University of Pennsylvania
Creativity In Business and Other Disciplines
University of Pennsylvania

Creativity In Business and Other Disciplines

Jerry Wind

Instructor: Jerry Wind

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
No prior experience required
4 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level
No prior experience required
4 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Learners will explore diverse approaches and tools employed by visionary creatives.

  • Through experimentation and reflection, learners will cultivate their own creative potential.

  • From accomplished professionals in their fields, learners will explore how creativity drives innovation, problem-solving, and transformation.

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Recently updated!

August 2025

Assessments

2 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer
Taught in English

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There are 9 modules in this course

Welcome to the first module, where you will embark on a journey to unlock your creative potential and cultivate innovative solutions. Throughout this transformative lesson, you hear from world-renowned experts who will share their inspiring examples and unique approaches. By delving into the foundations of creativity, you will gain invaluable insights from our esteemed guest speakers: Thom Collins, the Director of the Barnes Foundation; Michael Platt, Penn University Professor of Neuroscience; and Prof. Anjan Chatterjee, the director of Penn's Neuroaesthetic Center. This module introduces you to the approaches and tools employed by visionary creatives and encourages you to experiment with these methods to tackle your own challenges. You will discover twelve approaches, each providing a distinct perspective on creative problem-solving. These sets encompass diverse strategies, including challenging your mental models and the status quo, following your dreams and visions to create new paradigms, employing morphological analysis, leveraging analogies and benchmarking, embracing interdisciplinary perspectives, harnessing your networks and open innovation, and inviting radical ideas. Additionally, you will explore rules and tools, gain insights from consumer behavior and cultural and business trends, learn the importance of iterations and experimentation, nurture curiosity and imagination, explore the relationship between AI and creativity, and develop a process to generate and evaluate new ideas while persistently and courageously pursuing them. Throughout this course, you will be exposed to examples from 60 creatives spanning various disciplines. The course embraces the broad spectrum of creative endeavors, from art, music, design, and architecture to the entrepreneurial landscape of innovative startups. By highlighting the accomplishments and methodologies of these diverse practitioners, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of creativity and its applications across multiple disciplines.

What's included

7 videos4 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

Throughout this transformative lesson, we will explore the first six sets of approaches proven to generate more and improved creative options. Our speakers will delve into the first and most fundamental approach, challenging and changing your mental models. Through their breakthrough innovations, dominant mental models of their time were changed, and we will investigate how we can achieve similar shifts today. Our knowledgeable speakers will share insights into strategies that have disrupted industries by breaking conventional thinking and exploring the power of following your dreams and visions to create new paradigms. We will then introduce the concept of Morphological Analysis, which provides a structured framework for generating innovative ideas, and you will also have the opportunity to create your own to apply to a problem you wish to solve. Additionally, we will explore using Analogies and benchmarking as powerful tools to inspire creative thinking. By embracing interdisciplinary perspectives, leveraging your networks, and embracing open innovation, you will gain a broader outlook to fuel your creativity. Lastly, we will discuss the importance of bringing radical ideas and approaches to break creative barriers and insights into the rules and tools that can support your creative journey. By the end of this lesson, you will possess the necessary tools and knowledge to generate improved and superior creative options, enabling you to apply these approaches effectively to your personal and professional endeavors. You'll be prepared to conduct your first experiment by utilizing one of the approaches and report your results.

