Engineering Design Innovationat the SEGAL DESIGN INSTITUTE, McCORMICK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Maria decided to pursue EDI to expand her capability to solve problems using a human and planet centered design approach. She wants to gain knowledge in order to support business to create sustainable solutions that will positively impact people's lives.

Experience before EDI: BS, Manufacturing Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Sales for Public Sector at Oracle; Product Design at Wildlife Studios. 

With a background in industrial design, Hanzhang has constantly worked on design projects that solve existing social issues related to healthcare, water sanitation, and sustainability. He aspires to deploy systematic designs to achieve social benefits. To Hanzhang, EDI provides him with a platform to freely experiment with innovations that enhances interactions between individuals. The program's focus aligns with his goal of using intuitive designs to deploy innovations to the public.

Experience before EDI: BFA, Industrial Design, Rhode Island School of Design.

For the past six years, Erik has been designing innovative defense structures for the Department of Defense. He quickly learned however that a product can accomplish the intended design purpose but not be user friendly, ultimately leading to a confusing and complex consumer experience. Through EDI, Erik hopes to redirect his design abilities to create groundbreaking technologies that provide a positive consumer experience.

Experience before EDI: BS, Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University - Idaho.

Yilin appreciates the small and diverse cohort in EDI where he can work with people with different backgrounds in a studio setting. He does not want to limit himself to designing behind the computer screen. Yilin hopes to expand his area of expertise by gaining hand-on experience on different formats of design, such as product and service design, and physical interactions in order to develop a comprehensive toolkit of methodologies that will advance his design thinking and design processes.

Experience before EDI: BS, Informatics, University of Washington.

The reason Sean chose EDI was because he really likes the academic diversity and flexibility of the curriculum in regards to design. Sean believes that EDI will enable him to further develop his design practice and collaborative skill, while also enrolling in technical mechanical engineering courses.

Experience before EDI: SAIC Art and Technology.

Darya sees EDI as an opportunity to further her interest in human interaction and learn how to create products and experiences that engage and inspire alongside designers of diverse backgrounds.

Experience before EDI: BS, Neuroscience & BS, Journalism, Northwestern University.

 

Palka's interest in human-centered design stems from the fact that it allows her to combine her technical and artistic inclinations with her fascination for studying human behavior. She chose EDI as it places significant emphasis on team collaboration within a project-based curriculum, while also fostering individual growth.

Experience before EDI: BTech, Computer Engineering. DJSCE. Product Design Intern, CryptoSensei; Frontend and Design Mentor, DJ Unicode.

Madeline decided to pursue EDI to further her knowledge and interest in product design, design engineering, and inclusive design. She is interested in a well rounded education that explores a plethora of design practices.

Experience before EDI: BFA, Industrial Design, STEM certified, Certificate in Innovation, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign. 

Monica’s purpose to improve people’s lives is what continues to spark her curiosity to tackle complex problems in the healthcare industry through a human-centered design. She decided to join EDI to be able to test her ideas in a diverse environment, broaden her leadership skills and expand her toolbox to navigate the challenges and uncertainty that accompanies true innovation.

Experience before EDI: BS, Industrial Engineering with minor in Systems, Instituto Técnologico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM-Mexico City). Management Consulting Manager, Novartis.

Samantha possesses a strong foundation in the field of design; her decision to join the EDI program was significantly influenced by its unwavering commitment to human-centered design principles. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she engaged in coursework centered on entrepreneurial product design, which broadened her perspective and unveiled a domain of design that caters to people’s desires, the business world, and the aspiration to construct more inclusive environments while enhancing accessibility. Samantha aspires to reshape our surroundings into ones that prioritize safety, convenience, and the enrichment of the human experience.

Experience before EDI: BA, Art, University of California, Santa Barbara. Graphic Design Intern, PAWS Chicago. 

Noble decided to continue his studies through Northwestern's EDI program because he believes that this program is uniquely built to help him pursue is goals of becoming an engineering consultant. During his undergraduate years at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Noble majored in Engineering Design and through this program he was introduced to human-centered design. EDI's focus on the human-centered design process really drew Noble into the program.

