Incoming VCU Engineering students now have a chance to earn a credential in user-experience design
Before classes begin this fall, the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University will offer its incoming first-year students the opportunity to earn an “Introduction to Design Thinking” credential from the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation.
“This industry-recognized credential is part of our overall strategy to provide a modern engineering education,” said Gregory E. Triplett, Ph.D., the college’s senior associate dean for academic affairs and a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “We are committed to preparing our engineering students for solving new engineering challenges.”
Design thinking, or human-centered design, focuses on the experience of an end-user, said Garret Westlake, Ph.D., executive director of the da Vinci Center. Westlake cites Apple’s iPhone as “a great example of an innovative product that was designed to meet user needs. The result is the brand loyalty and iconic nature of the iPhone.”
Students who complete a da Vinci Center workshop will earn a certificate through corporate trainer ExperiencePoint that is recognized by employers. “It’s not just a VCU credential,” Westlake said. “This will make VCU Engineering students more competitive for internships and other opportunities earlier in their academic career.”
Read the full article on the VCU Engineering News >>
Register for an upcoming Design Thinking workshop >>
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