The 3-ideas presentation is a critical step in the process of choosing a direction for your team's project. The presentation also counts for a portion of your section-specific grade.

The assignment is also intended to help you learn how to prepare a 'clean' poster and describe a product idea in a very short amount of time... roughly the amount of time you might have to pitch a new idea to an executive when you see her while riding in a elevator. You will also be able to see ideas that classmates are considering.

Your section will prepare 3 posters that illustrate the section's three best ideas for a project. These should include both ideas derived from your brainstorming and the idea fair.

6 sheets of foamcore will be made available in your team's work area (3 sheets for each section). Use the foamcore that we provide so all posters are the same size. Each idea should be represented on a different sheet. Please lay the posters out in tall format since fitting all the posters around the classroom is tight. Also, be sure to identify your team and section using small letters in the upper-right or bottom-right corner of the poster.

Each idea poster should include a simple sketch... readable from 50 feet away... and significant information or important questions that relate to the idea (such as potential customer and technical feasibility estimates). In a glance, a viewer should 'get it.' A few examples from a previous year are provided on the right. You can also view posters from the 2005 class in the gallery (select a project and click on the ideas link).

You must also identify at least one person/expert that is representative of your potential customer and be confident that they can serve as a resource during the term.

Your section will present the ideas during class. Please review the detailed presentation logistics carefully.

After class, the posters will be collected and all lab instructors will meet to discuss the 6 ideas presented by your team (three from each section). Based upon your work, the instructors will choose a product idea area and this will become the entire team's focus for the rest of the term. When making the selection instructors will consider: technical and educational interest; customer needs; project scope; and the product portfolio formed by the 6 projects in the class.

The posters will be photographed and put on the course website.

See results of 3 ideas presentation.