Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success
413,961 already enrolled!
Single Account, More Benefits:
- Courses Taught by professionals
- Empowered Community & Connection
- Free Career Mentoring & Support
- Activated Tools, Insights and Reports
- Connect with Mentors and Coaches
- Access Jobs and Internships
- Get help From Our Support staff
- Your Virutal Career Center
- Pursue and International Career
Course Content
About Course
What You will learn
- WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
- Understand what creative thinking techniques are
- Comprehend their importance in tackling global challenges as well as in everyday problem-solving scenarios
- Select and apply the appropriate technique based on the opportunity to seize or the problem to tackle
Course Curriculum / Content
Introduction to the Principles of Creativity
In the first week, we focus on the basic principles of creativity and highlight its importance in tackling global challenges. Creativity is explored and applied at two different levels, lower and higher-level creativity.
Learning Objectives
Understand how the learning journey will be structured and what the main takeaways are
Be familiar with some of the basic principles of creativity
Engage with the course and provoke thought
Welcome to the course
Course Structure and Syllabus
Type of Assessments and Grading
About Imperial College London and the Team
How to Be Successful in this Course
Glossary and Helpful Resources
Nice to meet you!
Principles of Creativity
Mother and Father of Innovation (V)
00:00What is Creativity to You?
Definitions of Creativity
Levels of Creativity (V)
04:00Small “c” creativity
Big “C” Creativity
Creative Environments (V)
02:00When are you Creative?
Creative Environments – Part 2 (V)
01:00Inspirational Reading
Recycled plastic will soon be the only choice
Creativity Tools
In this week, we will look at how we can augment our creativity using different methods of Brainstorming, a creativity approach that aids the generation of ideas in solving a stated problem. We particularly focus on the application of brainstorming tools in group activities, with the aim of enabling you to understand, evaluate and apply different types of brainstorming techniques in your own context.
Learning Objectives
Understand the principles of different brainstorming techniques
Evaluate what type of brainstorming technique is needed at different stages of a project
Creativity Tools
Video Creativity Tools (V)
02:00Top 6 Brainstorming Techniques
Video Brainstorming (V)
02:00The Principles of Brainstorming
Brainstorming Tools: Flip Kart m(V)
02:00Post-it (V)
03:00Alphabet Brainstorming (V)
02:00Brainwriting (V)
03:00Grid Brainstorming (V)
03:00Application of Grid Brainstorming
Thinking Styles
There are many thinking styles which can be helpful in creativity. We will focus on the principles as well as application of a variety of thinking approaches that can be used at both at an individual level and in a group, under various professional and personal situations, allowing you to develop competency and accelerate proficiency in the use of some different thinking styles.
Learning Objectives
Be familiar with different thinking styles
Develop competency in applying a series of different thinking styles within personal contexts
Accelerate proficiency in thinking styles
Introduction
The Value of Diversity (V)
02:00Principles of various thinking styles (V)
04:00Taking an Evidence Based Approach
Discussion : Article on Global Warming
Design Thinking (V)
05:00Design Thinking – Concrete Canvas
Design Thinking – Omlet
Design Thinking – Farewill
Peer-graded Assignment: Thinking Styles in Practice
Different Thinking Styles in Practice (V)
02:00Discussion Prompt
Morphological Analysis
You will become familiar with the Principles of Morphological Analysis and learn how to apply it in various life scenarios, from design to developing movie plot-lines, whilst developing a more systematic approach to idea generation.
Learning Objectives
Understand the principles of Morphological Analysis
Apply Morphological Analysis to a defined context
Develop and generate a more systematic approach to idea generation
Introduction (V)
01:00Principles of Morphological Analysis (V)
03:00Group Application (V)
03:00Discussion: Morphological Chart
Morphological Analysis applied to Plot Line (V)
04:00Group Application of Plot Line MA (V)
05:00Discussion
TRIZ – The Theory of Inventive Problem Solving
In week 5, we continue to enhance your fluency, flexibility and originality of idea generation by introducing you to another creativity tool called the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ). We will particularly focus on application of TRIZ and the TRIZ Contradiction Matrix and how it can be used in problem, both at an individual and in group level.
Learning Objectives
Develop competency in the use of 40 inventive principles, selection of parameters and use of the TRIZ contradiction matrix.
Effectively use the TRIZ contradiction matrix to identify preferred principles for the solution of a challenge
Introduction
Introduction to TRIZ and its Tools
Short Cut to Experience (V)
02:30TRIZ: Principles and Description (V -20)
03:00TRIZ: 39 Parameters
TRIZ: 40 principles
Contradiction Matrix (V)
Contradiction Matrix Grid
