Innovation Minor Program

The innovation minor provides a formal structure to introduce and develop the innovative mindset. The innovative mindset understands and applies design as the synthesis of thought and action in identifying and solving problems and imagining new futures. Practices of engagement, social inequities, technological advancements, environmental change: everything in this world has been designed. Through challenge-based coursework embedded with experiential learning opportunities students gain skillsets found in practices of design strategy, ethnographic fieldwork, making and prototyping, and persuasive storytelling. The experience culminates in a team-driven industry sponsored practicum that may engage with an individual, family, local community, organization, the city of Portland, and beyond.

Limited to 25 students per cohort, the program is open to all majors and concentrations creating spaces for interdisciplinary collaboration and opportunities for students to push the boundaries of their areas of interest. Students are encouraged to apply in their first or second year with each cohort starting in the Spring semester. As a 15-credit program, students complete four required 3-credit courses and an additional 3-credit elective. The innovation minor courses are: INV 200 Introduction to Design and Innovation, INV 300 Ethnography, Co-Creation, Usability, INV 350 Critical Making, Sketching, and Prototyping, and INV 400 Industry Sponsored Innovation Practicum. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisors for more information on how the innovation minor courses may count towards professional electives or outside electives.

See the Innovation Minor website for examples of the student experience. For more information about the program contact Salvador Orara, director of innovation, University of Portland, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR 97203-5798. Telephone (503) 943-7841, email orara@up.edu.