Center for Design Thinking
Complex problems need innovative solutions — that's where design thinking comes in.
Manhattanville’s distinctive Center for Design Thinking (CDT) is a hub where students, expert faculty, and the greater New York and Westchester County community approach even the most complex problems with design thinking mindsets and methodologies.
Located within the charming President’s Cottage on our scenic campus, the Center invites students from all majors to engage in independent study, internships, attend design thinking classes, participate in workshops, and utilize advanced design and fabrication technology.
Five Phases of the Design Thinking Framework
The design thinking process unfolds in five steps:
- Empathy: Understand your users through observation and interviews, gaining insights into their needs, goals, and motivations. This step challenges assumptions and creates a foundation of empathy for solution development.
- Define: Based on empathy-driven insights, clearly articulate the problem to be solved. This clear understanding sparks inspiration and shapes the direction of ideation.
- Ideate: Encourage broad thinking to generate a wide array of potential solutions for the defined problem.
- Prototype: Select a promising solution and bring it to life through low-fidelity prototypes. This tangible representation allows for a more detailed exploration of the solution.
- Test: Assess the prototype's effectiveness by gathering user feedback. This step deepens understanding and guides further refinement.
In essence, human-centered design thinking is a continuous, iterative cycle, using thorough research methods to comprehend users and test prototypes for meaningful solutions. At Manhattanville University, these principles are accessible to all majors and can be further explored by earning a Certificate in Design Thinking.
About the Center
Dive into innovation in the fully-equipped Fabrication Lab (FabLab) and three floors of state-of-the-art classrooms, designed to encourage collaboration. The open design thinking spaces feature large worktables, whiteboards, and computers loaded with design software.
In the FabLab, create prototypes that were ideated following design thinking methodologies to solve problems in any professional or personal setting where you want to see change.
Explore the Fabrication Lab and the Center for Design Thinking in-house tech.
Both undergraduate and graduate students at Manhattanville can access the academic offerings of the Center for Design Thinking, from visiting speakers to workshops to credit-bearing courses.
Undergraduate design thinking courses are held as electives and may contribute to the Design Thinking Certificate program requirements.
Complete an internship and earn a distinctive credential that can elevate your liberal arts education or enhance your resume in any field.
Meet the Design Thinkers
Alison Carson, PhD
"More industries — from tech services to retail chains are gravitating toward Design Thinking because it provides clearer insight into the needs of their customers. Manhattanville University is proud to be preparing our students for this revolution in thinking which will impact all industries in the future, as well as the future of education."
Justin Capalbo
At the Fab Lab Professor Capalbo uses project-based learning to foster a community of makers and develop the technical skills to bring students' ideas to fruition. In his Introduction to Making course, students explore 3D modeling, design, and aesthetics through simulated clients and real-world problem-solving.
The Sara Little Turnbull Endowed Scholarship in Design
Student and Faculty Testimonials
Gerald Ardito, DPS, Associate Professor of Science and Computer Science Education
Inger Stapleton, Adjunct Professor of Business Management
Design Thinking in First-Year Curriculum
"How migh we make students feel included at Manhattanville?"
The programs and initiatives of the Center for Design Thinking are made possible, in part, by the Class of 1967 President’s Endowed Fund for Excellence.
Contact Us
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Center for Design Thinking
alison.carson@mville.edu914.323.2769
