We take joy, beauty, and connectedness seriously
University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business approached Play Orbit to develop a design-based graduate course and studio space designed for teaching “rare and valuable skills” to non-design students working on complex real-world problems. Working closely with Associate Dean Jerry Davis, Play Orbit came forward with a coordinated system design across four opportunity arenas: content, structure within the curriculum, culture, and mindset, resulting in the +Impact Studio — the first-of-its-kind, credit-bearing design thinking course and studio space implemented within a business school.
The Challenge I
Establish Ross as a leader in ethical and sustainable business innovation by creating a credit-bearing experience where students learn rare and valuable skills and create tangible positive impact.
The Outcome I
A system of design interventions, including a course that teaches students and faculty a systems-based, human-centered methodology, a spatial design that fosters innovation, a curriculum structure and information design that nurtures and guides students across the full arc of the design process.
“Working with the Play Orbit team was an absolute joy! They researched, designed, and pushed our thinking forward in envisioning a space and graduate course that met and far exceeded our initial goals. Along the way, they were able to educate and empower us with the tools to carry forward the vision into execution. ”
The course content teaches students to apply a systems perspective to human-centered design—what Play Orbit calls Deep Design. Key elements that were realized in the Studio’s final design include:
Course syllabus tailored for multiple stakeholders: The syllabus is written to serve 3 different audiences: Instructors (teaching the teacher); Students (course work); Practicing professionals (contextual guidance for stepping in at key moments).
Interactive process map tool: Students and teachers can see where they are on the design arc and choose the frameworks, tools, approaches, and inspirations they find right for their pursuit and problem.
Environment designed to foster best design behaviors: An ecosystem of micro-environments, each designed and furnished with affordances to guide students and support the various modes of creative work, learning, and teaching.
Dedicated team project studios: Teams can make their thinking visual and know their information will persist as long as they need it.
Scalable structure that maximizes student learning (outcomes) and quality of +impact (output): Administrators can ensure consistency in outputs and outcomes whether 10 students enroll per semester or 60, so that the course fits and grows within the curriculum.
Interactive Map of the Innovation Ecosystem: The innovation groups distributed across campus now can access and populate an interactive map, fostering greater cooperation and collaboration.
New service roles: A Studio Coach provides real-time practical guidance to teams. A concierge welcomes, hosts, educates guests, and ensures the studio remains a creative “sacred space” within Ross.
“It would be impossible to imagine the +Impact Studio without Von and Miho of Play Orbit Studio. They were integral to helping us understand user needs, create classroom experiences and materials, design a ‘narrative arc,’ and imagine a space that provides a welcoming home for creativity and user-focused design.”
“The physical studio is an inspiring workspace that reflects the kind of vanguard thinking needed to turn students into designers and problem-solvers.”