INNOVATIONSFABRIK – Product Thinking
A new innovation transfer initiative
The intention of the INNOVATIONSFABRIK is to establish so-called “product thinking” in research, education and transfer. The combination of basic research results and industrial design is the major intention of the INNOVATIONSFABRIK in order to further develop UDE inventions. Multi-disciplinary cooperation and the stimulation of creativity are the driving force of the INNOVATIONSFABRIK. We are pursuing a new strategy to push the innovation transfer from the university to businesses in the region and beyond. Industrial Designers as innovation scouts are constantly looking for research results within the University Duisburg-Essen to create new product ideas. Hence designers work closely with scientists and marketeers to identify future perspectives and fulfill market requirements. The Folkwang Hochschule in Essen as a renowned art college is our partner for Industrial Design.
In addition, the so-called ZukunftsWerkstätten (future workshops) are going to build interdisciplinary relationships across disciplines and will promote product thinking. Transdisciplinary student teams work project-orientated in ZukunftsWerkstätten. Visiting lecturers (Designers) teach the students with focus on putting the intentions into industrial practice. Students from all areas of the university - engineering, sciences, medicine, business and the humanities – cooperate with design students of the Folkwang Hochschule and take part in the ZukunftsWerkstätten. Students can get European Credit Points for their participation. The ZukunftsWerkstätten will also be the impetus to new initiatives and projects.
The INNOVATIONSFABRIK is part of a project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (EXIST) and the European Social Fund (ESF)
