Students at Xavier University’s Center for Innovation (CFI) were tasked with building a prosthetic leg for a disabled service dog. They had access to one of the largest 3D printing centers at any private institution in the U.S., but lacked the skills and knowledge to get their canine friend walking. They needed an effective problem-solving methodology that would support in-depth research into animal prosthetics alongside creative ideation.
The faculty director delivered ExperienceInnovation™ Learn to his students, which provided them with a robust foundation in design thinking. Students learned to let go of their assumptions and focus on the dog’s needs through keen observation. Combined with in-depth research into prosthetics, they quickly figured out a prototype of what to build. The ideation and iteration process moved quickly, but the printing took hours, leading the students to reassess their plan and use a modified found object in the final prosthetic design.
An effective prosthetic was created in just six weeks. The students left the project with a firm foundation in design thinking, having acquired the skills and mindsets to tackle a future real-world problem. As for the dog, she left on all four paws, ready to assist a person in need.
