Product Development Project (PDP)

In PDP, bachelor students 6th semester plus and master students work on resolving broad business and societal challenges using design thinking methods. 3 to 4 students from Mannheim and the same number of students from another European university form a team. Accompanied and guided by experienced coaches they learn to develop innovative products and service concepts. Close collaboration with a corporate partner ensures high practical relevance of the solutions. This way, they are prepared for tackling the innovations of tomorrow.

At the end of the course, the final concept is in the form of an executable prototype. The university collaborations take place within the Design Factory Global Network (DFGN).

PROCEDURE

To apply, send an email to inno.space. Our courses start a week before lectures begin, so we would ask you to contact us early if you are interested, preferably in the semester before!

To align with the semester dates of the partner university, the project often starts and ends 1-2 weeks before the Mannheim lecture times. There are weekly appointments with the course coaches to guide you through the project. In addition, you need to arrange meetings with your team. The average workload per week is 1,5 to 2 days. A visit of the partner university (3 to 4 days) is planned, free of charge for the team members (when circumstances allow it).

The project requires sufficient commitment and promises an exciting and intensive learning experience within a vibrant community.

KEY FACTS

• Open for bachelor students 6th semester plus and master students from all faculties of the Mannheim University of Applied Sciences
• Duration: 4 months (mid March - beginning of July & October - January)
• Credits: 10 ECTS (The recognition of credits is handled by the respective faculty.) The workload is 1,5 to 2 days a week.

Global Digital Innovation Project (GDIP)

GDIP allows students to address real-world challenges in the area of digital innovation using Design Thinking methods. They develop solutions in the form of physical and digital prototypes that show the desirability, viability and feasibility of their concept. The overall goal is to acquire the skills necessary to deal with an ever-changing and complex work environment with an international, interdisciplinary setup. The challenges are provided by a company, an NGO or a public-sector organization and arise from the current pressure in the area of digital transformation.

The course is organized as an action-based project with international teams: three to four students from Mannheim and three to four students of a partner university from the Design Factory Global Network (DFGN).

PROCEDURE

Our courses start a week before lectures begin, so we would ask you to contact us early if you are interested, preferably in the semester before! To apply send a short motivation letter and your CV to the inno.space e-mail.

The international team of 6 to 8 works on one company challenge with a teaching team guiding them throughout process. In several sprints the students work on assignments leading them through the problem solving process and different facets of innovation. Several methods like user research, problem reframing, prototyping, user testing, etc. are introduced. At the end of the semester the student team presents one solution to the problem as proof-of-concept demonstrator.

The course is suitable for students with a strong interest in working in an international setting. Moderate English skills are required to handle the communication with the international partner. The students get the chance to learn state-of-the-art methods in Design Thinking and problem solving and they gain international experience.

KEY FACTS

• Open for bachelor students from all faculties: 6^th or 7^thsemester
• Duration: 4 months (September - December)
• Credits: 5 ECTS (The recognition of credits is handled by the respective faculty.). The workload is approx. 1 day a week.
• For more information, see the GDIP presentation

Prototype It Yourself (PIY)

You have a good idea and want to find out if it can be implemented in the real world? Or you don’t have an idea, but would still like to participate in a hands-on project? Then you’ve come to the right place. In Prototype It Yourself you will learn how to create prototypes in various forms and, above all, what you can do with prototypes. In interdisciplinary teams of students from various universities in Baden-Württemberg, you will learn how to operate digital manufacturing (e.g. 3D Printers, Vinyl Cutter, Laser Cutter) equipment and how to flesh out and perfect ideas.

This course is organized in a blended setup, which includes: lectures online, lab and developing prototypes at inno.space. At the end of the course, you will present the final concept in the form of an executable prototype..

PROCEDURE

The interdisciplinary team of 3 to 6 works on one idea with a teaching team guiding them throughout process. In several sprints the students work on assignments leading them through the problem solving process and different facets of innovation. Several methods like user research, prototyping, user testing, etc. are introduced.

The course is suitable for students with a strong interest in working in an interdisciplinary setting. The students get the chance to learn state-of-the-art methods in Design Thinking and problem solving and they gain prototyping experience.

KEY FACTS

• Open for bachelor and master students from the faculties Biotechnology, Design, Computer Science, Information Technology, Industrial Engineering: from the 3^rdsemester on
• Duration: 4-5 months (September - January)
• Credits: 5 ECTS (The recognition of credits is handled by the respective faculty.). The workload is approx. 1 day a week.