Written by This course offers an alternative and multidisciplinary approach to the analysis of complex systems that is complementary to traditional systems engineering and product design. The pedagogic approach blends theories from cognitive science, aesthetics and art, behavioral economics, and design thinking with experiential learning based on the analysis of visual art masterpieces through museum visits, visual arts labs, and writing workshops.
Full immersion format for graduate students and professionals in the fields of Engineering, Architecture and Management Science
Creativity labs, workshops and site visits
Previous editions delivered at Aalto University (Finland), Stevens Institute of Technology (USA), St John’s University (USA), University of Naples Federico II (Italy)
These activities are aimed at improving the ability of course participants to analyze perceptions and emotional responses of individuals induced by their interaction with complex systems. Based on this analysis, students will participate in a systems redesign project that includes harnessing complexity to improve user experience and systems performance. Focus areas include:
- How the mind perceives and resolves complexity
- Sense-making and decision-making heuristics in creativity and problem solving
- Perception of art (neuro-aesthetics): how/why the brain perceives beauty
- Design Thinking: how to create meaning and improve user experience by simplifying complexity
- How to design elegant systems and interfaces
- Acquire skills and use tools and methods to support creative thinking from diverse fields including fiction writing, photography and visual art, data systems thinking and engineering
Elegant Design Thinking 