Our Collaboration Process

Whether you are a student, faculty member, researcher or industry partner, our project intake process ensures that we understand your goals, requirements, and timeline so we can provide the best possible support.

Before you begin, please review our student, faculty and industry/community pathways.

Getting Started

Step 1: Submit the Start a Project form 

  • Information needed includes name, organization, project name, description, goals, deliverables, CAD/design assistance needed, requirements, files, deadlines and budget.
Start a Project Form

Step 2: Initial Staff Review and Design Needs Assessment

  • Staff reviews the project and may schedule a consultation if necessary. 
  • Information considered includes:
    • project scope and feasibility.
    • material and equipment needs.
    • file readiness.
    • design assistance needs.
    • freelance network recommendations (if needed.)
    • timeline.

Design and Planning

Step 3: Design Support (if needed)

  • Freelance designers can assist with:
    • CAD modeling, cleanup and visualization.
    • engineering-minded refinement.
    • prep for CNC/laser/3D printing.
  • Important: Design Work Is independent of the Innovation Studio.
    • Freelance designers operate as independent contractors.
    • Users, researchers, and companies are responsible for contacting the designer, defining the scope of work, and arranging payment directly with the freelancer.
    • The Innovation Studio does not negotiate pricing, manage contracts, manage projects, handle billing or payment for design services. 
  • Once design work is complete, the user provides the final fabrication-ready files to the Innovation Studio.

Step 4: Project Plan and Next Steps

  • Once design work is complete, the Innovation Studio finalizes:
    • the scope of work.
    • deliverables and materials list.
    • required equipment or services.
    • tentative completion timeline.
    • cost estimate.
    • safety or training requirements.
    • roles and expectations for both client and Innovation Studio team. 

Production and Completion 

Step 5: Fabrication, Development or Support

  • Once the plan is approved, the Innovation Studio team will:
    • complete the fabrication or printing.
    • provide support for user-led work. 
    • build iterative prototypes.
    • communicate adjustments needed to material, design or timeline changes. 

Step 6: Project Completion

  • Upon completion, the Innovation Studio will:
    • collect payment for services.
    • review final deliverables with the client.
    • arrange pickup of project.

Follow-up and Future Collaboration

  • We welcome feedback and encourage clients to return for future projects.
  • For ongoing or repeat projects, future requests can be streamlined based on needs.
  • Many users continue to work with the Innovation Studio on new prototypes, iterative improvements, or expanded research and development.