Experience before EDI: BS, Engineering Design, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Engineering Intern, Catalyst Product Development Group; Engineering Intern, Rose-Hulman Ventures; Engineering Intern, NTN Driveshaft.

Taylor's passion for innovation began at the age of 16 when her father had his leg amputated and replaced with a prosthesis. For a while, her goal was to go into prosthetics and orthotics so that she could continue the ingenious work others had done before her. However, as time passed, Taylor wondered if limiting herself to one design field was what she wanted. While she still wants to help people and create technological art like her father's prosthesis, Taylor decided to pursue EDI because it offers a more exploratory approach to the possibilities of design work.

Experience before EDI: BS, Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia.

Karen hopes to become a designer who can foster communities in the physical space, digital space and in-between. She believes the EDI program will open opportunities for her where she can focus on those pursuits and learn to communicate from devices to people to spaces. The EDI program stood out because of its breadth across multiple disciplines and the structure that allows students to choose what they would like to focus on. She is excited to be surrounded by likeminded individuals who can push her to her full creative potential.

Experience before EDI: BS, Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology.

Kaustubh was drawn towards the EDI program because of its focus on real-world problem solving, broad applicability, and opportunities for learning about design in all its facets. He would like to be able to explore a variety of design fields and specialize in physical products. While studying and working as an engineer he's focused on users' needs and would like to explore that further in the context of human-centered design. The curation of the ideal product or experience for a customer is a fascinating experience and Kaustubh wishes to hone these skills within EDI as a future leader in multi-disciplinary product development.

Experience before EDI: BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin. Manufacturing Mechanical Engineer, Nano-Master Inc, Semiconductor Devices; Mechanical Project Engineer, Dynetics, Space Division.

Alexandra is exceptionally curious about how design shapes people's view of the world. Through EDI, she aspires to learn what makes a design truly impactful through human-centered research and design. Alexandra aims to leverage her creative and analytical skills to develop innovative solutions.

Experience before EDI: BS, Cognitive Science, Computer Science Specialty, UCLA.

As a research based designer, Abiola is familiar with the importance of project collaborators and the value that is added when different perspectives/approaches converge. Abiola decided to pursue a study in Design Engineering because she wanted to reinforce her Industrial Design knowledge and making practices with more technical yet creative forms of thinking. Being that Abiola is keen on physically expressing her interest in healthcare innovation, the EDI program will allow her to pursue research based opportunities that will heighten and root her human-centered design process.

Experience before EDI: BFA, Industrial Design, Rhode Island School of Design; Fulbright-Nehru, Healthcare Design Research Fellow; Lam Research, Process Analyst Intern.

Brittany decided to pursue EDI because she believes that it disrupts the notion that engineering can only operate in one lane and cater only to certain specified industries. Architectural concepts have inspired Brittany to pursue the field of design. She believes that great design surpasses aesthetics to positively shape both people and culture. Brittany chose EDI because of its challenge to not only see design as a tool, but a responsibility to people and society. She also chose EDI because it would allow her to connect with like-minded individuals in the pursuit of innovation.

Experience before EDI: BS, Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University. Sales Engineering Intern, Trane Technologies; Research Engineer, The University of Alabama in Huntsville.

Ashley chose EDI to further develop her technical design skills and explore various design areas of interest. Her undergraduate experience at Northwestern introduced her to the potential that human-centered design holds. Her passion for industrial design pushed her to further her education to become a more well-rounded designer.

Experience before EDI: BA, Art Theory & Practice, and Segal Design Certificate, Northwestern University. Design Intern, The Homemore Project.

Audey wanted the next chapter in her life to be all about expanding her knowledge and fueling her curiosity. She was drawn to EDI because of the program's interdisciplinary focus with an emphasis on human-centered design. She believes the program's hands-on approach will allow her to be creative while broadening her technical skills. Audey is excited to solve real world problems with a cohort of like-minded and diverse group of people.

Experience before EDI: BA, Communications, University of Southern California. Packaging Design Engineer, Yuto USA; Packaging Design Engineer, Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (Kendo).

Paige chose EDI because it's a creative, supportive space in which she can solve complex, real-world problems and develop both technical and human-centered design skills. She was drawn to EDI's multidisciplinary community of students with whom she can learn and grow, and looks forward to leveraging her background in learning sciences to build inclusive experiences.

