In this course student teams design a new product or service suitable for commercialization.  One past project to improve the efficiency of finding parking spaces was awarded commitments of over 2 million dollars for a trial implementation in the city of Stockholm.  A public restroom sanitation product designed in the class was chosen for seed funding from the Maine Technology Institute.

Teams originate their own product/service idea or select from ideas supplied by entrepreneurs.  In the classroom, the students receive instruction in the latest and most successful techniques of design firms such as IDEO and Continuum and product companies like Apple.  The course also includes visits to local design firms and instruction from local specialists including a patent attorney and a prototyping expert.

To participate in this course you must have completed the bulk of the core requirements, including a business plan or business feasibility course. 

Course Instructor

Professor Pieter VanderWerf, a technology manager who has started two companies, has designed or co-designed dozens of products, holds four patents, and currently consults to inventors and companies working to develop new products or services.