What's included

13 videos4 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

In this lesson, we delve into the significance of generating innovative ideas, evaluating options, and developing growth strategies for individuals, organizations, and communities. Throughout this module, we will briefly review the last six approaches. We will explore renowned methodologies such as the IDEO design thinking approach, the "Front to back" approach developed by Mphasis, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process. We will draw inspiration from industry experts and pioneers as we explore the interplay between consumer behavior, cultural influences, and business trends. Howard Moskowitz, known for his contributions to products such as Prego tomato sauce, the Cashback Card, Oral-B toothbrushes, and Tropicana orange juice, will provide insights into understanding decision-making in everyday situations. Shelley Zalis, the driving force behind The Female Quotient, will showcase the power of taking risks and breaking barriers in creating a powerful women's movement. Barbara Heberlein, an esteemed interior design expert, will demonstrate the value of multiple design iterations in transforming spaces like an 1850 house kitchen. Drawing inspiration from "The Imagineering Story," we will gain insights into the creative process behind Walt Disney's Imagineering and the importance of exploration and experimentation. Throughout the lesson, we will discuss the applications of AI and machine learning in diverse contexts. Professor Arik Shamir will provide a deep dive into AI for human creativity, exploring how AI technologies can augment and enhance our creative capabilities. We will explore how AI and machine learning transforms management disciplines such as manufacturing, logistics, operations, marketing, finance, and human resources. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these technologies are reshaping our creative processes, challenging traditional notions of thinking, and opening new doors for exploration and problem-solving. To further enhance your learning experience, you can select one of these approaches and design an experiment to test its relevance in addressing a major challenge using AI. Applying your newfound knowledge and engaging in hands-on experimentation will give you a deeper understanding of how these methodologies can be effectively applied in practical contexts. By leveraging the power of consumer behavior, cultural insights, and business trends, as well as incorporating the wisdom and experiences of industry experts, you will be empowered to generate more creative and innovative strategies. Get ready to unlock new possibilities and overcome challenges with courage, persistence, and the transformative potential of AI and incorporate these approaches in your next experiment.

What's included

18 videos2 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

In this captivating lesson, you will journey through various art forms and cultural experiences, delving into the depths of creativity. Immerse yourself in the insights shared by nine exceptional artists and art professionals, each with their unique perspective. Prepare to be inspired by the likes of Dale Chihuly, the world-renowned glass artist; Derek Gillman, an esteemed Chinese Art Scholar leading the art collection at Drexel University; and Refik Anadol, a visionary media artist who merges AI and art to create captivating experiences. You will also have the privilege of hearing from Takashi Kudo, the Brain Director at TeamLab; Thomas Krens, the former Director of the Guggenheim Museum and the visionary behind museum island in Abu Dhabi; David Ludwig, an acclaimed composer and musician, and Dean of Music at Juilliard, David Devan, the innovative General Director of Opera Philadelphia, Al Filreis, a celebrated writer, poet, and Director of the Center for Programs in Contemporary Writing at the University of Pennsylvania, and Christine Cox, a former ballerina and Executive Director of BalletX. Through their diverse perspectives, you will uncover foundational insights into creativity in art, exploring elements such as emotion, sensory experiences, and cultural relevance. As you journey deeper, you will study the techniques and methods employed by these artists to create impactful experiences for their audiences through music, dance, and poetry. Furthermore, you will witness how new technologies transform the art landscape and challenge traditional creative processes. During this enlightening lesson, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your experiences with these art forms and identify the elements that made them truly memorable. Additionally, you will select one of the discussed tools and use it as your experiment to tackle one of your key challenges. Notably, David Devan will offer an approach to creating opera, providing valuable insights for those interested in exploring this art form firsthand. By the conclusion of this enriching journey, you will have gained a deeper understanding of what makes art projects successful and how they effectively communicate their intended messages and themes to audiences. With this knowledge and inspiration, you will be empowered to embrace creativity in your endeavors, applying the lessons learned from these remarkable artists to unlock your artistic potential in your next experiment.

What's included

8 videos2 readings1 assignment1 peer review2 discussion prompts

In this lesson, we will explore the fascinating relationship between architecture and creativity. Together, we'll dive into the world of architects, urban planners, landscape architects, and interior designers as they tackle design challenges and overcome constraints like budget and timelines. We'll draw inspiration from remarkable case studies, including Helsinki's Hot Heart and floating tropical forests, to understand how breaking disciplinary boundaries and engaging a broader audience can lead to visible infrastructure and positive environmental impact. Throughout the lesson, we'll be joined by esteemed professionals who will share their invaluable insights. Barbara Eberlein, President and Creative Director of Eberlein Design Consultants will emphasize the importance of exploring different approaches and analyzing potential solutions. Landscape architect Janice Parker will highlight the significance of forward-thinking and resilient solutions in designing with nature. Carlo Ratti, a professor at MIT and founding partner of Carlo Ratti Associati, will guide us in understanding how design can tackle pressing issues like climate change and segregation through interdisciplinary collaboration. Distinguished architect David Row will challenge futuristic thinking and advocate for embracing the universe's and nature's order, drawing inspiration from movements such as Slow Food USA. Finally, we'll delve into the concept of beauty in architecture with Don Ruggles, CEO of Ruggles Nave Architects. We'll explore how beauty elicits subconscious responses and the integration of neuroscience and biometrics to create spaces that promote well-being. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a comprehensive understanding of how architecture and design drive creativity and innovation. You'll be equipped with the knowledge to apply these principles in your work, creating transformative designs that engage audiences and address societal challenges. Using any of the approaches mentioned, you will design your next experiment to address one of your challenges.

