Advanced Studies in Design and Innovation Management Certificate

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Design is revolutionizing business, and business needs bold leaders designing what's next.

That's why we created the Advanced Studies in Design and Innovation Management Certificate. It exposes business people to the process of design thinking and teaches designers how to build strategies for business.

Our goal: advancing business through innovation. It's about using design as a business tool. We're equipping leaders to take a new approach, promoting design as a change agent for business. Sound interesting? It's time to take a seat at the table.

Now accepting applications for the Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 semesters.

Cohorts for the Advanced Studies in Design and Innovation Management Certificate begin in the following semesters: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (August).

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Who is the Advanced Studies in Design and Innovation Management Certificate for?

How will I benefit from earning an Advanced Studies in Design and Innovation Management Certificate?

How does the Advanced Studies in Design and Innovation Management Certificate work?

The Advanced Studies in Design and Innovation Management Certificate program blends synchronous and asynchronous online learning formats for a flexible structure that caters to a variety of learning styles. The coursework is taught online by KCAD faculty. The weekend learning, brainstorming, simulation and collaboration sessions are taught in a synchronous online format at the beginning and end of each seven-week course.

The certificate can be completed in two semesters.

Online classes

Online classes provide a convenient and engaging way to interact with professors and other students, using communication tools such as Canvas, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Docs.

You will need to have consistent access to a computer with internet capabilities. A satellite, DSL or cable modem connection is recommended.

Course delivery is via assigned online learning platforms. Assignments are posted and submitted online, and class/group discussions and chat are conducted online. Reading assignments are based on both textbooks and linked documents contained in the class portal.

MORE ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING AT KCAD/FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

Weekend sessions

The intensive weekend sessions are held at the beginning and end of each seven-week course. They are led by KCAD faculty, who often invite business leaders renowned for their design leadership expertise as guest lecturers. Because course content is updated constantly, the sessions will be different for each course. Local community resources are used to provide a design experience and establish context for the coursework.

Weekend sessions are held on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 am 3:30 pm. KCAD faculty guide the sessions and provide guidelines for group/team assignments as well as the final project.

Because the weekend sessions are critical to the courses, they are mandatory. Please be sure, before enrolling in a course, that you are available on the necessary weekends.

Flexibility

Active professionals lead busy lives. Between work and family, it can be intimidating to add on advanced education. And yet, education is such an important investment in your future that it can't be ignored.

The Advanced Studies in Design and Innovation Management Certificate has been designed around the lives of working professionals. Online coursework allows students to work around other obligations, while weekend sessions allow uninterrupted focus time.

Business leaders

Industry changes at the pace of business. To ensure that Certificate course material is always up-to-the minute, content changes constantly, and KCAD brings in working professionals renowned for their design leadership to facilitate project-based learning during weekend sessions.

Coursework is guided by a team of KCAD faculty with both experience and expertise in the areas of design thinking, user-centered design, communications, sustainability/triple bottom line, and design/business leadership. Each faculty member is committed to providing focused learning experiences that explore and expand students' knowledge in design thinking, while providing practical tools and techniques for direct application to their careers.

Recent visiting professionals and contributors to the course of study have been recognized business leaders who are experts in the sustainability, design leadership, manufacturing, and hospitality industries. They provide real-world, real-time insight and exercises, helping develop and critique collaborative projects while providing connection and context to the course.

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Andrea Jordan
Graphic Design Project Manager
Perrigo Company plc

"The Certificate helped me build the tools, strategies, and confidence to reframe challenges as opportunities for positive change and growth"

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Jon Carfagno
Executive Director
Mobile Museum of Art

"My experience empowered me to believe I could do this job and that I had differentiating value. It showed me that museums can be designed to bring people together."

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Lauren Cole
Strategic Account Executive
MillerKnoll

"Being able to carry design thinking practices into my career has been a differentiator. It isn’t enough to make great product anymore – we have to be great storytellers and clearly define how we can positively impact our client’s process."

The Advanced Studies in Design and Innovation Management Certificate is a series of four graduate-level courses addressing specific areas of design/business integration.

KDES 650 Design and Innovation Process Management

This course examines the ways in which design methodologies are applied to research, synthesize and innovate to unique solutions.

Students will:

Compare and contrast design strategy and business strategy
Differentiate between market research and design research, methodologies, analysis, and tools
Construct methods and evaluate tools for product/problem concept refinement, measurement, and evaluation
Organize and develop a design and test its relevance to the stated goals

KDES 651 Design Communication Management

This course examines the practices of communication particular to design including key concepts methods of research, and means of reaching varied audiences.

Students will:

Apply key words and concepts of design language/vocabulary, e.g., lifestyle brand, user centered, ergonomics, etc.
Compare and contrast communication tools and methods used in design research, e.g., qualitative/quantitative papers and briefs, observation, surveys, focus groups, etc.
Choose and compare the methods of communicating design and innovation ideas and concepts to non-designers

KDES 750 Sustainable Design and Systems Management

This course examines sustainable organizations, product development systems, and processes involving research, analysis, synthesis, and implementation.

Students will:

Analyze the nature and evolution of sustainable systems/business practices
Determine an operational framework for sustainable systems that adds strategic value to an organization and the products/services it provides
Apply methods used to test/present sustainable design solutions, e.g. prototyping, scenario development, storyboarding, user observation, simulation, etc.
Develop and propose a product or service including business plan and organizational structures

KDES 751 Leadership By Design

This course examines ways in which leaders may structure the interrelationships between design processes, design communications, consumer-centric design thinking, and organizational systems using research, analysis, synthesis, and implementation to foster a creative culture throughout the organization.

Students will:

Analyze the ways leaders may use design to enable organizational and management vision
Compare and contrast innovative leadership styles and creative cultures
Illustrate the value of interdisciplinary collaboration to support an innovative environment
Apply methodologies to evaluate innovation and consumer-centered design

The Advanced Studies in Design and Innovation Management Certificate, taken either alone or as part of a Master of Arts in Design degree, is an investment in your future. KCAD is committed to offering a cutting-edge program at an affordable price. Loans may be available for students enrolling in the full Master of Arts in Design program.

Both Master of Arts in Design students and Certificate-only students may be eligible for tuition assistance through their current employers. Please check with your company's Human Resources department.

TUITION & EXPENSE INFORMATION