Product design is the best class at BSM. If you are interested in being an entrepreneur or being in marketing, this class is for you. It has enhanced my creativity and makes me think about multiple solutions to a problem. I have always had dreams of owning my own business, and this class has opened my eyes to the possibilities of products I could sell.
I know there are classes like Sports Marketing, Journalism, and Film Studies, but Product Design is next level. You learn about the design thinking process and how to create ideas into final prototypes. You receive a prompt or idea, like “create a product to resolve something that bugs you, to fix a safety need, or to do something for others.” This gives students away to brainstorm ideas related to the different prompts they receive throughout the semester.
A similar comparison to the class is the show Shark Tank. In Shark Tank, businesses pitch their idea to the investors known as the “sharks” to convince them to invest in their product. Similarly, in Product Design, once you come up with your final prototype/product, you will pitch your idea to the class and members of the BSM community. This class will challenge you to think outside of the box, learn time management, and piece together recycled materials to create first prototypes. It is trial and error and you learn how to make adjustments and better your product.
If you like to work at your own pace, this is another reason to take Product Design at BSM. Most classes are work time and you work at your own pace, but are graded on meeting deadlines. It is very rewarding when you present, because you see the hard work you put in the past couple of weeks and get to show off your finished product. In the past, people have made physical products, apps, or pitched ideas drawn out step by step if they can’t physically show their design.
Currently, we are working on product pitch number three and we are asked to come up with something related to the word kindness and benefit someone other than yourself. We will go through the design thinking process that includes empathy, define, ideate, prototype, and test to create the best product possible. The end goal is to try to create a product that can be put to actual use and possibly create a final prototype and get funding to make the business come to life.
Even if you don’t think you are a creative person, this class will help you find your inner creativity. Ms. Rahn does a great job at helping students think strategically to ideate ideas that you can prototype. It’s also a great class because it is student focused and there are only nine people in the class, so there’s a lot of time to ask questions. If you join Product Design at BSM, it could be your first step in your entrepreneurial journey.