“In order to find something new you have to, in a way, become innocent.”
innovation Pr at t Fac ul t y Disc us s T he R ol e Of In no vat ion In Ar t An d Desig n The world has changed dramatically in recent years, with technology creating a true global marketplace. Today’s leaders are those who realize they must innovate, and they have turned to design thinking to realize their goals. Pratt Institute’s practical approach to creativity fosters the exploration of ideas required for true innovation. Collaborations among Pratt designers have led to medical advances that impact people across the globe. They have led to new methods of sustainable building and energy delivery, and resulted in more equitable communities and the most cutting-edge information systems. In this Innovation issue, Prattfolio magazine introduces alumni, faculty, and students who are innovators in their fields, taking their Pratt design thinking to create transformative new products, or effect real change in their communities and the world. To set the stage, the magazine’s editorial team assembled four of Pratt’s leading art and design experts to discuss their definitions of innovation and explore the importance of design-thinking and collaboration to innovation. The panel was moderated by Provost Peter Barna. The participants were Steve Diskin, chair of the Department of Industrial Design; William Mac Donald, chair of the Department of Graduate Architecture and Urban Design; and Mary McBride, chair of the Design Management program. 1 0 p rat tf o lio