What is Design Science?

What is Design Science?

Design Science is the interdisciplinary study of how we design and create artifacts—products, systems, services, and experiences—with the goal of addressing real-world problems while accounting for social, economic, and environmental impact. It connects traditionally qualitative fields like industrial design and anthropology with quantitative disciplines like engineering and business, using a shared, rigorous approach to innovation.

At the University of Michigan, the Design Science program equips students to integrate human and societal concerns into technical design processes. Through collaboration across disciplines, students develop and apply new design tools and methods, while emphasizing design not only for performance and profit, but also for long-term well-being and reduced unintended consequences.

By fostering new capabilities in engineering, business, and design thinking, Design Science empowers students to create solutions that are both locally relevant and globally informed—pushing the boundaries of what design can achieve in today’s complex world.