Life Design, Creative Writing, and Alternative Futures

In this program we will study human-centered design in the context of our own holistic lives. We will practice human-centered design through writing and storytelling, internal and external research and reflection, and prototyping as we envision different scenarios for our own futures. We’ll read creative nonfiction and fiction, discuss and learn about writing craft, and generate original works. Concepts in life design will include sunk costs, “FOMO” (fear of missing out) about paths not taken, cultural dimensions, ambition, individualism, community building and more. We’ll pay special attention to the need for having many choices when designing our lives and stories, and work towards expanding our possibilities for both. We’ll explore and interrupt the myth that one must choose a single path, career, or story. Concepts in creative writing, to name a few, will include narrative structure, characterization, use of objects and images, musicality, and ways to generate a “page turner” (in both our lives and writing). This will include a number of life elements, such as work, relationships, and community, as well as mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual facets of living. We’ll pay special attention to developing our own unique voices as well as the sometimes fraught, often joyful, but undeniably transformative process of authoring on the page and in our lives.

If you are interested in design, creative writing, creative entrepreneurship, and/or building community, this program is for you. We will meet entirely online Monday and Wednesday evenings.