We have all had frustrating interactions with products whose design fails to deliver an elegant user experience.

Maybe it was a shampoo bottle that wouldn’t stop falling over. Or perhaps it was a door that looked like a pull but was actually a push.

From an entrepreneurial mindset, these sorts of real-world design flaws represent meaningful opportunities.

Inside E-Commerce and Industrial Design 12

E-Commerce and Industrial Design 12 is an exciting class that challenges students to strengthen their critical analysis and problem-solving skills by tackling real-world design issues.

Students select their challenge from a variety of scenarios, then spend the term working their way through the complete design process.

For example, one scenario examined the design of traditional right-side-orientated lecture theatre desks from the perspective of left-handed individuals. Students were tasked with designing a solution that works equally well for both left and right-handed individuals.

The Design Thinking Journey

Following the design thinking process, students begin with market research to ensure a thorough understanding of the challenge users are experiencing.

Next, they succinctly define their challenge and ideate different approaches to solve the problem. They then build prototypes to test the real-world application of their solution using tools such as 3D modelling, Procreate and AR/VR mockups.

The project concludes with a proposal presentation, or “pitch deck,” where students provide details of their analysis and rationale for their recommended solution.

Innovation in Action

A significant benefit of working in the new STEEM Centre and collaborative studio spaces is that students don’t just learn about innovation — they experience it firsthand. They pitch ideas, collaborate across disciplines and build professional portfolios.

By the end of the course, students walk away not only with real-world entrepreneurial skills but also with the confidence and insight to see themselves as creators, innovators and change-makers.

“This course gives students real, transferable skills that go far beyond the classroom. They learn how to identify problems, design thoughtful solutions and bring those ideas to life through product development, branding and digital business tools. But more importantly, students learn how to think like creators, not just consumers, with the confidence to lead, the tools to innovate and the mindset to adapt in a rapidly changing world.”

– Sally Karimi, Morven Visual Arts Teacher