Experience before EDI: BS, Learning Science, Northwestern University. Learning Experience Designer, Accenture.

Zhipeng is interested in product design and enjoys exploring the appearance and practicality of the products around him. Zhipeng's favorite product is the original iPod released by Apple in 2001. He was attracted by its compact appearance and the click wheel that switches songs with the slide of the finger. Zhipeng understands from this product that a good designer must understand the users' need. The curriculum of EDI is very much in line with Zhipeng's pursuit of human-centered design.

Experience before EDI: BFA, Graphic Design, Boston University.

Tony not only resonates with EDI's mission of teaching human-centered design to a vastly diverse student body but is also drawn to the highly flexible curriculum and studio culture. He believes that EDI can help him gain insights into different product-related fields and coordinates various resources to create products that can be appreciated by designers, understood by engineers, and loved by users.

Experience before EDI: BA, Economics, UCLA. Co-Founder, Kudos; Product Design Intern, System1; Partnership, Sony Electronics.

Ibrahima's decision to pursue EDI stems from his undergraduate experience, where he pursued the Segal Design Certificate at Northwestern University. Through various design classes and projects, he found himself both challenged and motivated to produce tangible results. The stimulating environment fueled his passion for design. The Ford building, equipped with all the necessary tools and resources, seems like the perfect place to cultivate his skills and pursue a career in product design. The balance between research, computer work, and hands-on building and iteration offered by the Northwestern EDI program resonates with his preferences, making it the ideal choice for him.

Experience before EDI: BS, Industrial Engineering, Northwestern University. OMS Intern at L’Oreal; Engineering Intern at LAM Research.

Sam chose to pursue the EDI program because it aligns with her passion for people and product creation. Having worked as a teacher, orientation leader, and improv comedy enthusiast, Sam has always been deeply connected to human interaction and communication. These experiences have fueled her interest in psychology and the potential to design products and services that benefit people and industries. Sam's current experience is very technical. She hopes to not only expand out into the design world but also take advantage of the flexible elective options by diving even deeper into other avenues of engineering she has yet to venture into.

Experience before EDI: BS, Mechanical Engineer, Northeastern University. Innovation Engineer at New Balance. 

One aspect that drew Johnny to the EDI program was the ability to choose areas of interest such as healthcare, consumer products, and physical product design. Through these specializations, coupled with the hands-on nature of the curriculum, Johnny believes that EDI will enable him to refine his technical skills, test his designs in real-life scenarios, and prepare him for the challenges of launching and managing a successful business in the competitive field of healthcare technology.

Experience before EDI: BS, Business Administration (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), University of Southern California. Associate Product Manager at HiLink.

Tiffany chose the EDI program due to the close-knit nature of the cohort and the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of hands-on experiences in human-centered design.

Experience before EDI: BFA, Illustration and minor in Graphic Design, Parsons School of Design.

Eva's goal is to bridge the gap between technology and design, crafting solutions that are both robust and user-friendly. She envisions a future where her work contributes to more seamless, accessible, and inclusive technologies. She believes that the best designs emerge from a genuine understanding of and connection with the people they serve.

Experience before EDI: BS, Interactive Design, James Madison University. Lead UI Designer and Founding Member at ElevraAI; Product Development Intern at BSI. 

Josh has built a strong base of skills in both engineering and design in his work as an engineering professional, startup product designer, and as a freelance graphic designer. At his core, the synthesis of a design and facilitation of this process is what Josh finds the most rewarding. He is excited for the opportunity to work on human-centered design challenges within the EDI course framework. Josh hopes to combine his engineering and design skills with the design research and project management skills he will learn through EDI, allowing him to break into roles which enable him to facilitate product development.

Experience before EDI: BS, Mechanical Engineering, BS, Creative Technology & Design, and Certificate in Engineering Leadership, University of Colorado. Mechanical Engineer at Boulder iQ and Boulder Sterilization; Product Engineer at MODL Outdoors.

