Product Design and Innovation
Learn more about this specialty area within the Master of Arts in Design and Innovation.
What you will learn
Students in this program gain practical experience in product engineering, prototyping, and market analysis while working on real-world projects. The curriculum fosters a deep understanding of the design process, from concept development to execution, ensuring that products are not only functional but also desirable and user-friendly. By collaborating with faculty and industry professionals, students develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills needed to drive innovation in product design.
Partners
Activities
Product Design and Innovation hosts a breadth of activities to connect, encourage, and educate the product design and innovation community.
Speakers – from leaders to provocateurs, designers are spurred on by new thoughts and ideas or simply new ways of looking at our challenging world.
Workshops – designs and innovators love to do! Whether learning a new skill, tool, method or approach to design, getting your hands dirty is a great way to improve.
Seminars – we all benefit from a breadth of experiences and a deep knowledge of methods and tools. Sharing, discussing, and debating are great ways for design to be elevated.
Project Partners
Project emphasis is on innovative physical products, especially those that require a multi-disciplinary approach. We work with non-profits, entrepreneurs, small companies, and large global corporations. Our approach leverages and finds convergence in the expertise of the Lyle School of Engineering, the Cox School of Business, and the Meadows School of the Arts at 91制片廠合集.
Product Design and Innovation Track is available in the MADI program!
Design and Build Projects
Local companies are often looking for assistance on unique design and/or build projects. PDI connects with entrepreneurs, start-ups, small businesses, and multi-nationals to design innovations that meet the needs, wants, and desires of users. These are great opportunities to implement classroom learnings while collaborating with professionals and producing real, impactful results.
Depending on the needs of the company, these can be guided internships or short-term projects any time of the year.
Research
PDI provides opportunities for students and scholars to explore the theories and methods used by designers and innovators. Intensive summer research opportunities are available for student scholars through Engaged Learning Fellowship and Lyle’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program
Students wanting to gain course credit and pursue their own research interest while understanding the complexities and challenges of academic research are encouraged to take DSIN 7390 - Research in Design Theory & Methodology.
PDI Council
The SMU Product Design and Innovation (PDI) Council is a gathering of individuals and organizations who understand the necessity of innovative product design and its potential for impact, both in Dallas-Fort Worth and beyond.
The Council’s Purpose
- To inform the product design and innovation community of thought leadership in product design theories, methods, and application
- to inspire designers and future designers to pursue high-impact product design and innovation opportunities
- To build relationships among the product design and innovation community, particularly between leadership, SMU students, and faculty
For more information on how to join the PDI Council, contact PDI Director: Dr. Seth Orsborn