. The conference's theme was "Chicago Made" and featured speakers who have made an impact in Chicago in addition to designers from all around the world in multiple facets of the industry. After the conference students met to discuss their experience attending the conference and exploring Hong Kong. Jessica Lee is pursuing a Master of Design with interests in exploring the interplay of business with design thinking to create meaningful solutions, especially in social issues around disability rights and accessibility. Ignacio Martinez is pursuing a Master of Design focused on how qualitative and quantitative research can improve businesses and user experiences across digital and physical environments. André Nogueira is a PhD student at IIT Institute of Design with research interests in complex space of innovation, policymaking, food systems, and sustainable solutions. Previously he worked on projects related to organization design, business development, sustainable initiatives, urban planning and design, and architecture.

In November 2016 students from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) were invited to attend the Business of Design Week Conference in Hong Kong courtesy of IIT alum, Victor Lo. The conference's theme was "Chicago Made" and featured speakers who have made an impact in Chicago in addition to designers from all around the world in multiple facets of the industry. After the conference students met to discuss their experience attending the conference and exploring Hong Kong. Jessica Lee is pursuing a Master of Design with interests in exploring the interplay of business with design thinking to create meaningful solutions, especially in social issues around disability rights and accessibility. Ignacio Martinez is pursuing a Master of Design focused on how qualitative and quantitative research can improve businesses and user experiences across digital and physical environments. André Nogueira is a PhD student at IIT Institute of Design with research interests in complex space of innovation, policymaking, food systems, and sustainable solutions. Previously he worked on projects related to organization design, business development, sustainable initiatives, urban planning and design, and architecture.

Panel event at The Art Institute of Chicago presented with IIT Institute of Design Upon its founding Moholy-Nagy referred to the New Bauhaus in Chicago as a "laboratory for a new education". As the New Bauhaus evolved into Institute of Design, his legacy of experimentation in education maintains through experiential, project-based learning and a commitment to prototyping. Over the past eight decades, ID's school-as-lab model has provided a forum to conceive new futures in healthcare, transportation, retail, finance, social services and computer-human interaction. The field of design has broadly adopted the human-centered approach grounded in the New Bauhaus as standard practice. Entirely new approaches to learning outside of traditional education models and infrastructures have been developed through the collaborative efforts of designers, entrepreneurs, artists, policymakers and others. This discussion will feature a multi-disciplinary group of panelists representing the academic, non-profit, and creative sectors. Patrick Whitney, Connie Yowell, Eric Ellingsen, and Dr. Melissa Gillian explore Moholy-Nagy's influential legacy of experimental education in Chicago. Panelists Eric Ellingsen Visiting Assistant Professor of Architecture, IIT College of Architecture Melissa Gilliam MD, MPH Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Chicago Patrick Whitney Distinguished Professor and Steelcase/Robert C. Pew Professor of Design, IIT Institute of Design Connie Yowell CEO, LRNG Moderated by Ashley Lukasik, Director of Corporate Relations, Communications, and Marketing at IIT Institute of Design.

Panel event at The Art Institute of Chicago presented with IIT Institute of Design Upon its founding Moholy-Nagy referred to the New Bauhaus in Chicago as a "laboratory for a new education". As the New Bauhaus evolved into Institute of Design, his legacy of experimentation in education maintains through experiential, project-based learning and a commitment to prototyping. Over the past eight decades, ID's school-as-lab model has provided a forum to conceive new futures in healthcare, transportation, retail, finance, social services and computer-human interaction. The field of design has broadly adopted the human-centered approach grounded in the New Bauhaus as standard practice. Entirely new approaches to learning outside of traditional education models and infrastructures have been developed through the collaborative efforts of designers, entrepreneurs, artists, policymakers and others. This discussion will feature a multi-disciplinary group of panelists representing the academic, non-profit, and creative sectors. Patrick Whitney, Connie Yowell, Eric Ellingsen, and Dr. Melissa Gillian explore Moholy-Nagy's influential legacy of experimental education in Chicago. Panelists Eric Ellingsen Visiting Assistant Professor of Architecture, IIT College of Architecture Melissa Gilliam MD, MPH Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Chicago Patrick Whitney Distinguished Professor and Steelcase/Robert C. Pew Professor of Design, IIT Institute of Design Connie Yowell CEO, LRNG Moderated by Ashley Lukasik, Director of Corporate Relations, Communications, and Marketing at IIT Institute of Design.

