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Five Questions With Lizzi Ross

By

Emily Gowdey-Backus

-

07/14/2017

PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

1. What was the catalyst behind RISD’s Design for Manufacturing Innovation certificate program launched in September 2016? This program was developed in partnership with R.I. Commerce Corp., R.I. Manufacturers Association and Polaris MEP as part of a $3.3 million Commerce project ($2.9 million in federal funding) to grow the state’s defense-manufacturing sector. Aimed at senior

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1. What was the catalyst behind RISD’s Design for Manufacturing Innovation certificate program launched in September 2016? This program was developed in partnership with R.I. Commerce Corp., R.I. Manufacturers Association and Polaris MEP as part of a $3.3 million Commerce project ($2.9 million in federal funding) to grow the state’s defense-manufacturing sector. Aimed at senior manufacturing leaders and line managers, it’s designed to help companies innovate by integrating design strategy for stronger manufacturing development. 2. How can improved design thinking and processes benefit companies? These concepts, combined with entrepreneurial applications, will help manufacturing leaders uncover new business-growth opportunities and management strategies. Course topics include design thinking and design intelligence, user insights and opportunities, collaboration, facilitation and leadership. 3. The certificate was cited in a National Endowment for the Arts report. Has that publicity increased interest? This recognition brings national attention to the important work being done in Rhode Island. ... I have received inquiries about the program from local and regionally based companies. I’m hoping that this report may build interest from manufacturers and organizations across the country. 4. How has this program helped manufacturing leaders develop cultures of innovation in their companies? Two of the most resounding outcomes have been their commitment to developing cultures of creativity … [and] development of a new innovation-focused community in which manufacturing leaders use design processes to create new ways of thinking about their companies and their work. 5. The certificate is the first course in RISD’s Design for Innovation program. What else can the professional community look forward to in this series? Design-led innovation facilitates the development of creative, confident and collaborative cultures capable of advancing sustainable systems change. … We look forward to diversifying our Institute for Design and Public Policy community and announcing new programs in the coming months.