Support the Design Innovation (DI) Initiative

John and Fonda Elliot, supporters of DI, with DI staff and Fellows

Support the Design Innovation (DI) Initiative

A Letter From Our Executive Director

Dear Friends,

As the inaugural executive director of the Design Innovation (DI) Initiative at 5X��, I look forward to growing and building connections with you to engage our students in "challenge-based innovation" experiences on their paths to becoming fearless and powerful collaborators! 

DI brings together students, faculty, community and leading experts from ANY discipline who are thoughtfully addressing technology and society through design. Students then become creative, intersectional problem-solvers and fearless collaborators in the face of complex, messy problems. We strive to be innovators, activators and cultivators who evolve strong, collaborative design innovation mindsets in students, researchers and communities across the world.

I am humbled and honored to be helping to lead this foundational, timely and culture-changing initiative at Kent State. The new Design Innovation Hub is located in the center of campus in the former Art Building and helps us both ground and leverage the offerings of our entire Design Innovation Ecosystem. The building functions as an open and collaborative makerspace for the Kent State community that links our great network of existing shared-resource labs and makerspaces across the university, which we call the "DI Nodes." Like this collaborative initiative, this building too is “Shared by All. Owned by All.”

Please know that philanthropic support will be the cornerstone for which we can train more students, solve more problems and put our unique Kent State stamp into our communities. Please contact me with any ideas or questions.

��, 

J.R. Campbell
Executive Director
Design Innovation Initiative

Empower Innovation at 5X��

Join us in empowering 5X�� students to tackle real-world challenges by supporting the Design Innovation (DI) Hub! Your contributions, whether funding, materials, or expertise, will have a transformative impact on our students and their journeys toward shaping a brighter future. Your partnership not only helps unlock students' potential, but also aligns your organization with Kent State’s premier center for collaborative experiential learning and innovation. Explore ways to make a difference below:

Initiative Priorities

DI Hub Priorities

Ways to Give

Update Your Information

The Design Innovation Initiative is focusing on the following key priorities to continue to provide an environment for our students to become innovators, activators, and cultivators who evolve strong, collaborative design innovation mindsets:

- What It Supports: Funds student participation in dynamic, hands-on experiences focused on creative problem-solving and real-world challenges. This could include courses, design challenges, workshops, hackathons, or other events which serve to hone students’ creative and critical thinking skills. Funds may be used to support student travel, materials, machine use and other needs in pursuit of their challenge objectives.
- Impact: Donations support student involvement on interdisciplinary teams to address real and impactful challenge-based innovation projects. By funding these programs, you help students apply classroom learning to solve real-world problems, fostering teamwork, resilience, and innovative mindsets.
- Your Benefit: Gain access to event results, position your brand as an innovation leader, enjoy recognition on promotional materials and event signage, and gain fresh perspectives on challenges facing your industry.
- What It Supports: Brings real-world challenges facing your industry directly to DI students, inviting them to ideate and develop potential solutions in a structured, collaborative workshop or course setting.
- Impact: Your industry challenge gives students an authentic glimpse into problem-solving within your sector while generating fresh ideas and perspectives.
- Your Benefit: Access innovative solutions, potential recruitment prospects, and the chance to work alongside students passionate about your field.
- What It Supports: Establish awards or scholarships for students who demonstrate exceptional skill, innovation, or impact in their work.
- Impact: These awards recognize and motivate students, helping them further pursue innovative projects and opportunities.
- Your Benefit: Be acknowledged as a champion of education and innovation, with your contribution fostering the growth of promising talent in your field.

The DI HUB provides spaces, services, and resources that encourage students to take on new projects and cross-disciplinary collaborations.

- What It Supports: Provides essential supplies, from tools and equipment to 3D printing materials and electronics, supporting student projects and creating a hands-on educational environment.
- Impact: By equipping our students with industry-standard tools and supplies, you will help build their technical skills, creativity, and confidence while better preparing them for real-world innovation.
- Your Benefit: Your donation supports the next generation of problem-solvers while offering tax benefits and corporate goodwill.
- What It Supports: Contributes toward the creation and maintenance of dynamic DI Hub spaces, such as collaborative workspaces, shops, labs, and our Reactor makerspace.
- Impact: A named space leaves a lasting legacy and ensured that future students, faculty, and community members recognize your commitment to fostering innovation and education.
- Your Benefit: A named space reinforces your values and boosts brand visibility among Kent State’s next generation of industry leaders.
- What It Supports: Directs funding towards special DI Hub programs, outreach efforts, or pilot initiatives that advance interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
- Impact: Your support makes it possible to launch impactful programs that meet emerging student and industry needs, expanding the DI Hub’s mission.
- Your Benefit: Gain early recognition as a founding supporter of cutting-edge initiatives that shape the direction of design and innovation at Kent State.
Space-Specific Donations
-  - This lab is a ”black box”' makerspace-style environment for immersive (AR/VR/Mixed Reality) applications. Funds will be used to purchase additional projectors and equipment.
-  - This is an experimental environment for museum and exhibition innovations, co-managed by DI and the I-School. Funds will be used to support recurring exhibition costs for students, faculty and staff.
-  - This is a collaborative 'accelerator' program co-managed by DI and LaunchNet. Funds will be used for mentorship and to support accelerating projects from challenge-based events and hackathons.
In-Kind Donations of Materials, Equipment, or Expertise
- What It Supports: Offers critical resources that support hands-on learning, including specialty materials, cutting-edge equipment, or expert-led workshops.
- Impact: These in-kind contributions allow students to work with new and advanced technologies and methodologies, enriching their learning experience.
- Your Benefit: Position your company as a leader in technology and skill development while expanding your network within the university community.

Select any of the links below to learn more about the most common options for giving to 5X��:

5X��