IDS 397 Special Topics: What does it mean to be human in a digital era?
It’s no secret that excessive smartphone use is associated with a flood of mental disorders. How do we help people use their phones with intention?
In this course choose how you want to unplug and explore special topics like the science behind savoring life’s experiences, creativity and well-being in a hyper-connected world and more.
IDS 397 is a 3-credit class, in person and on campus. Open to all—no prerequisites required.
Innovation and design classes
Creative Concepting
Learn strategies, mindsets, and tools to overcome barriers, explore new perspectives, and innovate.
- Format: Online, In-person
- Duration: 7 weeks
- Credits: 3
Lesson 1: Why Creativity Matters
- Learn the fundamentals of creativity and why building confidence is the first step to becoming a divergent thinker.
- Project 1: What the Future — Imagine your daily life 50 years from now and creatively envision how technological, cultural, and societal advancements will reshape your morning routine and everyday experiences.
Lesson 2: How Creativity Works
- Dive into the fascinating world of creativity by understanding the four states of creative flow, the science behind how your brain works during creative ideation, and techniques like morphological analysis to push the boundaries of your creative thinking.
- Project 2: Everyday Fix-it Challenge — Identify a daily annoyance and develop a creative solution to eliminate it, reimagining how life could improve without these small frustrations.
Lesson 3: Curiosity
- Discover how curiosity drives innovation by expanding brain plasticity, fostering empathy, and employing human-centered problem-solving techniques, transforming “how might we” questions into actionable ideas.
- Project 3: Power to the People — Reimagine and redesign public services to transform frustrating user experiences into seamless, human-centered solutions that exceed expectations and create real impact.
Lesson 4: Problem Identification
- Learn how to ensure you’re solving the right problem by asking the right questions and utilizing powerful techniques like the Five Whys and SCAMPER to uncover the core issues and explore creative solutions.
- Project 4: Problem Sleuthing — Sharpen your problem-solving skills by uncovering root causes using the Five Whys method and the SCAMPER technique to develop creative, impactful solutions.
Lesson 5: Ideate + Collaborate
- Develop impactful ideas through collaborative thinking and tools for ideation, leveraging AI for enhanced collaborative intelligence to elevate the creative process.
- Project 5: Tackling Duck Syndrome — Develop innovative solutions to support individuals dealing with hidden stress and anxiety, helping people manage the pressures of everyday life with empathy-driven products or services.
Lesson 6: Fear, Failure, & Feedback
- Embrace ambiguity, overcome the fear of failure, and leverage feedback as a tool for growth—transforming creative blocks into opportunities and gaining a competitive edge in your work.
- Project 6: Brave Bingo — Push your boundaries by completing challenges that foster growth, resilience, and adaptability, helping you build a growth mindset while embracing discomfort and ambiguity.
Lesson 7: Showcasing Your Skills
- Learn how to create a standout portfolio and develop thought leadership content that highlights your skills, showcases your projects, and positions you as an expert in your field.
- Project 7: Portfolio and Thought-Leadership Content — Build a professional portfolio and create impactful thought leadership content to showcase your skills, reflect on your projects, and position yourself for future opportunities, while gaining valuable feedback and practicing pitching your work.
More information
Contact your advisor if you need help registering for the course.
Content on this page is provided as a quick reference for planning. All official course descriptions, degree requirements, program learning outcomes and more are published on the Undergraduate Catalog site. Updated December 2025.