What's included

6 videos2 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

In this lesson, we will explore the crucial role of creativity in science, innovation, and problem-solving. We will hear from experts and accomplished individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields and have embraced creativity as a driving force for success. Dr. Eric Bernstein, a laser surgeon, scientist, entrepreneur, and advisor to laser companies, will emphasize the importance of creativity in science and innovation. We will learn that creativity is necessary for there to be groundbreaking advancements. We will also discover how wisdom from art, philosophy, and poetry can effectively manage the growth of knowledge and innovation. Don Morell, chairman of the board of the Franklin Institute, will share insights about the institute's prestigious Laureate program. We will explore the characteristics and key factors that contribute to creativity in science, as observed in the Laureates. These factors include curiosity, open-mindedness, persistence, observation, and incremental advances. The example of the global pandemic will be used to highlight the importance of courage, persistence, collaboration, and experimentation in developing vaccines. Mark Yim, an Asa Whitney Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, will discuss setting goals or challenges while remaining open to changing them as the creative process unfolds. We will explore how unintended applications and the willingness to explore different possibilities can lead to more impactful outcomes. The importance of flexibility and exploration will be emphasized. Dr. Yann Echelard, the former president and CEO at rEVO Biologics, will introduce the concept of using animals, particularly goats, as bioreactors to produce human proteins. We will learn how recent advancements in gene expression and DNA integration techniques have made this innovative approach possible, offering a safe and efficient method for producing essential proteins for human health. Dr. Story Musgrave, a multi-talented individual who is an MD, trauma surgeon, astronaut, entrepreneur, and artist, will share his insights on curiosity, imagination, and following one's passions. We will explore how curiosity drives the desire to understand while imagination helps build expectations and modify them based on reality. Dr. Musgrave's experiences as an astronaut will illustrate the importance of multivariate thinking, recognizing synergies between different disciplines, and balancing intuition and expertise. Dr. Scott Parazynski, a Stanford MD and former NASA astronaut, will highlight the significance of teamwork and safety in challenging situations. We will hear about his experiences repairing a damaged solar panel during a space mission and the innovative robotic arm and procedures involved. The importance of belief in oneself, thinking outside the box, collaboration, and utilizing all available resources will be emphasized. Throughout the lesson, we will explore various themes and concepts related to creativity, innovation, problem-solving, interdisciplinary orientation, changing mental models, and leveraging resources. We will learn from the experiences and insights of these accomplished individuals and understand the value of creativity in shaping the future of science and technology. By the end of this lesson, you will have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of creativity in science and innovation and how it can be applied to overcome challenges, drive progress, and achieve success in various fields. You will be inspired to embrace creativity, think outside the box, leverage diverse perspectives to impact your endeavors positively and use one of the approaches discussed in your next experiment.

What's included

7 videos2 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

In this lesson, we'll explore creative gaming, advertising, and marketing strategies. You will first hear from our speaker, Kevin Werbach, the leading expert on the business, legal, and public policy implications of emerging technologies such as broadband, blockchain, and big data. He will emphasize the importance of creativity in successful game design and how it can motivate participation in online services. We will also examine the concept of gamification and learn from the case study of Axie Infinity, a blockchain-based tournament game that used tokenomics and the play-to-earn model to incentivize users. We'll explore other fascinating case studies, such as Duolingo, the language learning app, that will exemplify successful gamification, showcasing how creative implementation can engage users and create a motivating experience. Additionally, we'll delve into advertising and marketing, hearing valuable lessons from Effie Award winners and industry leaders such as Tommy Hilfiger. We'll discover the creative approaches employed by major fashion labels like Apple, Dove, IBM, MC, and Nike, and understand how they have achieved success by taking risks, balancing instinct with data, and focusing on the human experience. We'll also explore the power of representation and creativity in advertising campaigns through insights shared by key speakers from Cannes Lions and the ANA. Fiorenza Plinio from Cannes Lions will showcase impactful campaigns, emphasizing the need to represent all groups more conscientiously. Jae Goodman and Traci Alford from Effie Worldwide will highlight the importance of objective setting, creative execution, and measuring results in achieving marketing success. By the end of this lesson, you'll have a deep understanding of the creative strategies employed in gaming, advertising, and marketing. You'll be equipped with insights from industry leaders and be able to identify common traits of successful companies, such as taking risks, combining gut instinct and data insights, and focusing on creativity to drive a human-centered experience. You will be prepared to select an approach to enhance creativity and design and implement an experiment. You will report the results that address an unsolvable challenge to spark innovation with your peers.

