For Students
Whether you're bound for corporate life, public service, or entrepreneurship, our weekly meetings, workshops, and experiential learning opportunities build creative confidence through design thinking frameworks.
View Offerings →For Careers
We work with the Yale SOM Career Development Office and our alumni network — spanning firms like IDEO, Google, Apple, and Amazon — to provide exposure to design and innovation roles across many fields.
Career Resources →Who We Are
A cross-sector club for all SOM students
The Design + Innovation Club was founded by students in 2011 and has grown every year since, consistently ranking among the largest student groups at Yale SOM. Our mission is to inspire and equip members with design and innovation principles they will use meaningfully throughout their lives and careers.
- Process Design, Product Design & People Design
- Weekly instruction in design thinking frameworks
- Speakers, career treks, and small projects
- Access to D+I education across the Yale community
The Design + Innovation Club at the Yale School of Management brings together a diverse community of thinkers and doers from across the school. Our members include designers, engineers, artists, consultants, entrepreneurs, and leaders who share a common curiosity about how creative problem-solving can reshape the way organizations operate. By fostering an environment where varied viewpoints intersect, the club creates fertile ground for unexpected ideas and meaningful collaboration that transcends traditional business school boundaries.
At the heart of the club’s philosophy is design thinking, a human-centered approach that equips students with practical frameworks for tackling complex challenges. Through structured ideation, rapid prototyping, and iterative experimentation, members learn to move from abstract questions to actionable, tested solutions. These universally applicable skills give students a distinct advantage regardless of the industry or function they pursue after graduation, building creative confidence that lasts throughout their careers.
The club’s programming spans three interconnected design pillars that guide everything from weekly meetings to hands-on workshops. Each session is crafted to blend professional development with real-world application, giving students space to practice facilitation methods, team dynamics, and organizational strategies in a supportive setting. Whether exploring corporate innovation, public service challenges, or entrepreneurial ventures, the curriculum reflects the cross-sector nature of modern business and the need for adaptable, creative leadership.
Collaboration with the Yale SOM Career Development Office and a strong alumni network ensures that club members gain exposure to career paths where design and innovation thrive. From internship opportunities to networking events with practitioners in the field, students can explore how design thinking is applied across industries. These connections help bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, opening doors to roles where creative problem-solving is not just valued but essential.
Beyond structured learning, the Design + Innovation Club regularly hosts social gatherings that strengthen the bonds formed through shared creative work. These informal moments allow members to connect as peers, exchange ideas in relaxed settings, and build the kind of trusting relationships that fuel effective collaboration. The result is a vibrant, fun, and intellectually stimulating community where students support one another in developing the skills and mindset needed to lead with imagination and purpose.
What We Offer
Curriculum & Community
From beginner workshops to advanced practitioner sessions, our programming spans regular club meetings, experiential learning, and cross-degree collaboration across Yale. Stay connected through our newsletters and community events.