DTC Project Timeline
DTC project partnerships coincide with 10-week academic terms that begin in September, January, and March. Please review the timeline below to learn how your experience as a DTC project partner will typically unfold during a term. We will work with you to determine specific dates and accommodate your availability.
Initial Meeting (1-2 hours)
Meet the student teams, pitch the project, and answer questions to help students get a clear understanding of your problem. Students and faculty will later discuss observations and existing challenges. Typically, this occurs early in the process. While in-person meetings are preferred, we're open to alternative methods like Zoom.
User Observation (1-2 hours)
Student teams connect with the people (or users) who will be impacted by the design. This will include observing individuals and their current processes. A minimum of one user observation is required. Typically, student teams meet these individuals early in the project.
User Feedback (1-2 hours)
Teams will test their initial solutions with you and intended users to gain your insights and feedback. This can be scheduled over one or two sessions roughly halfway through the project.
Final Presentations (1 hour)
Let’s join together to celebrate the culmination of our project. At the end of the term, your student teams will present their final design and how it addresses your design challenge. These final designs may feature physical models, CAD designs, storyboard, videos, or other methods that showcase their proof of concept. You will also receive a detailed report that contains the student teams’ research and findings from throughout the project.