Foreword from the Author
As long as I can remember I’ve been interested in creating ideas that solve problems. New ideas, unique ideas, novel ideas. Some were definitely better than others, but I always had fun and people told me they liked what I created.
Today, I write about creativity, innovation and design thinking. I share experiences from my projects, I include references from my classrooms, and resources that help me do my job as an innovator.
Review the articles, find something of interest and dig in. If you ask a question, I’ll answer. If you share a comment, I’ll reply. If you want to talk we’ll schedule a call. You see, this is what I do for fun – I’m just looking for people who want to play.
The Story of SPUR: Scaling Paid Undergraduate Research at UC San Diego
The Story of SPUR: Scaling Paid Undergraduate Research at UC San Diego In response to a growing need to provide equitable access to paid undergraduate research opportunities, UC San Diego’s Vice Chancellors [...]
A Unified Vision: How UCSD Recreation Found Clarity Through Problem Statements
Through structured exercises and guided discussion, these leaders explored their frustrations, uncovering recurring themes. By the end of the workshop, the team surfaced 13 problem statements—well-defined expressions of the challenges they faced. These statements captured not only the issues but also the human impact behind them, setting the stage for meaningful action.
Reimagining Collaboration: How Design Thinking Unlocks Team Potential and Interdepartmental Cooperation
This narrative highlights how The Design Lab enabled the UC San Diego Advancement Team to break down silos, foster a unified vision, and enhance collective performance through Design Thinking. It’s a story of transformation, showcasing the tangible benefits of innovation, collaboration, and strategic problem-solving.
The Story of SPUR: Scaling Paid Undergraduate Research at UC San Diego
The success of SPUR highlights what the university and its departments can achieve by embracing the Innovation Funnel approach. The model is more than a program—it’s a blueprint for transformative change. It proves that when people and processes can be brought together, complex problems can be solved with creativity, collaboration, and impact.
Artificial Intelligence: The Cannabidiol of Business
In the bustling marketplace of modern business, we hear whispers of a new remedy from startup garages to the corridors of boardrooms – Artificial Intelligence (AI), or as I like to call it, "the Cannabidiol (CBD) of Business."
Executive Cheatsheet: What’s the difference between critical thinking, design thinking, and human-centered design?
Critical thinking is a general cognitive skill focused on rational analysis and decision-making. Design thinking is a creative problem-solving approach focusing on empathy and user-centric solutions. Human-centered design is a broader concept encompassing critical and design thinking, emphasizing the importance of user needs and preferences in problem-solving and design processes.
Unlocking Creativity and Expertise: The Benefits of an Apprenticeship with a Design Consultant
Kevin Popovic, Education Manager for Design Lab at UC San Diego, explains that in a competitive job market, undergraduate students are constantly seeking opportunities to gain a competitive edge and enhance their employability. One avenue that has gained significant recognition is apprenticeships with experienced design consultants. These apprenticeships offer students a unique chance to delve into the world of design thinking and apply their academic knowledge to real-world projects.
Inside a Design-a-thon: How an Innovation Funnel Impacts Wildfires in California
Kevin Popovic, Program Designer for Design Lab, explains why the innovation funnel works. “An innovation funnel facilitates the things that need to happen in order for a group of people to generate new ideas that solve a problem. First, they need to LEARN about the challenge. Next, they have to WORK together to identify a problem and create a solution in a short amount of time. By identifying groups of like-minded people, the can collaborate to DEVELOP and idea to PRESENT the thinking behind their solutions to help experts evaluate how the new idea can impact the problem.”
#DoSomething: Our part in solving the problems of #COVID19
Recently, there has been a change in my feelings that has come from my work with others who are also feeling the same way, and are focusing on creating new ideas that solve the short and long term new problems associated with finding our new normal.