Examples of Application: Contradiction Matrix (V)
05:00Contradiction Matrix: Examples of Application
Inventive solutions to everyday problems
Discussion: Share Your Inventive Principles from Application of Triz – 2
Interview With the Expert: Oxford Creativity (V)
07:00
SCAMPER
This week, we will introduce you to the final creativity tool in the course and its importance in generation of ideas and improvement of the existing ones; SCAMPER. You will become familiar with the concepts of SCAMPER and gain proficiency in its application in various unusual, personal or professional situations, whilst inspiring related ideas.
Learning Objectives
Understand the principles of SCAMPER and what it stands for
Apply SCAMPER to your own context
Introduction to SCAMPER (V)
02:00SCAMPER for Architecture (V)
03:00Application of SCAMPER to the Ocean Plastic Crisis
Team Innovation Using SCAMPER (V)
06:00SCAMPER and use of different Thinking Styles
Discussion: Using Scamper to Improve Wellbeing
Using the Tools in Combination
Now that you have mastered a wide range of creativity tools and developed competency in their application over a wide range of situations and domains, we will wrap up by asking you to use these tool in combinations and apply these in context and scenarios that are also related to your own discipline or context. This will help you reinforce the concepts that you have learnt so far and enable you to use the creativity tools freely in problem solving and idea generation.
Learning Objectives
Understand how the creativity tools you've learnt can be applied in the real world
Frame the creativity tools you've learnt within a practical process
Develop confidence in applying a combination of the creativity tools to every context
Use creativity tools in problem solving
Introduction
Creative Problem Solving
The Double Diamond Model
Examples of Application: Circle Brainstorming (V)
02:00Circle Brainstorming Steps
State of the Art Software: B-Link (V)
03:00E-tivity: B-Link
Discussion: Share your B-link!
Course Wrap-up
Reflecting on your own skills and strength
Peter Childs on Creative Thinking (V)
02:00
Student Ratings & Reviews
Requirements
- Basic Internet Service
- Mobile Responsive
- Delivered in English Language
Target Audience
- Entrepreneurs
- Fresh Graduates
- Curious minds about Innovation
- Entry Level Talents
Material Includes
- Shareable Certificates
- Self-Paced Learning Option
- Course Videos & Readings
- Practice Quizzes
Description
In today’s ever-growing and changing world, being able to think creatively and innovatively are essential skills. It can sometimes be challenging to step back and reflect in an environment which is fast paced or when you are required to assimilate large amounts of information. Making sense of or communicating new ideas in an innovative and engaging way, approaching problems from fresh angles, and producing novel solutions are all traits which are highly sought after by employers.
This course will equip you with a ‘tool-box’, introducing you to a selection of behaviours and techniques that will augment your innate creativity. Some of the tools are suited to use on your own and others work well for a group, enabling you to leverage the power of several minds. You can pick and choose which of these tools or techniques suit your needs and interests, focusing on some or all of the selected approaches and in the order that fits best for you. The practical approach of this course enables you to acquire an essential skill-set for generating ideas, with plenty of:
– Fun e-tivities and exercises; – Practical lectures and tips;
– Video representations of the techniques in action.
By the end of this course you should be able to: – Pick a type of brainstorming you think will be useful to apply to a challenge – Use alphabet brainstorming in tackling a challenge – Use grid brainstorming in tackling a challenge – Use a morphological chart to synthesise a solution to a challenge – Use the TRIZ contradiction matrix to identify recommended inventive principles – Apply SCAMPER to a range of challenges The greatest innovators aren’t necessarily the people who have the most original idea. Often, they are people- or teams- that have harnessed their creativity to develop a new perspective or more effective way of communicating an idea. You can train your imagination to seize opportunities, break away from routine and habit, and tap into your natural creativity. Join this course and a community of practitioners in CREATIVITY!
Student Ratings & Reviews
Students are also Interested in:

10,000 Online Ccourses
Acquire most in-demand skills through our curated courses & Certificates

Expert Instructors
Meet the best Instructors and Coaches who are obsessed with your success

Unlimited Access
You have all the tools for skill, career growth and a vibrant community
Start Getting New Knowledge and Experience, Together!
The power of the Oriental Academy comes from our users. Register now and access all our tools from Job search, Skill development Coaching, and Support

We’ve turned career development into a movement backed by the community. Our tools are designed to help you win in the Job market. There are Jobs, Coaches, Courses etc
The Company
Industry Tracks
Help Center
© 2023 – Oriental Academy || Made with Love by The Oriental Career team