Future Making & Creativity

This course deals with the role of creativity in innovation development processes, and focuses, in particular, on how artistic production can be meaningfully used for this purpose. By linking photography with the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), the course engages both theoretically and practically with contemporary issues of societal progress, and public welfare-oriented, entrepreneurial action. The general aim is to enable participants to apply a radically creative approach to entrepreneurial strategy-making, and to use artistic methods as a catalyst for society-oriented innovation development. Given its strong practical orientation, the end result will be a photo exhibition that discusses alternative entrepreneurial strategies in realizing the Inner Development Goals. In designing the exhibition, students learn how an artistic method such as photography can be used to discover unconventional paths and recognise what radical new ways exist that could lead to positive social change. By reflecting on individual and cultural aspects of positive social development, the exhibition concludes the course and serves as a discussion forum for alternative realities of life and possible innovative approaches to progress. The course will offered in interdisciplinary and cross-university fashion (at both the students and the teaching faculty level) and taught be experts in design, future-making, and entrepreneurship. Collaborations include for example the Munich University of Applied Sciences (Prof. Ralph Buchner, Faculty of Design) and the Technical University of Munich (Julian Krauss, Professorship of Innovation and Organization Design).

Learning Goals: To learn key theoretical foundations for better understanding the role creativity has in innovation processes and entrepreneurship. To develop an understanding of the role of artistic production, storytelling and narrative in shaping collaborative innovation processes as well as public perception of entrepreneurship and social impact in general. To critically analyze the influence entrepreneurial action has on societal development, and to identify key themes and messages related to impact-oriented entrepreneurship. To explore the ways in which artistic production, and visual narratives in particular, can inspire and inform entrepreneurial efforts aimed at addressing social, environmental, and economic challenges. To encourage creative production and the development of innovative ideas for addressing social and environmental challenges. To build skills in critical analysis, oral and written communication, and collaborative problem- solving. After the course, students will be able to: Define, explain, critically discuss and apply selected key theories related to entrepreneurship, strategy, creativity, impact and narratives. Interpret, classify, and assess the conduct and performance of any organization’s innovation and foresight efforts. Describe, compare, and appraise entrepreneurial strategies and innovation concepts given their potential societal impact. Distinguish the newly learned theories from previously learned management perspectives. Evaluate how artistic work may affect innovation processes.

The course is examined via the solution of exercises (“Übungsleistung”). Specifically, we draw on two types of exercises to assess whether you and your team have reached the “Learning Goals”. These elements correspond to the “Teaching Methods” listed below. There is no written exam in the traditional sense. Oral, individual – 30%: We will assess the quality of your contributions in class discussions to see whether you can define, explain, and apply in practice key theories of creativity, design, entrepreneurship, impact, and society; describe, compare, and appraise different existing design strategies and solutions for a given impact context; and compose innovative ideas for addressing social and environmental challenges through the application of photographic fieldwork and the curation of visual narratives. Written, group – 70%: At the end of the course, you will submit a presentation in which you will highlight that you reached the key learning objectives of this course. As a group, you will be challenged to develop a unique creative approach to the case challenge, for which you will need to draw on key concepts learned in class and curate a photographic exhibition. This is used to showcase that you can interpret, classify, and assess the conduct and performance of any bottom- up organized effort to achieve societal change, i.e. to inspire, inform and mobilize entrepreneurial efforts aimed at overcoming social and/or environmental challenges

Students of all disciplines are admitted to this course, but a good knowledge of German and English as well as a general interest in practical creative work, and in questions of sustainability and impact are basic prerequisites for participation in the course. The course language is mainly German. Please note that you will work in interdisciplinary groups consisting of both TUM students and students of creative subjects at other leading institutions, such as design students the Munich University of Applied Sciences. The willingness to read scientific literature and to learn how to use cameras are important prerequisites, as their knowledge and application will influence the final grade. Important: You do NOT have to have previous experience as a photographer or own any camera equipment except for a smartphone camera. General interest in the topic and eagerness to learn will be sufficient. We strongly discourage students to attend this course who are not capable of attending all sessions.

Drawing on “Participant-Centred” teaching techniques, the largest share of this course will be co- developed by all of us through discussions of course materials and applying those in practice. The aim is not to learn a specific "best practice," but to explore the potential of photography in discovering unconventional strategic pathways, i.e. by exploring possible alternative realities, respectively to find out what photography can do to realize a preferred way of (entrepreneurial) action. The final project at the end of the course is designed to demonstrate students' creativity and ability to apply what they have learned to a real-world problem. Teaching methods will be chosen in accordance with the content to be communicated. For example, new material may be introduced in short presentations by subject matter experts or through videos, then discussed in teams or by the entire course, and then applied in the creative project work. The group-level feedback meetings ('coachings') help to ensure that all materials have been understood and applied correctly (including potential adaptations). Accordingly, a large share of learning will occur through you preparing individually and in groups for the workshop days and coaching sessions. Required skills will further be showcased through the final presentation (with feedback) and possibly a report (feedback upon request). We strongly encourage you to take notes yourselves. We may also ask you to conduct exercises as we speak.