Design Thinking and Innovation

1.5 Credits · Level: Graduate

All organizations, whether they are in the private, public, or social sectors, are judged against the standards of “more, better, faster.” Those organizations that thrive, not just survive, recognize that to do it “more, better, faster” requires imagination and creativity. Whether it is entrepreneurs developing winning business ideas—or marketers developing new product ideas to satisfy changing consumer needs and tastes—or nonprofits serving the diverse needs of the communities they serve—or people continually “reinventing” themselves to stay gainfully employed—it requires imagination and creativity. In this course, our approach to imagination and creativity will be guided by the principles of Design Thinking. As part of the Design Thinking process, we will identify common “blocks” to imagination and creativity. In addition, we will upgrade your imagination skills, identify strategies and techniques to enhance your creativity, and develop the “mindset” and “skill set” for innovation. To achieve these objectives will not only require hard work and discipline, but also a renewed appreciation of foolishness and play.