IIT Institute of Design is formalizing a certificate option for students who wish to develop deeper expertise in social innovation through the pursuit of certificates like Non-Profit and Mission-Driven Management, Economic Development and Social Entrepreneurship, and Public Management. Students who obtain these certificates will gain cross-disciplinary knowledge of how public policy and philanthropy work, or how non-profits are structured, financed, and measured for success. In this interview, Shanti Mathew, ID’s first recipient of the Public Management certificate, she recognizes that “If I’m going to be embedded in a sector or field as complex as government agency or services there’s a lot I need to learn [about government, comparative political administrative systems, how government agencies are structured, how programs are evaluate].” This exposure will help her advocate more effectively for design and give her credibility to “talk about it in a way that adds value and that can build a bridge. That’s the kind of collaborative relationship we are looking for in this new world economy.”

IIT Institute of Design is formalizing a certificate option for students who wish to develop deeper expertise in social innovation through the pursuit of certificates like Non-Profit and Mission-Driven Management, Economic Development and Social Entrepreneurship, and Public Management. Students who obtain these certificates will gain cross-disciplinary knowledge of how public policy and philanthropy work, or how non-profits are structured, financed, and measured for success. In this interview, Shanti Mathew, ID’s first recipient of the Public Management certificate, she recognizes that “If I’m going to be embedded in a sector or field as complex as government agency or services there’s a lot I need to learn [about government, comparative political administrative systems, how government agencies are structured, how programs are evaluate].” This exposure will help her advocate more effectively for design and give her credibility to “talk about it in a way that adds value and that can build a bridge. That’s the kind of collaborative relationship we are looking for in this new world economy.”

Doreen Lorenzo, Director of the Center for Integrated Design at the University of Texas, Austin and Co-Founder of Vidlet sat down with IIT Institute of Design Dean Patrick Whitney to discuss the changing relationship between design and business. Together they examine the levels of innovation, risk management and failure, the changing relationship of the designer and the organization, and whether or not design is up to the challenges of the 21st Century. Join Doreen at the Strategy Conference May 19-20, 2016 where she will be featured as an Integrator, transforming wide-ranging ideas from keynotes and workshops into enlightened insights via on-stage discussions and debates.

Doreen Lorenzo, Director of the Center for Integrated Design at the University of Texas, Austin and Co-Founder of Vidlet sat down with IIT Institute of Design Dean Patrick Whitney to discuss the changing relationship between design and business. Together they examine the levels of innovation, risk management and failure, the changing relationship of the designer and the organization, and whether or not design is up to the challenges of the 21st Century. Join Doreen at the Strategy Conference May 19-20, 2016 where she will be featured as an Integrator, transforming wide-ranging ideas from keynotes and workshops into enlightened insights via on-stage discussions and debates.

This past fall, professor Anijo Mathew launched Vamonde, a place-based storytelling platform that emerged out of over a decade of research and experimentation at IIT Institute of Design. Shanti Mathew (MDes 2016) interviewed Anijo and president of Broadway in Chicago, Lou Raizin to learn more about when they connected, how they collaborated on the new platform Vamonde, and where they see this new platform changing our perspectives on place and the value embedded in a moment.

This past fall, professor Anijo Mathew launched Vamonde, a place-based storytelling platform that emerged out of over a decade of research and experimentation at IIT Institute of Design. Shanti Mathew (MDes 2016) interviewed Anijo and president of Broadway in Chicago, Lou Raizin to learn more about when they connected, how they collaborated on the new platform Vamonde, and where they see this new platform changing our perspectives on place and the value embedded in a moment.

Bridget Russo has spent much of her career finding unique intersections between cause and creativity. Her recent move to Detroit to work as CMO of Shinola is no exception. The heritage brand demonstrates that luxury goods can be socially responsible economic drivers. Bridget and IIT Institute of Design’s director of communications and corporate relations, Ashley Lukasik recently discussed the renewed opportunity for industry in the Motor City. Their conversation centers on how the culture of the Shinola reflects the city’s legacy of manufacturing while embracing customer expectations of transparency, social good, craft, and community. Bridget will share more of Shinola’s story at the factory during the Strategy World Tour Detroit, April 11-13.

