D-Lab: Design

D-Lab: Design Voya Sol team, 2018.
D-Lab: Design Voya Sol team, 2018.

Addressing development challenges in international communities with a focus on design thinking and prototyping.

 

Using the design thinking framework with a focus on human-centered design, student teams connect with innovative global start-ups and nonprofits to solve global challenges in health, agriculture, sanitation, climate, and social entrepreneurship. Particular attention is placed on constraints faced when designing with partners in resource-limited settings. Topics covered include design for affordability, sustainability, and strategies for working respectfully with community partners. 

Team & Projects

Multidisciplinary student teams work on semester-long projects in collaboration with international community partners. Some projects are unique for a given semester while others pay be continuations of projects begun by students in previous D-Lab classes. Following training in the D-Lab workshop in woodwork and metalwork, students have 24/7 shop access for prototyping assignments throughout the semester. 

Co-instructors

Ankita Singh and Eliza Squibb

Related News & Blog Posts

Improving emergency transport in Langa, South Africa 2025

D-Lab: Design: Awesome! 2018

D-Lab: Design – What’s new for Spring 2018!

Course Information

Instructor(s)
Semester Offered
Spring
Lecture Location
N51-310
Lecture Times
MW2:30-5
Units (credit hours)
3-0-9
Class Size
30
Grading
A/B/C/D/F
Course #
2.722J / EC.720