Design Innovation

students using virtual reality equipment

Design Innovation at 91�ֿ�

Design Innovation (DI) at 91�ֿ� 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

The Design Innovation Toolkit

We believe design innovation is both a mindset and an approach for tackling messy problems. DI at 91�ֿ� incorporates human-centered design, design thinking, and innovation strategies to help foster creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and fearless collaboration.

Explore the DI Toolkit

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 ran through July 11th. The program 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 91�ֿ�, 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 91�ֿ�'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 91�ֿ�’s Design Innovation (DI) Hub in collaboration with 91�ֿ�’s School of Fashion.

07 Oct, 2025

photo of Stauffer and one of her designs

Designing for the Planet

Rachel Stauffer, a senior at 91�ֿ� 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

91�ֿ� 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