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Design Thinking: Design Thinking at the University of Illinois

Design thinking is a methodology for practical and creative problem solving which focuses on the cognitive process of designing (e.g. it focuses on both the product and the process).

Collaborative Design Spaces On Campus

List provided via the Siebel Center for Design:

  • Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership (AEL) Executes the innovation and entrepreneurship mission of the College of Business Entrepreneurship Forum: Campus-wide forum is held each year, highlighting the breadth of entrepreneurial activities across campus
  • Open Lab - Creative workspace for students throughout campus to work on personal projects outside of the classroom
  • EnterpriseWorks - Illinois incubator and resource center that helps launch tech-focused startups
  • Champaign-Urbana Community FabLab - An open and collaborative workshop space for computer-driven innovation, design, and fabrication
  • Grainger Engineering Library IDEA Lab - Provides space and technology for faculty/student collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship
  • Illini MakerLab - The world’s first business school 3D printing lab offering courses, events, and services
  • IllinoisVENTURES - Provides consultative services, potential funding, and business development support for early-stage, and research-driven companies
  • Innovation Living Learning Community (Innovation LLC) - Created through a collaborative partnership with the Technology Entrepreneur Center and University Housing, they provide students with an introduction to the campus entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem
  • iVenture Accelerator - Enables student-led startups to create economic and social value by supporting student entrepreneurs with knowledge, funding, and access to Illinois  resources and alumni
  • Office of Technology Management (OTM) - evaluates, patents, and licenses the University’s intellectual property
  • Research Park - Provides an environment where technology-based businesses can work with faculty and students to take advantage of opportunities for collaborative research and easy access to University labs, equipment and services
  • The Siebel Center for Design (SC4D) - The Siebel Center for Design is a leader in providing design thinking collaborative spaces, workshops, and innovative problem solving. 
  • Technology Entrepreneur Center (TEC) - An interdisciplinary center in the College of Engineering that provides students and faculty with the resources, courses, and experiences to become successful innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders

University of Illinois Faculty Utilizing Design Thinking Projects

Andrew Singer - Director, Technology Entrepreneur Center. Fox Family Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering

David Weightman - Professor of Industrial Design in the School of Art and Design