It all starts with
PEOPLE.
We teach design innovators to apply a human-centered approach to problem-solving and expand the research frontiers of design. Discover our range of programs featuring hands-on, interdisciplinary projects that solve real problems for real people.
Design Innovation is about
mindset, process, and tools.
News and Events
Keep up-to-date with our latest news stories and explore our upcoming events.
Recent News
Bringing Paper Puppets to Life
from the Engineering Design Innovation (EDI) program
Re-Boot for Winter
from Northwestern Magazine
Student Entrepreneurs Driving to Success with Football Card Game
from Northwestern Engineering
Events
Gareth Asten Guest Speaker Event
October 4
11:00 AM
Application for degree due to The Graduate School to receive a degree in Fall Quarter
October 20
All Day
Jason Kakoyiannis Guest Speaker Event
October 25
11:00 AM
Carmichael Roberts Guest Speaker Event
November 1
11:00 AM
Human-Centered Design Projects
At both the graduate and undergraduate level, our students work on projects that produce tangible results and improve the lives of people around the world. Our team-based approach to education encourages students to use design thinking together to solve complex, authentic problems in product, interaction, service, and business design.
The Alligator Tail
A V-shaped aluminum rail that hooks onto the axle of a wheelchair.
New wheelchair users risk falling backward while learning how to perform a wheelie, a critical skill for navigating in a wheelchair.
While The Alligator Tail is attached, the user will be safely caught if they tip back beyond their point of balance.
inControl
A video game controller designed for patients who have hemiplegia.
A recreational therapist observed that patients with hemiplegia have trouble playing video games with a controller designed for two hands.
A team of students designed a controller by mapping both joysticks to the user’s functioning hand.
CattleTECH
CattleTECH, a system of high-visibility collars and a virtual tether post.
In Thailand, the cooperatively-run Raitong Organics Farm is transitioning to a free-range cell grazing system, but faces challenges.
Students worked with farmers to address two problems facing the farm: cattle visibility and tetherless grazing.
Who we work with
What we teach
The interdisciplinary academic programs at the Segal Design Institute provide undergraduate and graduate students with collaborative training at the forefront of innovation and human-centered design. Explore our opportunities to find a program that best fits your goals.
Undergraduate Study
Whether you're looking to take a single design course or earn your bachelor's degree or certificate in design, Segal provides a wide range of exciting opportunities for undergraduates.
Master's Graduate Study
Discover the right program to position yourself for the next step in your career in industry, research, or academia.
PhD Graduate Study
We do not offer a PhD program, but we're part of a larger ecosystem of centers and labs pursuing design-related academic research at Northwestern. PhD students interested in design-related research can explore the Design Research Cluster, an interdisciplinary doctoral program sponsored by the McCormick School of Engineering and The Graduate School at Northwestern.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF
Design Innovation
Design innovation creates value using design-centric tools and frameworks such as empathy, visualization, prototyping, and iteration. By acquiring design innovation skills, we are prepared to find and frame problems, identify opportunities, and innovate across a variety of spaces. We are ready to bring our ideas to life.
Learn more about Design Innovation