ADAAPT: Growing Student Ideas
Steven Doehler, an industrial design professor at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), says he prioritizes the entrepreneurial aspect of a student's design product – which led him to create HomeGrown Studio.
Homegrown students working together on a product. Photo credit Steve Doehler.
"I thought it was a shame that once somebody graduated, those ideas went into a portfolio, that would only be seen every five years when they were looking for a new job,” says Doehler.
HomeGrown Studio is a creative entrepreneurial initiative bringing together students from each design program to combine ideas that will evolve into a product, leveraging their different strengths and skills.
"My favorite part of HomeGrown Studio is watching the connection of the teams grow stronger week by week,” says Doehler.
Students create a variety of items ranging from lighting fixtures and tea sets, to window planters and fabric bags. They learn how to work in a team environment by designing a product that can be used daily. Each team member has their area of expertise, whether it’s creating a brand for the product, designing patterns, sanding and filing, along with many other skills.
In addition, they research how to price competitively, increase capacity, and how to market their product.
Being able to work with students in different design majors was so beneficial to our communication, ideation, and design skills.
Ally Widzinski DAAP industrial design alumnus
"I highlighted the project in my portfolio, and employers always asked about it because of how much it stood out. Booking a permanent place for this showcase is huge and just shows the impact it makes on the students, faculty, and shoppers that come every fall," says alumnus Ally Widzinski.
Being able to work with students in different design majors, she says, "was so beneficial to our communication, ideation, and design skills."
Doehler says his goal for HomeGrown studio is to inspire students to start their own companies and expand their ideas into a developed product.
Later he realized that some students may not be as inclined to launch their own business. Doehler began to promote a new way for the student idea to continue to prosper: "A student might not want to pursue the path of starting their own business, but there is no reason that the product idea can't move forward."
The exterior of the new ADAAPT building near Findley Market. Photo by An Le.
Following the success of HomeGrown Studio, Doehler developed ADAAPT, which opened on Dec. 7, 2024.
Through the HomeGrown studio program, professional connections were established with various businesses, including the Model Group – a community-focused business committed to transforming empty spaces into lively areas in Cincinnati. Doehler was offered a vacant space provided by the Model Group to sell products.
Doehler also created a partnership with 1819, helping DAAP to secure the space, bringing ADAAPT to the Finley Market area on Elder Street.
1819 is an innovation hub committed to assisting students to develop their ideas on a larger scale, setting them on the path to start their own business or further their original concepts.
Anyone at DAAP is welcome to sell their products at ADAAPT including UC alumnae, plus students from any college within the university.
With ADAAPT, students can also receive consumer feedback, helping them assess the success of their product and refine areas that need improvement.
Students also invest personal funds into developing and advertising their product, creating a stronger drive to sell and elevate their products' quality.
Doehler says he hopes that all UC students will be encouraged to participate to share ideas and foster more collaboration between programs.
Feature photo at top by An Le, student intern at DAAP.
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