DesignX activates the power of design for transformational change, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Grounded in experiential learning, exploration, and the joy of making, we empower changemakers aspiring to shape the future with their forward-thinking solutions driving positive impact across industries, society, and our planet.
Limited to currently enrolled students
6 credits
This course explores the difference between
innovation, social innovation, and systems
change for social impact. Students interest-
ed in navigating complex environmental and
social problems will explore frameworks and
case studies from real systems change.
Fall 2026
6 credits
The course is designed to inspire new ideas and thinkers and maker to act. Students identify problems and opportunities to improve the built environment. The focus is on ideation and framing of problems in order to understand the needs and scope of the innovation opportunity.
Fall 2026.
6 credits
In this two-week bootcamp course, teams of
students selected for the DesignX Accelerator,
student teams stress-test their assumptions
through user engagement, data collection, and
observation. They analyze findings and use
venture design to develop and test innovative
solutions.
IAP 2027. Open to students accepted to the DesignX Accelerator.
12 credits
Following the bootcamp, teams continue to
design and test solutions through an iterative
process based on experimentation and proto-
typing. They develop solutions, envision busi-
ness models, clear roadmaps, and deployment
strategies to launch them
Spring 2027. Open to students accepted to the DesignX accelerator.
6 credits
This course combines the critical lens of art with the innovation framework of DesignX, fostering reflection before design interve-ntions. A collaboration between ACT and the Morningside Academy of Design, it invites students to create and present visual repre-sentations of their chosen social impact focus.
Spring 2027
6 credits
This half-semester course helps students in the arts, cultural, and creative fields build sustainable practices that leverage innovation and contribute to the future of the cultural and creative sectors. Through fundamental tools and strategies, students learn how to design their own professional path.
Not offered this term.
12 credits
This course is designed for students who aspire to shape the future of mobility. The course explores frameworks for transportation innovation across autonomous vehicles, urban air mobility, and last-mile robots. Working in interdisciplinary teams and learning from industry and government leaders, students develop a mobility-focused business venture concept.
This course is offered by the MIT Mobility Initiative and co-taught by DesignX.
Fall 2026.
6 credits
This course challenges students to apply AI capabilities to urgent real-world challenges such as climate change and urbanization. It requires in-depth applications of computer science and design to develop impactful technology solutions by focusing on problem–solution fit and early-stage design ideation.
Not offered this term.
Online
9-weeks
Designing Scalable Solutions: Driving High-Impact Innovation: Enhance your decision-making, project management, and leadership capabilities by acquiring the tools and knowledge you need to identify, understand, frame, scale, and prioritize solutions to your most pressing challenges. In this actionable 9-week online course, you’ll learn how to facilitate and lead highly effective, image results for transdisciplinary problem-solving teams and determine the best ways to acquire critical context for developing human-centered products, ventures, and services.
MIT Professional Education
Certificate
MIT designX works with companies and organizations to strengthen corporate innovation and strategic foresight. Through a range of online blended programs tailored to the needs of today’s businesses, we support the continuous development of professionals equipped to lead in an ever-changing landscape.
Leadership
Workshop
Through tailored workshops, we help leadership teams apply design-driven thinking to their most critical strategic challenges, from near-term problem solving to long-term vision setting. To learn more about how we can support your organization, please get in touch.
