DSN 40 — Design for Play: Turning Ideas into Meaningful Action
Quarter: Summer
Instructor(s): Brendan Boyle
Date(s): Jun 26—Aug 14
Class Recording Available: No
Class Meeting Day: Thursdays
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 6:30—8:20 pm (PT)
Tuition: $465
Refund Deadline: Jun 28
Unit(s): 1
Enrollment Limit: 45
Status: Open
Play is a powerful catalyst for creativity, connection, and resilience. At a time when so much information around us feels overwhelming, this course explores how play can transform the way we design products, services, and experiences, making them more engaging and impactful. Taught by a Stanford d.school instructor and toy inventor, this course—adapted from a popular offering for Stanford undergraduates—explores how a playful mindset fuels creativity and drives productive thinking, leading to the best ideas. Working collaboratively using interactive workshops and creative prototyping, participants will experiment with playful thinking to solve real-world design challenges while learning to infuse their work with joy, trust, and engagement. Along the way, we will examine how play drives innovation in industries from education to healthcare. Open to all experience levels, this course provides practical strategies for moving from abstract ideas to tangible designs—whether you’re building a toy, designing an app, or reimagining a customer experience.