What's included

10 videos2 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

In this lesson, you'll explore the evolving landscape of work, driven by advancements in science and technology and the impact of the pandemic. We'll dig into the changes brought about by the pandemic, including the rise of remote work, the use of communication platforms like Zoom, the importance of e-learning, and the exponential growth of e-commerce. We'll also examine the concept of the open talent economy, where individuals increasingly prefer independent work over traditional employment. We'll hear from several incredible speakers to spark your creativity, starting with John Winsor, a pioneer of open innovation, who will discuss the abundance of creativity and how it can be harnessed globally. He'll share his experiences with Victors and Spoils, an ad agency built on crowdsourcing principles, and his work with Open Assembly and the Center for the Transformation of Work, which focus on leveraging cognitive surplus and transforming work for individuals and organizations. You'll gain insights into the concept of a networked organization that taps into external talent and embraces 'taskification' to access the best ideas and skills. We'll also explore the world of entrepreneurship through inspiring case studies of both successful and failed ventures. You'll learn from entrepreneurs who have navigated the ever-changing consumer landscape and technological advancements, continuously innovating to stay relevant. We'll hear from Victor Fung, chairman of the Fung Group, and his daughter Sabrina Fung, who will discuss the evolution of their 115-year-old global supply chain firm and the potential of Web 3.0. They'll highlight the importance of adaptation, rapid adjustment, and the democratization of the global supply chain. Additionally, we'll delve into the innovative ecosystem of Israel, often referred to as the startup nation. Through stories of groundbreaking ventures such as SpaceIL and Flytrex, you'll learn how Israeli entrepreneurs have overcome challenges, embraced constraints, and found creative solutions. We'll hear from Dadi Perlmutter, chairman of the board at Teramount LTD, who will share insights on going against conventional wisdom, finding hidden opportunities in failure, and embracing creativity as a catalyst for innovation. Dov Moran, managing partner of Grove Ventures and inventor of the USB flash drive, will discuss the journey of bringing a revolutionary product to market and the strategic partnerships that played a crucial role in their success. We'll also explore the factors behind Israel's remarkable entrepreneurial success, including the influence of cultural phenomena, heritage, and a supportive ecosystem. Yossi Vardi, an Israeli high-tech entrepreneur and investor, will shed light on these elements contributing to Israel's innovative prowess. Noam Lemelshtrich Latar, founding dean of the School of Communications at IDC Herzliya, will discuss the strategy of changing a country's brand image through innovation and highlight the impact of the "nocamels" website in reshaping Israel's global perception. By the end of this module, you'll have gained a comprehensive understanding of the future of work, learned valuable lessons from tech startups and continuous innovation, and be equipped to tackle challenges by designing and implementing your own experiment using one of the discussed approaches.

What's included

7 videos2 readings1 peer review2 discussion prompts

In this concluding lesson, we will review the various approaches to enhance creativity and reflect on the valuable insights gained throughout the course. We will focus on reflecting upon and reviewing the various approaches discussed to enhance creativity. We will also explore the significance of following dreams and visions, even if they seem unachievable, to create a new paradigm. We will also revisit morphological analysis as a valuable framework for problem-solving and addressing challenges. It is crucial to continuously seek and update your customized portfolio of approaches based on your experiences and insights gained from other sources. We encourage you to add these examples and other insights from the course to your own list of lessons about creativity and continually update it based on your experiences. Remember, while the course aims to provide value through inspirational stories, insights from guest speakers, and the various approaches discussed, the true value lies in your ability to apply these approaches and ideas to your own challenges and creative endeavors.

What's included

2 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt

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Instructor

Jerry Wind
University of Pennsylvania
1 Course15 learners

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