Press Release: Pittsburgh PDMA to Host Regional Premiere of Critically Acclaimed Documentary “Design & Thinking” at New Hazlett Theater on Jan. 29th

Movie event includes a panel discussion following the film and marks the first of more than seven PDMA educational events slated for 2014  

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – January 22, 2014 – The Pittsburgh Chapter of the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) will host the regional premiere of critically acclaimed documentary “Design & Thinking” on January 29^th at the New Hazlett Theater. Following the screening, an expert panel of local product developers and designers will provide individual perspectives on the connection between design and new product innovation.

PDMA is dedicated to sharing knowledge and best practices through professional development, education, collaboration, and networking opportunities.  This event will bring together product development professionals, practitioners, academics, service providers, and students to explore the idea of “design thinking” and share experiences.

The “Design & Thinking” reveals design principles through the eyes of businessmen, designers, social change-makers and individuals.  The film examines what design thinking is, how it is applied in business models, and how people are changing the world with their creative minds.

Doors will open at 4:00 pm for networking.  The movie will begin at 5:00 pm.  The panel discussion following the screening will include:  Colburn Jones, Manager of Product Design, Marketing and Product Management at Aesynt; Dino Mariano, Design Director and Senior Industrial Designer at Bally Design; and Eric Anderson, Carnegie Mellon University Associate Professor of Industrial Design, Co-director of the Integrated Innovation Institute, Co-director of the Master of Integrated Innovation for Products and Services (formerly Master of Product Development), Program Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), Member of the IDSA Academy of Fellows.  They will engage the audience in thought-provoking conversation design failures, the future of design, and the changing design requirements of business, culture and society.

Throughout the year, PDMA Pittsburgh sponsors educational and social events where individuals can develop new skills, learn best practices, and network with peers.  More than 10 events are scheduled for 2014.  Future topics include open innovation, the use of startup accelerators, branding for changing times, and using Big Data to address customer needs. Product development and design companies are encouraged to participate in PDMA events throughout the year.   This results in professional growth for individuals, an innovation-related competitive advantage for their enterprises, and the continued economic growth of the Western Pennsylvania Region.

To learn more about the “Design & Thinking” movie event and other upcoming Pittsburgh Chapter events, log onto www.pdma.org.

About PDMA Pittsburgh

The Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) is a professional association dedicated to improving the effectiveness of individuals and organizations involved with product development, product management, and innovation.  The association’s mission is to improve the effectiveness of individuals and organizations in product development and management by providing resources for professional development, information, collaboration and promotion of new product development and management.  The Pittsburgh Chapter is dedicated to the continued to growth of a strong network of local product developers and managers while providing leadership to the next generation.

                                                                                      

Media contact:    

Andi Durkota

412-855-8687

pghpdma@pdma.org

 Download the Press Release: http://www.slideshare.net/PDMApittsburgh/pdma-pgh-news-release-final3-012214

A Message from the PDMA Chapter President - Randy Rossi, Bally Design

It was another great year for our Chapter! I'd like to extend a sincere thank you to PDMA members, students, guests and sponsors for your support throughout 2013.  Your participation and engagement throughout the year, coupled with the dedication and leadership from our Board Members, help us accelerate the contribution that innovation makes to the economic and professional growth of people, businesses and societies in our region.

We continue to strive to bring you the latest thinking and insights into the issues and topics most relevant to anyone involved in product development.  Innovation excellence is a phenomenon that every company wants more of and yet, whether large or small, public or private companies struggle with what it is and how it happens. It's a dichotomy - on one hand, innovation comes from the relatively loose "fuzzy" front end but also requires a highly structured and disciplined back end. Although organizations look to put innovation policies, processes and practices in place, there is still ambiguity, disconnects and limited sustainable success.

One of the new developments from PDMA (in conjunction with the Total Innovation Management (TIM) Foundation) that we are really excited about is the introduction of the "International Innovation Management Standard."  This new standard is designed to help organizations pragmatically organize all innovation activities to improve innovation performance.  It provides structure with uniform guidelines, tools, processes and terminology, but can be tailored to meet a company's unique needs. Our Chapter will roll out more information on the International Innovation Management Standard in 2014, so please check the website and event calendar in the months ahead to learn more.

As we look ahead to 2014, our Programming Committee has another excellent slate of events coming up.  We will be starting the year off with a regional premiere of the documentary "Design & Thinking."  We've also assembled a panel of design professionals to discuss the film and the design process immediately following the movie. This event is scheduled for January 29th, and if you register before December 23rd, you'll have a chance to win two tickets to the December 29th Steelers Game. 

Other future program topics include open innovation, the use of accelerators, and using Big Data to address customer needs. Please plan to join us for these relevant and valuable Innovation Forum events. Look for dates and times on the website, via our Chapter emails, and on Twitter, LinkedIn and the PDMA blog.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran, an emerging professional or a student, I encourage you and your colleagues to join the innovation conversation through PDMA.  Follow us on social media.  Become a member.  Participate in our events.  Consider a local or corporate sponsor.   If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to contact me at randyr@ballydesign.com. 

On behalf of the Pittsburgh Chapter Board Members, I want to wish you and your families a Happy Holiday Season and best wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year. 

 

I look forward to seeing you "at the movies" in January!   

 

Randy Rossi

President, PDMA Pittsburgh
President, Bally Design 

"Design & Thinking" Movie Event and Panel Discussion | Jan 29th

PDMA Pittsburgh will be hosting the regional film premiere of the critically acclaimed documentary "Design & Thinking" on January 29, 2014 at the New Hazlett Theater.

How do we fully engage organizations to think about the changing landscape of business, culture and society? Inspired by design thinking, this documentary grabs businessman, designers, social change-makers and individuals to portrait what they have in common when facing this ambiguous 21st century. What is design thinking? How is it applied in business models? How are people changing the world with their own creative minds? It is a call to the conventional minds to change and collaborate.


Following the film, an expert panel of producers and consumers of design services will discuss "how to incorporate design into new product innovation."

For more information and to purchase tickets: http://www.pdma.org/e/in/eid=227


Register Early for Your Chance to Win Steelers Tickets!

Registration for the January 29th "Design & Thinking" movie event is now open.  Networking and registration will begin at 4:00pm with food and drinks being served.  The film will begin at 5:00pm immediately followed by the panel discussion at 6:15pm.  Tickets purchased in advance are $25 for members, $40 for non-members, and $10 for students.  We hope you and your colleagues can join us! 


If you register before December 23rd, you will have a chance to win tickets to the December 29th Steelers Game.  Two winners will be chosen randomly, and each winner will receive two tickets. Watch your email, or find us on LinkedIn http://bit.ly/PDMAInnovate and Twitter @PDMApittsburgh for more details.