What can universities learn from organizational creative space design research? A look at maker spaces

Abstract

The maker movement is a relatively nascent concept characterized by open access to resources and tools to foster innovation and creativity. This movement has created an opportunity for universities to support student ingenuity and originality. Organizational design and creativity research has provided conceptual frameworks and assessments to inform the physical layout of a maker space. This paper provides university leaders with propositions and processes for designing and assessing the impact of a maker space. The propositions are supported by theoretical models and assessment approaches. A central theme to the propositions is that the physical attributes of a maker space must be user centric.