A group of six Master of Innovation Design students at Wichita State University participated in an innovation challenge issued by Johnson & Johnson Innovation Co.

The team is made up of group members; James Balman, Jared Goering, Max Hinman, Maggie Koops, Kristyn Smith and Spencer Steinert.

The project began in a Design Thinking class offered in fall 2017. The competition carried over into the spring semester and class members were given the opportunity to continue with the challenge outside of class. The group of six students, led by Smith, were eager to volunteer.

The group worked to improve a facemask that uses red and blue light as an acne therapy. The challenge urged the group not only to work on the design, but to also look at the functionality of the product. The group believes their changes to the product make it more useful and customer friendly.

“We made the mask into more than just an acne treatment,” said Koops. “We wanted it to be a way for consumers to reduce stress as well, and now they can use an app on their phone to track their progress.”

The group presented their improved facemask in a preliminary round of judging in March and gave their final pitch to Johnson & Johnson Innovation Co. on May 30 in New Orleans.

“At the end of our presentation, one of the J&J executives said we just delivered one of the best product pitches he has seen in the last 25 years,” said Smith.

The group won the competition and were offered internship opportunities in the future with Johnson & Johnson as well as a $10,000 prize.

To learn more about Wichita State’s Master of Innovation Design program visit https://wsu.news/mid.