Design For Social Impact (DSI)
What is it?
The world's problems are complex, daunting and ever changing. We can rise to meet them head on, but only if we first learn to be as dynamic as the world around us, collaborating across disciplines and competencies and ready to understand the far-reaching implications, intended and otherwise, of even the most inspired and well-meaning plans. Design for Social Impact is an interdisciplinary program for open-minded, inquisitive students who desire to develop the design skills and practices they will need to serve society as collaborative thinkers, informed doers and accountable leaders.
Our Mission
We facilitate a transformational educational experience for open-minded, inquisitive students from any major who aspire to deliver powerful answers to society's most daunting challenges. We prepare our graduates to be accountable leaders and innovators through curricula that are flexible, project-oriented, and multidisciplinary throughout. DSI project experiences bring students together to design solutions of real value for real clients at OSU and in our local and Oregon communities (and beyond), for not-for-profits including the arts, and with industry partners. As a faculty, we work together to explore and drive innovation in design education and research that is centered on the needs of our key stakeholders and society at large.
Is DSI for me?
Are you enthusiastic about design and entrepreneurship? Motivated by making? Impatient to work for change that promotes positive social impact? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then DSI is for you!
Enthusiastic Entrepreneurs
Are you passionate about starting something new using design thinking and tools? Do you have a business idea or an entrepreneurial vision for something that could improve people's lives? DSI needs Enthusiastic Entrepreneurs who want to learn and apply design ideas to society's daunting challenges.
Explorers
Are you wanting to figure out how to apply your interests and passions to something meaningful? Are you intrigued by design but not sure if it's for you? DSI needs Explorers who want to try new things as part of an interdisciplinary team working to solve real world challenges.
Motivated Makers
Do you thrive on new opportunities to tinker, make, and prototype? Do you want access to spaces and people who can help provide direction to your love of making? DSI needs Motivated Makers to bring these skills to project teams seeking solutions to today's challenges.
Impatient Change Agent
Challenges are all around us. Are you driven to help make a difference NOW, while you're still in school? DSI needs Impatient Change Agents with the desire to work on multidisciplinary teams with like-minded people committed to a better world.
How do I get Involved?
Design for Social Impact (DSI) certificate
The Design for Social Impact (DSI) certificate is an interdisciplinary program for open-minded, inquisitive students who desire to develop the design skills and practices they will need to serve society as collaborative thinkers, informed doers, and accountable leaders. This certificate is intended to be of interest and open to all undergraduate students from any major at OSU and available to students on campus or delivered online through OSU Ecampus. Students can declare into the certificate through their major advisor. If you have any other questions you can contact our DSI program director [email protected].
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- Apply sound design principles across disciplinary definitions and perspectives to translate knowledge into action for the greater good.
- Use design thinking to make informed assessments of alternative solutions to complex problems.
- Build and lead inclusive and collaborate teams that incorporate multidisciplinary perspectives, provide accountable leadership and build effective solutions utilizing a variety of skills and approaches.
- Integrate social justice and responsibility perspectives in the design of solutions that will positively impact society.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills in developing, evaluating and presenting innovative solutions that engage with diverse audiences.
The DSI certificate curriculum is flexible to fit well with most OSU majors. Many classes also fulfill the Baccalaureate core curriculum requirements. For a full list course requirements please refer to the OSU course catalog.
Link to Catalog DSI certificate page: https://catalog.oregonstate.edu/college-departments/honors/design-social-impact-certificate/#requirementstext