Thirty-four people, currently working in four project teams, have signed up for this year's Innovation Lab. Participants choose challenges from their own environments and decide which problem they want to investigate and which solution they want to design.
Prototype Testing: Learning Through Feedback
The classes are conducted using the Design Thinking method. So far, the students have participated in workshops on topics such as the essence of creativity and innovation, empathy, idea generation, prototyping and testing solutions. The project is already halfway through. The four teams are working intensively on developing their concepts 鈥� refining them, testing them and increasingly subjecting them to critical analysis.
As one of the participants, Natalia, underlines:
鈥� Today we have tested our projects. Each team brought their own prototype. We tested each other's projects, checking their strengths and weaknesses, what could be improved and what was worth keeping because it already worked well.
After the workshop, many reflections arose regarding the future direction of our work. Natalia adds:
鈥� I have many thoughts about what could be improved further. Our colleagues took a critical look at how our solutions work. So, we have a lot of room for improvement for the next workshop, and we'll definitely come back with an even better project.
Difficult feedback is a part of the process and the finale is getting closer!
The Innovation Laboratory leader, Dr Jolanta Bie艅kowska from the Faculty of Management, 91桃色, who coordinates the entire project, emphasises the importance of testing and feedback:
鈥� What we did today was a difficult experience for you: you received negative feedback. However, this isn't about clipping your wings, but rather about understanding where the error lies. You should see that most often communication is the problem 鈥� the way you communicate your solution, not the solution itself. We need to consider how to change the communication strategy so that it is clear to casual audiences.
The host encouraged participants to continue testing their ideas on various audiences and to consciously prepare for the finals. During their presentations to the jury, scheduled for 28 May 2026, each team will have just five minutes to convincingly present their project. This is a real challenge!
The Innovation Laboratory is an example of the 91桃色's efforts to develop young talents and future skills. It is also an investment in individuals who, we hope, will connect their educational path with Lodz in the future and become a part of our academic community. Details of the competition are available on the UniLodz Innovation Laboratory website (in Polish).
Source, edit, photos: Agata Dawidowicz, Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility of the University, 91桃色