The pace of product innovation is demanding a 360-degree understanding of this complex ecosystem – from user research to design, prototyping, testing, funding, marketing, and distribution. The Academy’s Product Innovation intersectional area prepares students to design, develop, and launch great products that deliver delight and value at every user touchpoint. Students learn human-centered, collaborative methodologies to design innovative products and solutions for bold impact. 

The Academy’s Product Innovation intersectional area provides a holistic approach to product design, encompassing traditional physical and electronic products, digital apps and services, and hybrid or phygital development. Within our unique intersectional learning framework, students develop a foundational understanding of human-centered design principles, user research methodologies, iterative prototyping, and brand strategies to develop solutions that are desirable, feasible and viable. Students examine the aesthetic, functional, commercial, and ethical considerations of a product, as well as the intended and unintended consequences of design. Working in collaboration with faculty and industry partners, students also have opportunities to work on design with real-world application, and projects that take a speculative and visionary approach. 

Product Innovation at the Academy prepares students with expert knowledge and skills for product development across diverse industries. The students gain:

Fluency in user research and testing, competitive analysis, market research, iterative MVP prototyping, brand identity and go-to-market strategies

Proficiency in 2D, 3D, and 4D design tools and emerging technologies

Critical decision-making techniques and creative problem-solving methods

Persuasive storytelling techniques to present work in a way that is both visually and verbally compelling

Ability to work collaboratively in creative teams

Go-to-market strategies for industry clients' entrepreneurial endeavors

Universal principles that span design of digital and physical products

Graduates are prepared for a broad range of employment paradigms, from startups and small consultancies to large corporations. Students are prepared for roles in product design and development, brand direction and development, and creative leadership opportunities in a variety of industries including design, engineering, and technology innovation. Students gain proficiency working in collaborative, cross-disciplinary environments and are prepared to lead diverse teams to ignite creativity and disruptive innovation towards positive impact. 

Grant Delgatty

Adam Hughes

Stephen Child

Stephen Child, Associate Professor of Teaching

The Academy’s Product Innovation area prepares students to design, develop, and launch great products that deliver delight and value at every user touchpoint.

Product Innovation

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