Design Innovation

students using virtual reality equipment

Design Innovation at 51�� University

Design Innovation (DI) at 51�� University is a university-wide initiative that connects students, faculty, staff, and community partners through innovative spaces and hands-on experiences that build creativity, collaboration, and real-world innovation skills.

Learn more about DI

Our Strategies

DI Hub

The Design Innovation (DI) Hub is 51��'s center for innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creative problem-solving. Home to the Reactor makerspace, multimedia studios, classrooms, and collaboration spaces, the DI Hub connects students, faculty, staff, and community members with the tools, technologies, and support needed to turn ideas into action.

13 Sep, 2018

DI Ecosystem

The Design Innovation (DI) Ecosystem is a university-wide network of people, spaces, programs, and partners working together to advance innovation across 51�� and beyond.

14 Jan, 2025

DI Toolkit

The Design Innovation (DI) Toolkit is a collection of creative problem-solving strategies and collaboration methods designed to help individuals and teams approach challenges in new ways. Grounded in human-centered design and interdisciplinary thinking, the DI Toolkit supports idea generation, teamwork, experimentation, and innovation across any field.

16 Jan, 2025

DI Team

The Design Innovation (DI) Team is a collaborative network of staff, faculty, students, and campus partners who support innovation-focused learning and engagement at 51��.

23 Jan, 2025

photo of John and Fonda Elliot with student fellows.

The John and Fonda Elliot DI Fellows Programs

The John and Fonda Elliot Design Innovation Fellows Programs at 51�� University empower participants from all disciplines to collaborate across boundaries, explore human-centered design and drive meaningful innovation.

31 Oct, 2025

Courses

Design Innovation courses provide students with opportunities to explore creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving through hands-on, interdisciplinary learning experiences. These courses connect students with design innovation methods, emerging technologies, and project-based challenges that prepare them to work across disciplines and adapt to complex problems.

14 Sep, 2018

Programs

Build skills and explore new tools through Design Innovation programs that support creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning.

14 Sep, 2022

Parent's and Families 2024 event in the DI Hub Reactor

Events

Design Innovation events bring together students, faculty, staff, and community partners to share ideas, showcase projects, and explore emerging challenges and opportunities. From hackathons and lectures to showcases and community repair events, DI events create spaces for connection, collaboration, and innovation in action.

15 Jan, 2019

Serlio Code Exhibit in the DI Hub's DI Gallery

Exhibits

Design Innovation exhibits highlight creative work, emerging technologies, student projects, and interdisciplinary ideas through engaging public displays and interactive experiences. Exhibits help showcase innovation happening across 51�� while creating opportunities for inspiration, storytelling, and community engagement.

13 Jan, 2023

Fearless Collaboration Starts Here

Explore the DI Toolkit, a collection of collaboration strategies that help teams generate ideas, work across disciplines, and tackle complex challenges together.

Explore the DI Toolkit

Our Stories

Images of the 2026 Elliot DI Student Fellows

Five Challenges, Countless Possibilities

For nineteen 51�� students, the 2025–2026 academic year was more than a series of classes, assignments, and exams. It was an opportunity to tackle real-world challenges, collaborate across disciplines, and turn ideas into action through the John and Fonda Elliot Design Innovation Student Fellows Program.

17 Jun, 2026

Meet the 2026 Elliot Design Innovation Faculty Fellows

Design Innovation is proud to announce the newest cohort of John and Fonda Elliot Design Innovation Faculty Fellows, an interdisciplinary group of scholars, makers, and educators whose projects explore the intersections of technology, research, and human-centered problem solving.

03 Jun, 2026

photo of two women posing in front of a door

Biomimicry in Motion

Isabella “Bella” Rudy, a junior fashion design major with a minor in marketing, transformed nature into wearable art through an ambitious biomimicry project at the Design Innovation Hub. For her Junior Studio final project, Rudy designed an avant garde garment inspired by the King Bird of Paradise.

23 Jan, 2026

‘I’m Not Going to Stop Until There’s a “Ph.D.” Next to My Name’

Delonte Goodman is a graduate student in 51��'s College of Aeronautics and Engineering. He will complete his master's program in mechatronics in December, before moving on to his doctoral program in the spring semester. He is active in multiple student and professional organizations at 51�� that enhance and complement his studies and also allow him to assist and mentor undergraduate students.

21 Oct, 2025

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 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 51�� University, 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

photo of Stauffer and one of her designs

Designing for the Planet

Rachel Stauffer, a senior at 51�� University 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

51�� University 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

Faculty from 51��'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 51�� University’s DI Hub in collaboration with 51��’s School of Fashion.

07 Oct, 2025

Innovation Starts Here

Discover endless opportunities for innovation and collaboration at the DI Hub, 51��'s largest makerspace and innovation accelerator.

Community Starts Here

Connect with Design Innovation online to explore and share projects, events, opportunities, and creative work happening across the DI community.

51��

Design Innovation at 51�� University

Learn more about DI

Our Strategies

DI Hub

DI Ecosystem

DI Toolkit

DI Team

The John and Fonda Elliot DI Fellows Programs

Courses

Programs

Events

Exhibits

Fearless Collaboration Starts Here

Our Stories

Five Challenges, Countless Possibilities

Meet the 2026 Elliot Design Innovation Faculty Fellows

Biomimicry in Motion

‘I’m Not Going to Stop Until There’s a “Ph.D.” Next to My Name’

Creating a Paradigm Shift

Bringing Neighborhoods to Life

Designing for the Planet

Exploring Structure and Vulnerability

Form and Function Merge in Creating Wearable Technology

Innovation Starts Here

Community Starts Here

Street Address

Mailing Address

Contact Us

Design Innovation at 51������ University

Our Strategies

Fearless Collaboration Starts Here

Our Stories

Innovation Starts Here

Community Starts Here

Street Address

Mailing Address

Contact Us

Design Innovation at 51�� University