Creative Problem Solving Using Design Thinking

COM 339
Closed
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness
1
Timeline
  • January 16, 2024
    Experience start
  • January 22, 2024
    Introduce Challenge to Students
  • January 31, 2024
    Stage 1 Complete
  • February 19, 2024
    Stage 2 Complete
  • March 13, 2024
    Stage 3 Complete
  • April 3, 2024
    Stages 4 & 5 Complete
  • April 26, 2024
    Experience end
Experience
1/1 project matches
Dates set by experience
Preferred companies
Anywhere
Startup, Family-Owned, Non profit, Small to medium enterprise, Social Enterprise
Any industries

Experience scope

Categories
Public relations Graphic design Communications Product or service launch
Skills
use of design thinking to solve complex problems creative problem solving creative thinking innovative thinking
Learner goals and capabilities

Looking for creative, innovative ideas? Bring on students from Waynesburg University to be your learner-consultants, in a project-based experience.


Learners will work on one main project over the experience of the semester, connecting with you as needed with virtual communication tools.


Learners in this program/experience will:


  • Use design thinking to solve complex problems;


  • Identify and use the processes and methods of creative problem solving;


  • Apply a range of appropriate practical creativity techniques and frameworks;


  • Demonstrate leadership abilities and group facilitation skills.


What can our learners do for your company?


Learners in groups of 3-5 will work with your company to identify your needs and provide actionable recommendations, based on their in-depth research and analysis.


  • Evaluate a challenge and share creative recommendations about a product, process, or service;
  • Provide solutions-based approaches to solving complex problems.

Learners

Learners
Undergraduate
Any level
10 learners
Project
15 hours per learner
Learners self-assign
Teams of 3
Expected outcomes and deliverables

At the end of the experience, your company/organization will:


  1. Receive project reports outlining the research conducted on audience, defining the problem(s) and opportunities, ideas generated, possible prototype(s), evaluation of prototype(s), and final results.


(Deliverables are negotiable, and will seek to align the needs of the learners and the organization.)*

Project timeline
  • January 16, 2024
    Experience start
  • January 22, 2024
    Introduce Challenge to Students
  • January 31, 2024
    Stage 1 Complete
  • February 19, 2024
    Stage 2 Complete
  • March 13, 2024
    Stage 3 Complete
  • April 3, 2024
    Stages 4 & 5 Complete
  • April 26, 2024
    Experience end

Project Examples

Requirements

Project activities that learners can complete may include, but are not limited to: 

  • New brand identities;
  • Public Relations campaigns;
  • Product, process, or service design and/or redesign.


Students in the Department of Communication at Waynesburg University learn to craft messages for distribution across many mass media. Students are expected to complete a wide variety of practical experiences to develop a portfolio of work. Students enrolled in Creativity Theory and Practice have a passion for visual design, public relations, advertising, and/or communication.


Students possess a variety of skills that include, but are not limited to:

  • Use of Adobe design software (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign);
  • Web design;
  • Message design and color theory;
  • Brand management;
  • Writing and editing;
  • Research;
  • Strategic planning;
  • Relationship building and management;
  • Social Media;
  • Creativity

Additional company criteria

Companies must answer the following questions to submit a match request to this experience:

Must be willing to provide feedback to students throughout the process.

Must be willing and available to meet with students for a final presentation.