Lauren chose to pursue human-centered design through the EDI program because of her passion for creating. Her favorite part about pursuing an undergraduate degree in engineering was working with others to discuss ideas, make prototypes, and experience those breakthrough moments on projects. Lauren aims to continue building on those experiences to learn more about human-centered design principles in action. The program’s studio culture provides hands-on challenges in the intensely collaborative environment that she thrives in.

Experience before EDI: BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh.

Rachel is driven to explore innovative and tangible approaches to human-technology interactions. At EDI, Rachel looks forward to further developing her technical skills and mastering all the tools in the Shop, collaborating and learning from the diverse cohort, and emerging as a T-shaped hybrid design practitioner.

Experience before EDI: BA, Data Science, University of California, Berkeley.

Jack chose to study EDI as a way to use his passion for engineering to drive positive change. By leading with interdisciplinary teams, Jack hopes to combine his formal skills with his many interests to create innovations that solve people’s biggest problems. Jack is also energized by human connection and will take any opportunity to meet new people and learn about their problems and aspirations. Jack believes that with EDI, this energizing activity is transformed into a career. By developing skills in design research, Jack is driven to be immersed in the problem focused spaces in order to build a truly empathetic design methodology.

Experience before EDI: BS, Mechanical Engineering, Marquette University. Mechanical Engineer at Brooks Stevens Inc.

Xinran realized from her previous experiences that more training in technology, specifically computer science, is essential. She believes that excellent, genuinely human-centered designs require a deeper understanding and adept application of technology, and the potential of technology is fully realized through elegant design. Through EDI, Xinran believes she can become a competent interaction designer, using her skills to create more inclusive experiences for users while focusing on the intersection of design and social impact.

Experience before EDI: BA, Psychology & BOD, Human-Computer Interaction, University of Washington.

Phoenix chose EDI because he believes that the program has a inclusive and welcoming culture that encourages people to pursue their passion, and has strong resources and professional connections. Phoenix has a particular passion in design and enjoys the process of addressing people's pain points and converting them into new design products. He believes joining the EDI can help him best achieve his goals and aspirations.

Experience before EDI: BFA, Industrial Design, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

There are many different voices that exist in the world who believe that some technologies and/or products are not designed for one to easily interact with. Ann aspires to curate designs to become more approachable, accessible, and convenient and was drawn to the EDI program due to its interdisciplinary nature and strong focus on the human element. Ann is excited to learn from others in her cohort and collaborate with them on various projects.

Experience before EDI: B.Arch, Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology with minors in Business Administration, Human-Computer Interaction, and Design for Learning, Carnegie Mellon University. Product Intern at Whisper Aero.

Susan decided to pursue the field of human-centered design because it seamlessly combines her passion for creativity with her desire to make a meaningful impact on people's lives. She chose the EDI program because of its strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and its holistic approach to design. The program's focus on combining engineering, design, and business perspectives aligns perfectly with Susan’s career goals. She is particularly excited about the opportunity to work on real-world projects and engage with industry leaders; she believes this will significantly enhance her skills and broaden her understanding of the impact of design.

Experience before EDI: BDes, Design with an additional major in Human-Computer Interaction, Carnegie Mellon University.

Riley felt that the EDI program wholeheartedly captured her spirit for design. She believes that the program’s human-centered approach differentiates it from other academic design programs, and truly inspires the next generation of design engineers. Riley was drawn to the program’s wide variety of human-centered design opportunities and the program felt like home the moment she learnt about it.

Riley’s previous experience designing airline seating and improving vehicle safety helped spark her love for creating for people. She is energized to expand her knowledge in design and make the world a better place one compassionate design decision at a time.

Experience before EDI: BS, Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Engineering Design, Pennsylvania State University. Industrial Equipment Engineer at Parker LORD Corporation; NSF REU Student at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in the Center for Injury Research and Prevention.

May chose to pursue EDI because it combines innovative problem-solving with human-centered design in a versatile way. During her undergraduate studies and work experience, she developed interests in designing for social impact and healthcare which rely on human-centered design to achieve meaningful results. She is excited about the EDI program as it merges her interests and allows her to enhance them through collaborative and hands-on learning.

Experience before EDI: BFA, Graphic Design, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. UX Designer at AbbVie.

