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Design Studio
In Design Studio, we integrate agile engineering processes, lean business development, and interdisciplinary design thinking into an iterative process for problem solving and product development - our unique brand of innovation. Our iterative development methodologies lead to the development of robust software products that address real problems and provide elegant solutions. Throughout the process, Design Studio teams are mentored by industry professionals from the community, helping teams more effectively communicate, overcome technical challenges, and drive innovation for their partners.
As the capstone program in the Raikes School, Design Studio integrates concepts from our unique computer science and business curriculum, reinforcing core concepts through four semesters of hands on learning. Students gain a head start in their careers by participating in product development teams, working with real clients to understand complex business requirements, and developing innovative solutions to wicked problems. The studio model ensures that, prior to graduation, each student in the Raikes School has gained the valuable experience of participating in the full software product development life cycle - from inception of the concept to deployment for the solution.
Endless Opportunity for Students

Create innovative applications and business processes to solve real-world problems

Gain valuable experience working with industry leaders in self-organizing teams

Develop a greater understanding of how business and computer science are used in companies

Work on a real software development project to develop strong project management skills prior to graduating

Form key networking contacts with top local and national companies.

Earn college credit while working with cutting edge technology to complete real software projects
Industry Partnerships
Design Studio serves as a connection point between academia and industry, creating a unique opportunity for our partners to engage some of the brightest minds on campus and leverage the value of a Big 10 research institution. Each year Design Studio engages industry partners who provide complex problems for which our student teams develop software solutions using industry best practices in software engineering and business development. This year, teams in Design Studio are completing the following projects:
Sponsor | Project |
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Compliant ResolutionHelp ALLO level up our resolution process to be industry leading by starting at our customer and working backwards. |
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BeaconDeveloping an autonomous, non-GPS reliant drone system for bridge inspections. |
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Reverse Job FairHelp remove barriers to employment by helping the Center for People in Need build a unique job platform. |
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Item Standardization Using Artificial IntelligenceStreamline the future of the building materials supply chain with artificial intelligence. |
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DyslexicoLeverage machine learning technology to provide seamless spelling and grammar corrections that are tailored to the Dyslexic mind. |
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AG Sustainability ProfilerVisualize dynamic geospatial data science calculations through a modern web app. |
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MontyMonty helps small business owners take control of their day-to-day finances so that they can focus on their own personal vision of success. |
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Cybertrust Service Framework for Account Holder Managed ConsentBuilding a secured consent platform, UX experiences, and immutable ledger database for creating secure interactions between Fiserv financial institutions, account holders, and fintech applications. |
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Athletic Director ExperienceMake Hudl a must-have tool for athletic directors to use to find insights into their athletic programs and connect with their coaches, athletes and fans. |
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Confined Spaces RoverHelp Kiewit keep people safe by creating a rover that can explore confined spaces so that humans don't have to! |
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Predictive StaffingUsing machine learning to predict future healthcare staffing needs to improve patient care. |
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Persistent CustomersIdentify life insurance customers that are likely to leave us and assist with implementing pilots to help save them. |
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Web 2.0Improve upon solution for a more efficient system of maintaining high school registration, eligibility, rosters, contacts, reports, and archives. |
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ClarityEnable Consumer Services to continue to grow by allowing lender information to be easily accessible and low-cost to maintain. |
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Project ZeroDeltaProject ZeroDelta accelerates the modeling of the real world in digital space. |
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Contact Center AI Sentiment AnalysisData visualization of sentiment analysis to monitor and assist calls with veterans. |
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Inbound Shipping Management and Pick Location OptimizationImproving the visibility of inbound inventory and optimizing its placement at our distribution center locations. |
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Inventory VerificationThe focus of this project is to provide a way to know the true state of inventory within a fulfillment center. |
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tapp BaseballDeveloping a native application that coaches and players can use to evaluate player performance. |
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Bank Location PredictorHelp us understand what variables determine bank branch placement and closure. |

Industry Collaboration
Students in Design Studio learn not only from top practitioner faculty, but also from industry leading experts. Whether it is a local software executive who gives a guest lecture on enterprise architecture or a CEO who coaches a Design Studio team, students regularly interact with and learn from top industry professionals. Regular collaboration between faculty, students, and industry partners creates an ecosystem unique to Design Studio that drives innovation at all levels. Through that collaboration, students and their teams are making big things happen every day.
Students in Design Studio not only learn from industry leaders, they innovate with them. Every year our students are developing new concepts, sharing creative ideas, enriching our partner organizations, and becoming members of their team.