Your company lacks the time and resources to develop product and service solutions for living well across the lifespan.
Your team is too close to the problem, causing them to lose their creative edge.
Your organization owns all intellectual property developed during the course of a studio project.
Your team has a short project timeline and needs fast product and service conceptualization.
University of Cincinnati students are vital to the Live Well Collaborative's success. The Live Well has worked with over a thousand students, each coming from different disciplines and providing different insights. This leads to unique professional experiences that help students further develop their skills.
“As a graduate assistant at Live Well over the whole duration of my master’s program, I’ve had an opportunity to gain design research experience working on truly impactful projects. Working in multidisciplinary teams has shaped my views and knowledge on collaboration, problem-solving, and the importance of diverse perspectives in the design process. I’ve developed strong skills in user research and data analysis, all while contributing to initiatives that promote well-being and positive change.”
“Learning about design research before it was even covered in class gave me a strong foundation and confidence in these techniques when I returned to the classroom. My time at Live Well has shaped me as a designer, and I’m grateful for the chance to keep coming back and learning more. I highly recommend co-oping at Live Well, it’s a great way to experience the interdisciplinary model and hands-on design thinking methods!”
"As a Computer Science Co-op, it’s been exciting to bring my technical perspective to a team with diverse backgrounds. I’ve had the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that align with my interests while gaining valuable hands-on experience. The supportive environment has helped me grow, collaborate, and build strong connections. I’m truly grateful to Live Well for trusting me with impactful projects, and I look forward to a semester of learning and success."
“Being an Industrial Design Co-op at the Live Well Collaborative has been an incredibly meaningful experience. The opportunity to refine my design research skills while collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of talented professionals has been both inspiring and rewarding. What makes this experience truly special is the meaningful impact our projects have on the community, allowing me to contribute to positive societal change—something I am deeply passionate about.”
The framework of the Live Well is a new hybrid that integrates traditional project teams under a studio model, with the structure and titles more commonly found in research labs in engineering and the sciences. This model is part of the new framework that represents the processes evolving in corporations in research and development (R&D), as well as levels 3 and 4 of translational research. Both R&D and translational research models are attempting to integrate design thinking to increase scope and decrease cycle time from concept to solution.
Fellowship cycles run on academic calendars. Applications are ongoing.
“Working at Live Well Collaborative has strengthened my critical thinking and given me a more holistic approach to problem-solving. The emphasis on user research means we’re always engaging directly with clients, consumers, and employees to understand their real needs. Hearing their perspectives keeps our work grounded and impactful. It’s been a rewarding experience—not just in growing as a designer, but in knowing our work genuinely makes a difference.“
"I was first drawn to Live Well because I wanted to find a path in design that would reach real people and solve problems, and that’s one of the many reasons I’ve stayed here as a research fellow. Working with Cincinnati Children’s has taught me how complex healthcare situations can be improved through design and research, and I have learned so much about how people think and interact with each other and with their environments. It’s so rewarding to know that I can do something I’m passionate about that also makes people’s lives better."
2728 Short Vine St., Suite 201
Cincinnati, OH 45219
+1 513.558.7348
contactus@livewellcollaborative.org