In his evolution as a designer, Jack grew to recognize the potential of design beyond aesthetics. His exploration of Web and UX Design introduced him to the concept of human-centered design and its potential to address critical issues in technology. Jack decided to pursue EDI due to the interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum. He believes that learning from different perspectives will allow him to become a better communicator and designer. Jack is keen on learning more about entrepreneurship and healthcare innovation.

Experience before EDI: BS, Graphic Design, University at Buffalo. Design Intern at MoneyLion; Product Designer at 9 Earth LLC. 

Ramya chose the EDI program for its unique combination of design and engineering, which aligns perfectly with her passion for creating user-centric, inclusive solutions. She values EDI’s project-based learning and collaborative environment, where she can tackle real-world challenges alongside a diverse community. Influenced by her personal experiences, Ramya is committed to making design accessible and believes the EDI program will help her refine her skills and approach, empowering her to drive impactful, human-centered design.

Experience before EDI: BS, Computational Media, Georgia Institute of Technology. Human Interface Design Intern at Apple.

For Isabel, the EDI program is a unique opportunity to dive deep into the fascinating intersection of engineering, design, and innovation, providing the space and resources to explore and bring ideas to life every step of the way.

Experience before EDI: Bachelor´s in Mechatronics Engineering, Tecnológico de Monterrey.

The EDI program’s strong emphasis on innovation and using design to make the world a better place resonates deeply with Z’s own values and aspirations; he is motivated to push the boundaries of traditional design practices. After completing 5 years of design studies and experiences, Z’s next step will be to deepen his skills in product design with a human-centered approach, while broadening his understanding of sustainability and entrepreneurship.

Experience before EDI: BS, Product Design, ArtCenter College of Design.

Krishna's previous experiences as a software engineer in tech, healthcare and e-commerce spaces showed him the significance of UX design and research. The EDI program was a natural choice for him because its interdisciplinary nature allowed him to complement his engineering background with design and entrepreneurship learning. The small cohort size, industry focus and application oriented curriculum further drew him to the program.

Experience before EDI: BS, Computer Science, Purdue University. Product Manager and Software Engineer at NectarOM.

Jimmia's interest in crafting digital experiences stems from her past experience working behind the scenes of theatrical productions in high school. In college, this love translated into an interest to learn more about the world of human-centered design; an internship at IBM later solidified her interest in a design research focused Ccreer. Jimmia's goal is to utilize the knowledge she obtains from EDI to further refine her skills in design research to help her continue crafting products that spark joy for others.

Experience before EDI: BS, Informatics & BSA, Human Ecology, University of Texas at Austin. UX Research Intern at IBM.

Hao's journey in design has been driven by a pursuit of innovative, user-centered solutions. Highlighting the importance of innovative design and user-centric methodologies, Hao is drawn to EDI's focus on developing T-shaped designers—those who excel in one area while exploring other domains.

Experience before EDI: BA, Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts, University of California, San Diego.

Siyu is drawn to EDI for its emphasis on human-centered design, which aligns with his experience and philosophy in industrial design. He values EDI's project-based learning experience and collaboration with companies, which allows him to solve problems in real-world scenarios. EDI's studio culture and focus on teamwork also appeal to him. Siyu looks forward to bringing his creativity to EDI.

Experience before EDI: BID, Industrial and Product Design, Pratt Institute. Next Business & Design Intern at American Honda Motor Company.

Having majored in mechanical engineering during his undergraduate studies, Sihan spent significant time on machine and software design. This experience sparked his interest in understanding how 'human-centered' principles should be integrated into all future designs. Sihan believes that studying a broad engineering discipline will provide a comprehensive understanding of the engineering industry. This holistic approach will enable him to excel not only as an engineer and designer but also as a manager, balancing technical expertise with leadership skills.

Experience before EDI: BS, Mechanical Engineering, Boston University.

After graduating and working as a full-time UX designer, Patrick realized there was a gap between his work and the impact he wanted to make. He's now actively seeking to refine his design scope in the areas of product design and user experience design to create the most social impact.

Experience before EDI: B.A. Communication Design, Washington University in St. Louis
(2nd Major: Supply Chain Management and Minor in East Asian Studies)