Bridget Russo has spent much of her career finding unique intersections between cause and creativity. Her recent move to Detroit to work as CMO of Shinola is no exception. The heritage brand demonstrates that luxury goods can be socially responsible economic drivers. Bridget and IIT Institute of Design’s director of communications and corporate relations, Ashley Lukasik recently discussed the renewed opportunity for industry in the Motor City. Their conversation centers on how the culture of the Shinola reflects the city’s legacy of manufacturing while embracing customer expectations of transparency, social good, craft, and community. Bridget will share more of Shinola’s story at the factory during the Strategy World Tour Detroit, April 11-13.

After 30 years with United Way for Southeastern Michigan, twelve as CEO, Michael Brennan decided to take a risk. He would follow a calling to put something new into the world through the launch of Civilla, a center for social innovation in Detroit. Mike sat down with the dean of IIT Institute of Design, Patrick Whitney to discuss social innovation and how we can use design to address civic issues in our cities. During their conversation, Mike tells the story of user research around public transportation and how he and his team created a break-even-on-cost prototype to improve the experience for riders. He reflects on the impulse for taking giant steps when that alone isn't going to solve the system. It's the combination of the large scale leaps and the small grassroots steps aligned with the individual in the middle that will help us get to enduring solutions. During their conversation, Mike tells the story of user research around public transportation and how he and his team created a break-even-on-cost prototype to improve the experience for riders. He reflects on the impulse for taking giant steps when that alone isn't going to solve the system. It's the combination of the large scale leaps and the small grassroots steps aligned with the individual in the middle that will help us get to enduring solutions.

After 30 years with United Way for Southeastern Michigan, twelve as CEO, Michael Brennan decided to take a risk. He would follow a calling to put something new into the world through the launch of Civilla, a center for social innovation in Detroit. Mike sat down with the dean of IIT Institute of Design, Patrick Whitney to discuss social innovation and how we can use design to address civic issues in our cities. During their conversation, Mike tells the story of user research around public transportation and how he and his team created a break-even-on-cost prototype to improve the experience for riders. He reflects on the impulse for taking giant steps when that alone isn't going to solve the system. It's the combination of the large scale leaps and the small grassroots steps aligned with the individual in the middle that will help us get to enduring solutions. During their conversation, Mike tells the story of user research around public transportation and how he and his team created a break-even-on-cost prototype to improve the experience for riders. He reflects on the impulse for taking giant steps when that alone isn't going to solve the system. It's the combination of the large scale leaps and the small grassroots steps aligned with the individual in the middle that will help us get to enduring solutions.

Norman Winarsky recently sat down with Patrick Whitney, dean of IIT Institute of Design for a conversation on the creation of Siri, differentiating disruptive market solutions, building a culture of innovation, and the future of the making. Norman will be speaking as part of the IIT Institute of Design Strategy World Tour San Francisco event on October 13. About Norman Norman Winarsky is Advisor to Ventures Groups, Consultant, Author, and Angel Investor. He is past President of SRI Ventures, and has been responsible for creating SRI’s highest value venture and license opportunities. He is a founder of SRI’s venture process, which includes venture and license incubation, seed funding, the Entrepreneur-In-Residence program, and the nVention venture forum. Norman was co-founder and board member of Siri, which was spun out from SRI in January 2008. Siri has now been incorporated into all Apple iPhones. He is author of "If You Really Want to Change the World: A Guide to Creating, Building, and Sustaining Breakthrough Ventures," a Harvard Business Review publication.

Norman Winarsky recently sat down with Patrick Whitney, dean of IIT Institute of Design for a conversation on the creation of Siri, differentiating disruptive market solutions, building a culture of innovation, and the future of the making. Norman will be speaking as part of the IIT Institute of Design Strategy World Tour San Francisco event on October 13. About Norman Norman Winarsky is Advisor to Ventures Groups, Consultant, Author, and Angel Investor. He is past President of SRI Ventures, and has been responsible for creating SRI’s highest value venture and license opportunities. He is a founder of SRI’s venture process, which includes venture and license incubation, seed funding, the Entrepreneur-In-Residence program, and the nVention venture forum. Norman was co-founder and board member of Siri, which was spun out from SRI in January 2008. Siri has now been incorporated into all Apple iPhones. He is author of "If You Really Want to Change the World: A Guide to Creating, Building, and Sustaining Breakthrough Ventures," a Harvard Business Review publication.

Building A Culture Of Innovation At The Mayo Clinic by iitdesign

Building A Culture Of Innovation At The Mayo Clinic by IIT Institute of Design